WOW...87 reviews...must I say how much I love you guys now? . Okay..I know the last chapter was short, but maybe this one will be longer, hehe. Sorry for the really really really long delay...something...bad came up.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, but neither do you :P
Chapter 10: Press Coverage
Two days passed after Sasuke's operation. He mostly slept, and he ate, but his eyes never opened. Itachi thought Sasuke left his eyes closed so he won't have to see Sakura's expression on her face when she saw him in this condition. If fact, it was true. Sasuke did not want Sakura to see him so beaten and battered. His body ached but slowly it was recovering. Once in a while, his head would hurt but with the pills he started taking, the head ache would disappear. As for the pink headed singer, she was fine now. Although she was still in the hospital, today would be her discharge day. Sai had tried to move her out of Sasuke's and her own room, but Sakura said she wanted to stay in this room.
Room 238 was their room. Sasuke and Sakura would share this room as long as they were together. Sai still had not figured out of their relationship. When Sai had gone home to take a shower, Nina, Sasuke's parents, Itachi, and Serina, all told Sakura that Nina knew already and that she was okay with it.
"Nina...why aren't you mad at me though? I sort of stole your boyfriend..." Sakura said sadly in her white bed. Her clothes consisted of a new sun dress only this one was a forest green color with two pink buttons on the thick straps. Serina had brought Sakura some clothes so she wouldn't have to walk around in a paper dress in the hospital.
"There is no reason to be mad Sakura," Nina said sweetly while smiling. Even her eyes held a smile which made Sakura feel better about the issue. "Sasuke and I were not meant to be. You and Sasuke are much better for each other in my opinion Sak." Nina reasoned. Sakura got up slowly from her bed and walked over to the blacked hair girl. With all her might, Sakura embraced the girl.
"Thank you Nina...I love you my friend..." Sakura said softly. Nina smiled as she hugged Sakura back. "No problem Sak, just make sure you know how to break it to Sai." Nina reminded. Sakura stopped their hug.
"Crap..." Sakura said aloud. Itachi poked his head out from the other side of the curtain that was put up in between the two beds.
"Crap what?" Itachi said. Sakura, Nina, and Serina sweat-dropped.
"You are unbelievable Itachi..." Serina sighed as she shook her head. Itachi looked at his pregnant wife. "Sakura has to tell Sai-" "Tell Sai what?" A deep voice said. Sai entered into the room, looking refreshed and confused. Sakura quickly turned to Sai.
"I-I'm going to tell you that maybe we should change the wedding date." Sakura lied quickly. It was true though. The wedding would be in three days, and with Sakura just coming out of a hospital it would be to hard to go straight into a wedding. "I just got out of the hospital, a-and I'm still a bit shocked from it." Sakura told Sai. He nodded, completely understanding.
"So maybe in April we should have the wedding?" Sai suggested. Sakura bit her lip but nodded. She smiled, it was fake though.
"April sounds...nice." Sai smiled and hugged his soon to be wife. Suddenly, everyone in the room heard a groan come from a certain someone.
"Sasuke!" Mikoto shouted. She started to stroke her son's pale face. His eyes slowly opened, which showed invisible black spots in the room so far. It took his eyes a few moments before they adjusted to the bright lights and many people. His eyes traveled from his mother, to his father, to Itachi, Nina, Serina, Sai, and lastly Sakura.
His lover who was now standing in front of her bed white a hand covering her mouth. Her eyes held serenity and calmness. She slowly removed her hand and smiled at the recovering Uchiha. Sakura wanted to run into his arms and hug the lad, but with Sai in the room, she'd have to keep like a stranger to Sasuke.
"Finally awake bro?" Itachi smirked. Sasuke looked at his brother and weakly smirked back.
"Now, you don't think a car crash is gunna let me die now did you?" Sasuke replied. Itachi chuckled. Mikoto was on the edge of tearing again as she fiercely hugged Sasuke. Fugaku smiled and crossed his arms. He knew Sasuke would stay alive long enough to be together with that Sakura girl. Nina was relieved that he was okay and feeling much better. She smiled and shifted her eyes to a certain artist.
