CHAPTER 10: LOST YET FOUND, AGAIN

Another week has passed since the incident in the rooftop. Lee was sent to the hospital because of a little fracture on his leg. Sasuke still didn't come to school again. Naruto absented himself; well actually, Sakura wanted him not to go to school because of his bruises. And luckily, Kiba agreed to come with Sakura after school. And starting the day after, Sakura and Naruto would visit Lee every now and then. Sakura would tell stories of what happened in school. She would give some of her notes to him to catch up from their lessons. In the middle of their happiness, Naruto would try to force a smile despite his jealousy over Lee. But after some moments, he would realize that being Sakura's best friend was much better than anything else. He realized that Sakura knew him as much as he knew her. They knew each other like siblings do. And that was enough for him.

And as the weekend started, Sakura decided to spend the whole day teaching Lee lessons he missed. She told Naruto not to come if he doesn't. But Naruto still wanted.

"Oh, c'mon. Naruto, I'm in the hospital. Why would he be there? Besides, Lee's there and thousands of doctors are. Don't worry about me."

That was Sakura's line as she tried to convince Naruto to "go on and be free" with his friends. Well, Naruto didn't want Sakura to beg on the floor just like what he said when they first met. And so, the result? Sakura went to the hospital alone. Poor Naruto…

And so, as the weekend continued, Naruto was walking outside to a place he didn't know and didn't care. He just wanted to walk…

As he walked through the alley, he noticed people walking with him. Children like kindergarten, teens, nerds, gals that hang out together, grannies that walk their dogs… but what caught his eyes were a couple of lovers that held hands and had arms over their shoulders. He watched them laugh together, how he wished that Sakura and he were like that. And he jumped at a sight of seeing another couple kiss each other.

W-wait! Sakura-chan and I aren't gonna go that far… he looked at them again. …right?

As he was distracted with his thought, his eyes caught something that he never wanted to see again.

He growled at the sight.

It was none other than Uchiha Sasuke… He was also walking around too, like Naruto. He was just across the street. And as he felt he was being stared at, Sasuke looked at his direction. Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other with a reuniting anger from their last battle. But when Naruto remembered what Sakura told her after that, he calmed himself. But then, shock came to his spines when he saw Sasuke coming towards him.

And when they were close enough…

"Wh-what do you want, bastard?" Naruto asked him.

"Where's your useless girlfriend, dope?" Sasuke asked back.

"Hey, don't you dare call her 'useless'!! And she's not my g-girlfriend…" Naruto blushed at the last sentence.

"Whatever. Where is she?" Sasuke asked again, still emotionless.

"Wh-why? She's…she's in the hospital?" Naruto answered. He didn't really want to answer that question. Besides, what does he have to know about his Sakura-chan, right?

"Bring me to her."

"What?! Why? Are you gonna hurt her again? If you dare to-"

"I'm not going to hurt her, idiot. I just wanna…ask her something." Sasuke looked away at the last part.

"Well, she can't. She's with bushy-brow. I'm sorry…" Naruto grunted. "Besides, what're you gonna ask her about?"

"I can't say it here. If she can't, maybe you can. You're her best friend, right?"

"Y-yeah."

"Then come with me."

Sasuke didn't wait for an answer. Naruto wanted to object but he couldn't do anything anymore. He might go straight to the hospital if he didn't come with him, so he did.

Naruto was a little familiarized with the road they were taking. It was the direction where they, Sakura and him, had their picnic. He wondered at the same time why Sasuke was suddenly "curious" about his best friend. He wanted to ask him, but maybe, he thought, it might be better to ask him when they stop walking. It was also amazing that Naruto could control his anger while following Sasuke. And as they stopped at the same spot of their picnic venue, Sasuke went to face his back to Naruto and started talking…

"I just want you to answer this question, dope. It's not something that'll hurt her or you. All I want is you to answer…" Sasuke started.

Naruto nodded with a bit of wonder.

"Why is she so…weird in things? I mean, she's afraid of me, right? Then why'd she suddenly…yesterday? It just doesn't make any sense."

Is this really Sasuke? Is this really the same bastard I saw yesterday? Naruto asked himself as he heard Sasuke's tone in his question.

"Answer me, blonde!" Sasuke shouted with impatience.

"W-well, I…I don't understand either…" Naruto answered.

"What do you mean?" Sasuke said as he slowly turned around. "You're her best friend, right? How could you not know? Others basically accuse you as her boyfriend."

Naruto jumped at Sasuke's last sentence. "I…I mean… There are things I can't tell you. I promised not to. They're secrets…"

"This is why I want that girl to be the one to answer…" Sasuke whispered. Naruto heard him.

"Well, I'm sorry, Sasuke-bastard. But Sakura-chan doesn't want to see you. And I know that. Even if she isn't with that bowler-head, I'm sure she'll just reject your invitation, even if you beg." Naruto said.

