The main story of a side character: Haruno Sakura

by AnneElizabethBee

Sakura is tired of being the assisting role for her 2 "strong" teammates. As she's the only one to have never left the village,she decided to leave and go on a search of what more she can be. Travelling on an impossible quest of legends, she loses her past self in exchange of finding her true identity. She returns to Konoha without memories but with great surprising powers.

11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

A/N: Hi! Oh my gosh! I haven't updated for some time now! I'm sorry, the finals week just ended as of tonight. And I really focused a lot on my school so I admit that I kinda neglected this story for some time. But hey, I'm back! I'm gonna continue writing and enjoying the Naruto world again! I have so many plans for this story that I think I'm gonna burst.

I think I'm going to go back and edit some of the farewell scenes in chapter 10. But as of now, I'm really just laying out the story. Then when I have more time, I'll edit some more. Thank you for those who continue to appreciate the story! There was one who thought Kakashi and Brown were adorable. That's good because I did intend them to be that! So thank you I'm happy to work harder for you guys and of course, for myself. XD

Anyhoos, the next chapters would be about Sakura and Konoha, and her long road to remembering them. It will be some time again before she goes back to the West. So brace yourselves! Leggo chappie 11!

"Thank you Sakura san!" A shivering woman said, bowing before Sakura with tear stained cheeks. She sobbed softly as she rubbed the back of the baby in her arms to stop the little one from crying. "We owe you our life. My husband means everything to me and our baby!"

Sakura smiled kindly and wiped the sweat from her brows. "It was no problem at all. And it wasn't just me! It was the teamwork of me and the nurses! Hey guys, come on over!" Sakura turned and waved to the nurses who worked 10 hours with her inside the operating room. The nurses were surprised to be called, but they came with a shy smile on their faces. The woman gushed over all of them and offered them homemade cookies, inviting them for a humble meal at her home.

Tsunade grinned at the sight. Sakura really was such a sweet girl. Usually, it was always just the doctor who get the credit in these operations. And it was normal too if the doctor claimed that achievement. After all, they really were the ones who lead these operations. But not Sakura, evidently. She recognized everyone's hard work and shared the spotlight with all of them. That was why Sakura progressed so fast in the hospital. Everyone loved her and adored her because of her lively and sweet attitude. Everyone was willing to extend a helping hand.

Sakura had been staying at Konoha for one month now. Of course, Tsunade immediately suggested that Sakura should work at the hospital since the old Sakura had prided herself with being a medic nin, and even developed herself to be at par with Tsunade. Even this new Sakura said that the first thing she ever remembered was being a medic nin. Tsunade knew that having Sakura work at the hospital is the best way to regain her memories.

At first, Sakura was just working small jobs; assisting nurses, cleaning up in the operating rooms, observing people work around. But she immediately got the hang of things. One, because everyone really helped her, nurses teaching her about the basics, and doctors bringing her along for complicated procedures. But Second, Sakura's memories were triggered on her own. All the things they were doing at the hospital were things that the old Sakura already knew by heart. The new Sakura was realizing that fast. Her body would immediately just move as if she knew what to do. But more than that, she actually suddenly remembered what to do. All her past knowledge of being a medic just came back to her after working for some time in the hospital.

Because her expertise really surpass everyone at the hospital, after just mere 3 weeks of staying there, she was immediately promoted to being a doctor. Of course, the old Sakura was actually a doctor who is the head of a department she herself created; Konoha Children Mental Health Clinic, a department that specifically cared and focused on children with traumatic experiences, especially those who had to go through war at such a young age. That department was now handled by Ino ever since Sakura left the village. But that department had always been Sakura's own legacy.

But as of the moment, they were taking things slow due to her lost memories. But it seemed that her skills as a medic was coming back to her fast anyway, thus the fast promotion as well.

Sakura was now working as a doctor for a week now, and she had already undergone 5 successful operations that lasted for long hours. Tsunade couldn't help but grin at her gifted and hardworking student.

"Sakura." Tsunade called her, waving a hand to get her attention. Sakura turned to her and flashed her a big smile. She excused herself from the gushing woman and her nurses and walked towards Tsunade.

"Hi Shishou!" Sakura said, bowing to her mentor. "Is there another operation that needs to be handled?" Sakura looked at the files that Tsunade was holding in her arms. Tsunade laughed and shook her head.