Sai's face was blank. He did not like Sasuke as much as everyone else did. Sasuke had been the one to save Sakura, and for that Sai was deeply grateful. He however, wanted to be Sakura's hero. Nina's eyes turned back to Sasuke. She then thought of a brilliant idea.
"Hey," She said, catching everyone's attention. "would anyone care to come with me into the lunch room?" Perfect. Now Serina, Itachi, Mikoto, and Fugaku would take that hint to leave Sakura and Sasuke alone, but Sai would probably be hungry right about now, so he'd have to come with them.
"I'll go."
"Sure."
"Why not."
"Okay."
"Sure I guess." Sai said as he looked between Sakura and Nina.
"Great, well, Sakura, Sasuke, we'll be eating our lunch while you guys can enjoy yours in silence." Nina said as the five of them left. Sai gave Sakura a chaste kiss on the forehead and left with them to go eat. They'd be gone for about an hour, giving Sakura and Sasuke the perfect quality time.
"Sasuke..." Sakura whispered as the door finally closed and she was alone with Sasuke. The said man looked at her and weakly ushered for her to come towards him. Sakura approached her love. Now she would tell him. She sat down beside Sasuke and kissed his cheek. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"You didn't have to jump in the way." Sakura said. She closed her eyes as did Sasuke.
"If I didn't jump, you'd be in my situation right now, or even dead." He muttered.
"But look what you've got yourself into now." Sakura whispered harshly.
"It doesn't matter. As long as your alive, I'll be okay." He replied. Sakura sighed. They held each other in silence for a while until Sakura began speaking again.
"Remember how stubborn you were when I first met you." Sakura giggled. Sasuke thought back to the memory of him moving her stuff to Sai's house. He was a cocky and rude bastard, but that cause he thought otherwise of Sakura. He though she'd be all over him like most girls, but she's not.
"You were so loud and annoying." He teased. Sakura giggled some more.
"Well, we were both annoying and stubborn, but that's what got us together." Sakura said.
"Speaking of us being together, when do you plan on telling Sai? He might find out eventually through bad circumstances and you don't want that to happen." Sasuke warned. Sakura looked shocked at Sasuke's words.
"Since when did you get so sentimental?!"
"I'm in a hospital, wrapped up like a mummy. Now don't change the subject."He retorted.
"I-I don't know Sasuke. It's too heart breaking to watch Sai be heart broken." Sakura muttered. The raven haired man sighed.
"Well, better do it quick, I hear your wedding is now in April." Sasuke said.
"I know...but Sasuke," Sakura's voice was weak and soft. "If I can't be with you, I'll feel so alone..."Her voice cracked and her closed eyes released tears.
"I don't ever want to be alone. I always thought loneliness was a fairytale, a myth. Just to me though. I've never loved someone as much as I do you, that's why, I love you Sasuke. I want to spend the rest of my days with you, discovering new facts or learning new things. I need to be yours, but Sai is holding me back..." Sakura confessed. The tears rolled down her face. Sasuke brought his right hand to her face and with his thumb, he rubbed the tears away.
"Tears do not suit you at all Sakura. Don't worry, I'll always be right here, waiting..." Sasuke said as he embraced her in a long hug.
-X- Sakura's P.O.V.
It's a whole new day, and Tsunade and I are going to meet to discuss my last album, Fateful Love.
"Hello Tsunade." I greeted warmly. She smiled back and hugged me.
"How are you feeling?" My manager asked.
"Much, much better." I said and smiled.
"You know, your situation much reminded me of when Dan died...but that was a long time ago. Now I have that pervert Jiraiya." She joked. I laughed a bit. I remember Dan. He was really nice, but a car crash killed him. What would have happened if that car crash killed Sasuke? Would I just move on like Tsunade, or would I have mourned his death? I shook that thought out of my head. Sasuke's alive, and he would not leave this world yet.
"Anyway, let's discuss the last album, correct?"
"Yes." I said. Tsunade showed me the CD cover of my album. It had the signature pink petals with my name in pink cursive letters in the corner. The cover had a picture of me, wearing a satin white gown, that was strapless. The dress was long and dragged a bit. My back was facing the camera and my head was slightly turned so you could see my face. My hair was curled during this photo shoot. Around me in this picture was multiple flowers. Roses, carnations, tulips. You name it, that flower was on the cover. The cd held twelve songs. Some hit singles, while others yet to be discovered.