"I know that. You think I'm that idiotic as you are?"

Naruto growled again. "Are you going to ask anything else? I should go back."

"Take me with you." Sasuke suddenly said.

It looked like he was begging, which was impossible since it's Sasuke we're talking about, for crying out loud! Have you ever imagined Sasuke begging?

--

"Say, 'Aah…'"

"Mmm… Oh, it's very delicious Sakura-san!"

"Eheh, thank you."

It was lunchtime and Sakura was feeding Lee. Sakura wasn't insecured with what she was doing and Lee wasn't at all too. She just blushed whenever he would compliment her with her cooking. Lee was fine, more than fine when Sakura's there. And Sakura didn't mind tutoring him this weekend.

"Oh, Sakura-san. I think my strength is coming back!" Lee said as he showed his biceps with his other arm.

"Mou, Lee-san! Ahahah!" Sakura laughed. Of course, she was flattered. She knew that Lee meant that Sakura's cooking was making him stronger.

And then, Lee's aura suddenly became serious and Sakura stopped laughing.

"Lee-san?"

"Sakura-san." He took Sakura's hands altogether. "Please let me say this but…"

"Yes?"

Sakura could notice Lee's hesitation from his words. He was nervous at his words. Sakura thought of it strange since he said the same line over and over again. Why pick now to be nervous? Isn't he used to it?

Lee gulped. "I want to…ask you something very important…"

"What is it?"

"I…um, is it…" he gulped again, feeling a sweat trickle down his head. "Is it true…about…"

"Lee-san, what is it?"

"Is it true that you and Naruto are a couple now?!"

"Eh?"

Lee felt more nervous as he blurted out his question. He felt nervous for the reason from Sakura's answer. He waited for her answer, nervous as ever. He wanted a clear answer. He wanted to know if his most important girl in the world was already taken and if his flowers were for nothing.

But in his mind, if ever she was, he would still accept her and the person who took her away. All he wanted was her happiness and that's all that count.

And so…

"Pfft!"

"Wha?"

Sakura burst out laughter after what Lee asked. Little tears were forming at her eyes as she let it out like nothing was in front of her… Crazy…

"S-Sakura-san, why are you laughing? I was serious." Lee said with a blush.

"Eheh…sigh…Oh, Lee-san. You're just like Naruto, you know that?" Sakura said as she finished laughing.

"Huh? Wh-why?"

"Lee-san," she inhaled deeply. "Naruto and I have something special, but I know and it's certainly not that kind. We're best friends! We look like siblings, you know? We hold hands because we're friends, not that crazy "couple" thing everyone's talking about. Yes, I admit. Naruto and I are, well, "together" isn't the right. Maybe…we do look like we're serious about each other, but we're certainly not going that far, Lee-san… Naruto's just trying to protect me, that's all. And I understand why… And now, do you understand, Lee-san?"

Lee was dumbstruck. He didn't actually believe that Sakura and Naruto weren't dating. Good for him…

"R-really? You mean it?" he asked with brightness in his eyes.

"I told you, didn't I?"

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Lee said as he kept kissing Sakura's hand.

"Eheh…" Sakura sweat dropped.

And then, three knocks were heard from the door. Lee and Sakura let go and Sakura opened the door and in her surprise, it was Naruto.

"Naruto?" Lee and Sakura gasped at the same time.

"H-hey, Sakura-chan. C…can I talk to you for a minute?" Naruto said.

"O-of course." She turned to Lee, "This'll take just a minute, 'kay?"

Naruto and Sakura went outside and shut the door completely.

"What is it, Naruto?"

"There's someone who wants to talk to you…" Naruto said as he scratched his head.

As Naruto turned to his side, Sakura's eyes widened with shock and fear as she saw a person she never expected to see: Uchiha Sasuke.

"Na…Naruto…" Sakura tried to breathe from her horrific scene.

"Sakura-chan, I know what you think but… He's not gonna hurt you, I promise."

"Wh…what is he doing here?" Sakura tried to choke.

"I want to talk to you. Privately." Sasuke answered.

"Why?" Sakura asked back.

"Sakura-chan, let me explain…" Naruto said as he backed Sakura farther away from Sasuke.

Sasuke could hear Naruto's explanation. But it wasn't much of an explanation since Sasuke won't tell much. When Naruto finished talking, before they could turn to Sasuke, Sakura glanced over her shoulder to see him. He wasn't as fearful as he looked before, and it made Sakura calm a little. But talking to Uchiha Sasuke, as in the "worst guy in the world", isn't going to change the fact that he is going to talk to her. And privately? Why? Why not just say to her the word and break her apart in the public where she'd be more comfortable and such?

"Understand?" Naruto asked.

Sakura stopped for a second and then looked at Naruto. "Stay with Lee, please." she whispered. And Naruto nodded.

Naruto glanced to Sasuke too. And before he left, he hugged Sakura tight it made Sasuke jump a little.

