Chapter 8:

Promise

(Part I)

The breeze blew through the thin branches of the cherry blossom trees lining one after another. Konoha's one and only hospital was now at sight – as I walked past a few old people whom I exchanged good mornings with.

I took my time since I knew that wouldn't be late for anything on a weekend but I was terribly wrong. I never knew what awaited me behind those doors.

I finally reached the floor of the room which was unexpectedly quiet, until I took a turn at the far corner of my right where I saw police men, Doctors, Nurses and a few civilians gathered infront of my bestfriend's room. I rushed to see what it was that made my heart beat ten times as fast as it normally did.

"What happened?

"Murder?"

"Poor girl"

"She was still too young"

No. It can't be. It just can't be! She was perfectly fine last night! How… did this happen?

And there it was… Ino lied there peacefully with her eyes shut tight and with a white blanket over her face that was painted red with the colour of blood.

I fell down on my knees; shocked on the scene that has laid infront of me.

"Sakura are you alright?" a voice asked.

I turned around and without even realizing it, I've ran into that persons arms. I'd dug my face on Sasuke's chest and I was crying – a lot.

Hours have passed since Ino's death yet I was still in deep shock and depression. We sat on the nearest bench that was allocated just a few strides across the room.

"Look, maybe I can't really help with how you are feeling right now but, you can count on me anytime…" he reached out for my phone that was barely sticking out of my pocket; it made me jump a little.

"Here… I've put my number on speed dial so, just call me and I'll be there okay? That's…" he paused "what friends are for right?" he muttered.

I let out a smile and poked the sides of his face.

"Thanks…" I said.

Ino was more than a friend to me. She was a part of my family – I treasured her more than anything in my life, even of my sister's. She was everything but the loss of your loved ones can be filled by your friends' right? I didn't have anyone when my whole clan was massacred but now that I have…

"Hey Sasuke… Promise me that you'll stay by my side no matter what happens. And this time I mean it" I stuck my pinky out into a curve like shape in the air. He smiled and clung his pinky onto mine and said,

"Promise"

I know I got hurt the last time from doing this exact same thing I did a few years ago but this time, if it ever goes wrong again, I wouldn't have anyone to blame for my pain but myself.

Few weeks have passed and I ended up not celebrating my own birthday.

"Hey did you hear about Yamanaka Ino?"

"Yeah I know, too bad huh?" they chuckled.

"Try saying that infront of my face again jerks!" I wailed as I suddenly grabbed one of the idiots by the collar. Kiba, who was also about to give these guys a beating, placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "Stop making a big fuss out of this. You already know that these idiots don't have brains. You don't have to point it out to them."

"Oi-" one blurted, but was stopped by Kiba's intense glare.

"Ki-"

"Just shut the hell up already!" he snapped.

Everyone turned silent.

"You're not the only one who wants to beat the crap out of these bastards…" he spoke once more.

Everyone's gazes were now directed straight at us. Like they were the innocent ones glaring like a child who's nearly about to cry.

There was an agonizing silence until…

"Good morning every- what the heck happened in here?" shouted Suigetsu.

No one made any movement nor dare speak a word.

"O…kay? Well this is kinda awkward…" he spoke again as he shuffled his way to his seat with Sasuke and Karin. Me and the others have also shifted our way to our seats. Ibuki-sensei arrived right after the commotion and started the class straight away.

I couldn't help but notice Kiba's weird movement these following days. He was no longer the cheerful yet cool guy that had all the joyful spirit in the world. He was now starting to be mysteriously silent. He still came to school every day like he normally does but he rarely speaks to anyone anymore… It was just different.

Hours flew by so quickly without Ino being here. There weren't any gossip reports going through and past my ears anymore. There was nothing. Nothing at all. My world seemed to have been muted. Everyone moved in slow motion and my head was spinning 'round.

It hurts… It still hurts…

The next thing I knew, I had been laid flat on a bed which looked like the Infirmary room.

What am I doing here?

"Oh you're finally up" a voice intruded. It was the school nurse.

"What exactly-"

"Oh you kind of fainted in class about 3 hours ago"

"Oh" were the only words that escaped my pale lips. I pulled myself up into a sitting position to get a much clearer view of the place. I didn't care about class at that moment, all I wanted was for time to pass as fast as it could. I too, had lost all the encouragement and inspiration that I once had.

"By the way, the Uchiha came to pay you a little visit earlier… ooh and the Student Council Pres. Too!"

Sasuke visited me? What? Sai too? Double, what?

Sasuke doesn't sound like a person who would visit someone who just fainted but I guess that's because we had just made up and maybe because we're friends again? But Sai, why would he even bother? It's like seeing a unicorn flying by while taking a dump. Yes. It is very unusual.

"So what did Mr. President want?" I asked sarcastically.

"I don't think he wanted anything in particular, he just looked straight at me and headed to where you were, muttered some words and smiled farewell. Same with the Uchiha but with less smiling and muttering of words. Though, he did ask if you were fine now."

I slid back down into a lying position and covered my body with the blanket.

"Is that so…" I replied, as I dozed off quietly in my sleep.

"Sakura…

Sakura…

Sakura!"

A voice echoed the place. Repeating. Repeating my name. An image no – a shadow that stood a few yards away from me shaped a figure of a man. The face was darkened and I couldn't even tell if it was a he, or a she. Though the smile had shown very brightly; too bright even. It's hands stretched out to my direction. It was coming closer to me. I stumbled while I walked backwards trying to get away from it.

It was getting closer…

"No"

It is about to get me…

"No get away from me!"

I screamed but no one could hear me. I scanned the place as I tried to escape from this never ending nightmare.

The place was white. Just plain white. There was nothing there but me, the shadow, and the dead bodies that were scattered around the place. With fresh blood still oozing out of the bodies – it filled me with disgust but also, with fear that I might be the next victim.

"You're next" it grinned.

"Nooo!" I screamed

I stood up and saw the stillness of the room Water particles that came out from the pores of my skin dripped down my shirt as I hyperventilated.

"A-A Dream…"

I grabbed my school bag and bolted out of the room not seeing the brood figure infront of me.

A sudden thump hit me and was then sent flying down the floor.

"Ow! What the heck – Sasuke?"

-End of Promise Part 1-


Okay... Time for the Author's comments!...

Hm, I am so very sorry everyone... I think that every single time I upload a chapter I always apologize… Anyway, I know I was supposed to upload this chapter like, last week I think? But failed… I am moving to a different place (Moving house and town/city ad also school) and I don't know… Summer holiday's next week! But I don't think that I would be writing :P I have my reasons… I have lots to do this summer… And again, I am very sorry for the delayed upload!

Thank you for keeping up with my laziness everyone…!

P.S oh and there's two parts of this chapter that's why this chapter ended like a WTF to everyone and there are also no POV's. That is because, there is a part 2…