"I'm think it's time to retire even if I'm at the age of twenty-two. I've made goals in my life, and I've accomplished them all. Now, my only goal is to marry one man and start a family with him." I stated. Tsunade nodded her head.
"Then this works out perfectly, because I'm taking on a job as head doctor in Konoha. Chiyo is giving me the position seeing as I performed well on Sasuke and yourself." I smiled for Tsunade as I embraced her.
"That's wonderful Tsunade! You'll make an excellent doctor, hehe." I laughed as she tagged along.
"I'll miss ole' Kunoichi Records, but I have to sell it for a bit of extra cash." Tsunade teased. I rolled my eyes. Looks like shes still the money loving gal I know and love.
"You know what, I'll miss Kunoichi Records too..." I said as I looked around the recording room we were in. This was my first recording room, my first real profession, and now, it going to be gone. But hey, Kunoichi Records will always be with me.
-X-
Now, I'm standing in front of a podium where Tsunade and I have both decided to announce the end of Haruno Sakura and Kunoichi Records. I stand before at least a hundred people. In the crowd is Sasuke's family, Nina, and my friends. Behind me are Tsunade and Sai. Sai and I decided to tell everyone that our wedding would not be on my birthday anymore as well during this conference. As my eyes scanned the crowd, I noticed Sasuke! He was sitting in a chair, slightly smiling at me. I can't believe he came to this!! I have to focus on the conference though.
"Hello everyone." I said into the microphone. Bright lights flashed on me as people clapped and said hello back.
"My manager Tsunade," I motioned towards Tsunade as she waved. "and I have been thinking about closing Kunoichi Records." Murmurs erupted in the crowd. "Not only will Kunoichi Records be gone, I'll also retire from my singing career as well." Gasps and more murmurs appeared. I sighed away from the mic.
"I know; it's a big shock that I'm retiring at such an early age, but I have other goals in my life to fulfill. Tsunade also has her own goals to accomplish as well." I told the crowd. My eyes shifted to Sasuke once again. Our eyes locked with each other until my blond manager coughed to get my attention back on the awaiting crowd.
"My third and final album, Fateful Love will be released on May 18th." Mnay people began cheering, for I had planned to release this album on July 5, but I changed my mind.
"However, there is only twelve songs. Each song had a hidden message within it. Like Serious is my hit single for Fateful Love, the song has a meaning to it. Not only should a girl, or even a boy listen and pay attention to the lyrics, but I recommend thinking about your special someone." I caste my eyes to the left where I saw Sai smiling at me and then I moved my eyes towards Sasuke. Now, it was my turn to think about this song and my special someone.
"Along with the cd is a special journal, or diary entry of thoughts about my past. Twelve journal entries for twelve special moments. Some are about my sister leaving to head off to a boarding school when I was eight years old. Another is when my parents died. Some are sad while others are joyous." I said aloud.
"Some entries even talk about...my love life." I admitted. Sai looked shocked as did everyone else. In one journal entry, I wrote about Sasuke. Sai of course had not seen this entry, nor any other love entry. I looked in between Sai and Sasuke once again. I knew I had to annouce the date of the wedding now, but I-I can't say it...
"Sakura, why don't you tell them our wedding date!" Sai exclaimed behind me. I gulped. Now, came the part where I froze on the spot. I can't do it. I can't say two little words...
"Everyone, the wedding date for Sai and I, is...April," I paused. Everyone was looking at me intensely. Why...why...why.
I can't do this anymore.
I can't take it anymore.
I have to end the lies,
the secrets,
I have to tell Sai and everyone else the truth.
"I'm sorry everyone, but I can't do this anymore." I said loudly into the mic. Sai looked at me with confused eyes. I turned to Sai. "I'm sorry Sai, but I can't marry you anymore..." I dropped my head. Gasps once again were heard. I looked at Sai and saw in face in shock.
"W-why?" He asked me. His voice sounded shaky, but I knew he was angry.
"Because, I don't love you anymore..." I whispered to him. The room was quiet enough for everyone to hear me. Boy would this surely make the six o'clock news tonight.