"Naruto…"

"I just want you to know that whenever something goes wrong, just call me…" He pulled away and looked at her with a smile. "…and I'll be there."

"Thanks, Naruto."

And as soon as Naruto walked away and entered the room, Sakura slowly looked to Sasuke again with anxiety in her chest. Now what's he gonna do? Sasuke glared at her and understood that their conversation could start any time. So he walked to a direction and Sakura understood that he wants her to follow. And so she did…

Sasuke and Sakura went to a stairway and went upstairs. Sakura was silent the whole time and Sasuke too. Their talk barely started, as their footsteps were the only sounds in the staircase.

As Sakura read the sign "rooftop" at the last floor, Sasuke opened the door and the two entered. No one minded to close the door as the wind automatically shut it close. And as Sasuke walked near at the edge, Sakura didn't walk any further near him. And so, Sasuke started.

"Hey." Sasuke called Sakura.

"Wh-what is it, Uchiha-san?" Sakura answered.

"You'll listen, won't you?" Sasuke asked again.

"Y-yes."

Sasuke turned around to look at Sakura. Sakura didn't notice since she was looking down.

Are you happy now?!

Not yet, my dear Sasuke.

Sasuke was doing this unusual thing for his weird conscience. He wanted it to stop and shut it like before. And he would do anything for that to happen, but what the conscience was asking was far too much for Sasuke to do. But he had no choice…

Now what?!

Do what I told you yesterday and that's it! I guess…

What do you mean, "I guess…"?

There might be additions as this day pass by, heheh!

OH, I AM GONNA KILL YOU IF YOU ADD SOMETHING DAMN WRONG!!!

I never do anything wrong, Sasuke.

Grrr!!!

C'mon! Do it already! She's waiting, you know.

"Don't ever tell this to anyone…" Sasuke murmured as his head was looking down so Sakura couldn't see his face.

Sakura nodded.

"Tomorrow…" his voice was still hesitating, somewhat like choking. "I'm going to…go back to…school…"

"Eh?" Sakura looked up in surprise. "Wh-why?"

Sakura couldn't believe it. Why was he coming to school? Was it because of her? Wait, but why her? There were so many questions on her head. But she couldn't ask him. She might trigger a word again…

"It's not you…if that's something you're thinking. This is my decision. Nothing more." Sasuke continued, still not looking at her.

"B…but why are…" It felt weird for her talking to Sasuke like this, like nothing happened between them. She gulped and continued, "Why are you telling me this?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you…"

"O…okay…" Sakura looked down again. She managed to half-smile despite that she was talking to Sasuke Uchiha. Maybe this would change the way they look at each other now.

"But…"

"Huh?" She looked up. But maybe she was wrong…

"If ever you slap me again…" he looked to Sakura with a smirk still in a non-friendly way. "…I might be able to punch you like what you said back then."

And Sakura finally smiled completely in front of Sasuke. She nodded feeling hope on her side again. Finally, she felt that maybe, just maybe, deep down inside of him, Sasuke might think of her the she thinks of him: friends. A new friendship might've built inside of her that moment that made her forget the days that felt like she was in the deepest depths of hell.

Sasuke felt a little relieved too, which made him wonder why as he saw Sakura's smiling face. It was true. What his stupid conscience told him was true. Her face was truly like an angel. It erased his memories of sobs and tears behind and in front of him. And for he thought back then, he could no longer hear his conscience. It made him more confident that everything was well. As long as he could keep up what he was doing, maybe that "thing" might really vanish from his mind. And so…

"Th-thank you, Uchiha-san." Sakura said to him, retaining that angel-like smile.

Then, Sasuke felt a little awkward with the scene so he cleared his throat and erased his "almost-gonna-be-friendly" smirk. "Well, I…outta be going now."

Sakura was still smiling, feeling the new friendship they've built. Sasuke was feeling more awkward as he walked slowly towards her direction. Sakura thought he was coming in front of her, but even if he didn't, she was still smiling behind him.

Before he could turn the doorknob of the door, he looked back at Sakura's back and felt a familiarity on her. It wasn't the same way he looked at her, but in an odd way, he felt that she was a person worth meeting. Especially, he stared at the way her hair swayed by the wind. It was the part that would send his spine something weird…like he met that hair before…

But he shook his head in disbelief. Sakura and Sasuke have never met before, just these days…

Sasuke went inside the door and continued downstairs…

And Sakura…

Well, let's just say that tears started leaking out again. And this time, she wouldn't be considering herself crazy anymore. As she cried, her smile still shined on her face. She felt joy and happiness replace all those fears that she kept in her chest. She could finally smile whenever Sasuke's there. She could laugh whenever he's there. She could talk without any hesitation whenever he's there. She could finally feel as free as a bird. And she could finally feel…useful…to him.

"You're useless!"

No more cold words from now on.

No more…