"What! You have to love. You are mine Sakura, no one else can have you!" He yelled. I backed up a bit from his rage.
"I'm not yours anymore Sai! This was hard for me to figure out! Yes, we've shared our kisses, and yes we've shared our I-Love-Yous. But now, I can't love you the way you want me to. Can't you see, I love someone else, and he's in this room right now..." I shouted back. I was on the verge of crying. Sai's eyes filled with anger, something I had never seen from him. Quickly he scanned the room.
"Don't tell me it's that.." "Yes. I love Sasuke Uchiha now Sai, I'm sor-" "Shut the hell up!" He spat. My tears started falling.
"Why can't you accept the fact that I want to be with Sasuke now? Why can't you see that like the way Nina did?" I screamed. Sai adverted his eyes to Nina. I bet he's thinking why she wasn't mad when Sasuke told her.
"I'm different from Nina...I had more feeling for you than anyone Sakura." Sai said in a calm manner at last.
"But now I can't give you those feeling back. I know someone else who can, but she's to shy." I said. Sai shook his head.
"I don't care about that! You are to marry me April 8 and that's final." His voice deep and low.
"Why did you have to pick this date our of any other one though!? Why pick April 8th, the day my parents died? Is it to make me feel depressed or something? Would you like me feeling like shit on the wedding day!?" I yelled at him. I saw Sasuke stand up, with help from Itachi, as he was coming to the podium stand slowly.
"I picked that day because your parents told me to marry you and protect you before they died!! April 8th is the day I marry you, or else I'd be breaking your parents' promise." He argued back with me. I shook my head to dry my tears.
"Well, Sasuke's the one to protect me! I'm sorry Sai, but I have to go against my parents' words. I will not marry, for can't you see? We don't belong with each other..." I said calmly. Sai looked at me with a bit of hurt evident in his charcoal eyes. "Even if we were to get married, it would not be a happy marriage. No one would be happy, neither me, nor you, or anybody..."
"I know that now Sakura. I now see why you can't marry me. I'm just sorry it had to end this way..." Sai said as he saw Sasuke now behind me. Sai turned around and sprinted out of the room. I called after him but he didn't turn back.
"Sakura, I'll go after him!" I heard Nina yell. She waved at me as I nodded. Nina ran out of the room as well, she chased Sai. I turned around and hugged Sasuke tightly. He hugged me back weakly.
"Okay everyone, get out now! The press conference is over!" Tsunade yelled as everyone moaned but left the room in an orderly fashion.
At that moment, I cried. I cried on Sasuke's shoulder, but now, I cried with a bit of relief in me. Now, no more secrets would be kept...
-X- Normal P.O.V.
Nina chased after Sai as he ran all the way to Konoha's Park. He ran behind a sakura tree and slide down to the grassy ground. He clutched his head.
"How...how could she do this to me...why god...why!" Sai yelled. Nina finally found him and walked in front of him. She ebnt down to his level and embraced the frustrated young man.
"Sh...please Sai, I'm here for you. There is no need for you to be angry." She whispered into his ear. She tried to sooth him from the shock.
"How the hell are you not angry at those two?" He asked quietly.
"I've learned to not let anger and jealousy get the better of me. What good would it do if I was angry with Sasuke and Sakura? Would me being angry make them stop the affair? No, it wouldn't." Nina said, but she made a small smile at Sai.
"The are plenty more fish in the sea Sai. I know you've been with Sakura for about five or six years, but you have to admit, what if you did marry her? The marriage would not last, and no one would be happy." Nina said as she stopped the embrace. She looked at Sai directly in his eyes. "It's time to move on..." Were her last words. Nina closed her eyes as she leaned in.
Sai did not know what was happening, but slowly, his body leaned towards Nina's body as he kissed her for a minute. Slowly, the pain of loosing Sakura felt like it was being replaced with new love. But remember, love does not work so fast. Sai new at that moment his pain had been gone, even if for a minute. Nina might be right. Maybe it was time to move on and lead a whole new life. Without Sakura being his lover.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
I'M SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE!! I'm a bad person...but there were a few problems that had to deal with this week...gr. Well, this chapter kinda revolves around episode 109..Hehe!! Please review!! I added a wee bit of fluff too, hehe.