"Seriously Sakura, you just finished a 10 hour operation. You want more?!" Tsunade said, smirking at her student.

Sakura frowned. "Well I'd be lying if I said I'm not tired. I really am. But I can always just absorb energy if there's another emergency. Life is worth exhaustion."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Yes, Sakura. You're a hero. Blah blah. But you have to know your limits. Besides, you're straying away from your purpose in staying in Konoha."

Sakura raised her brows, confused. Tsunade sighed. "You're supposed to be regaining your memories."

Sakura scratched her head. "Oh! Yeah. But I am doing that! I am remembering how to be a medic nin!"

"Yes, and I think you've done enough in that department. You've been working so hard at the hospital that you haven't really met your friends for some time." Tsunade said, frowning at her.

Sakura blinked. "But of course I wouldn't be meeting my friends. I have to stay in Konoha until I remember my memories."

Tsunade shook her head in exasperation. "No! I don't mean your friends at the West! I mean your friends here in Konoha!"

"Oh! Right!" Sakura laughed. "You're right. I don't see much of them now. But I thought we'll take things slowly."

Tsunade nodded. "And we are. That's why we started with your medic nin identity. But now you should reach out to your friends. Take a few days off from the hospital. Focus on going around Konoha. Don't pressure yourself though. Just….go around and appreciate things. I'd say it's better to do that after having some sake."

Sakura giggled and shook her head. She gazed up at her mentor, then flashes of memory flooded her head.

"I've heard from Kakashi that you're intelligent and that you have a strong spirit. Haruno Sakura, alright! From now on, I won't go easy on you!"

Sakura felt excited and thrilled, albeit a little scared as she faced her new mentor, Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin.

"O-Ok!" She said, enthusiastic but a little shy and nervous.

Then the scene changed.

"Wrong! The medical ninja should never be hit by the enemy's attacks. When you face an opponent's attack, evasion is the first priority."

Sakura blinked at Tsunade, shocked and confused. "But why?"

Tsunade sighed. "If the medical ninja were to die, who's there to treat the team members. Now I'm going to go all out and attack you. The training is to avoid all my attacks. I will not hold back."

Then Tsunade rushed towards her, eyes blazing, and fists ready.

The scene changed again.

"If we use byakugou together, we can probably summon 1/10 of katsuya's main body from the shikkotsu forest!" Tsunade turned to Sakura, beaming. "Let's go Sakura!" She exclaimed, determinedly. "Let's make Katsuyu into the alliance's foothold! Just by standing on her they will be able to recover."

Sakura nodded at Tsunade. "YES!" She was thrilled to be able to work side by side with her mentor, as if they were finally equals. But more than that, working together, they'd be able to save and heal everyone.

So together, they slammed their hands to the ground and yelled, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

The scene changed again.

Tsunade stood over Sakura with a proud smile on her face. She put a hand on her head and patted it affectionately.

"You did well." She told Sakura, her pride heard from her voice as she looked at the student who grew to a strong capable woman, from that skinny and clumsy girl she first met. Sakura looked up at her sensei, and felt tears welling up her eyes, but immediately held it.

Arigatou sensei, she thought.

Then Sakura snapped out of her trip down the memory lane. Sakura blinked, watching Tsunade who was still chuckling from her sake suggestion. Sakura smiled. Her memories had been coming back little by little, through random flashes of memories, as if the gates from her memory block were finally opening. From the long time she spent at the hospital, a lot of the flashes she got were from medic practices and of course, her sensei, Tsunade. She remembered that her sensei was a drunkard who liked to gamble, but always loses. Tsunade was also really hot tempered and she had an extremely heavy fist. But beneath all that, Tsunade was one of the most considerate and compassionate person you would ever meet.

Sakura was happy that her past self was able to get a person like Tsunade to teach her. In her new life, President Brown would really just give her random scrolls about being a shinobi, and then she'd have to learn it herself. Nobody taught her. Nobody guided her. It was all her. She was happy to know that she was indeed taken care of in Konoha, and that she had a wonderful teacher.

"Okay shishou. I guess I'll be resting for the next days. Mmmm…but I won't take the sake suggestion. Alcohol and I don't go very well together."

Tsunade laughed. "Oh well. You got everything from me, and you even surpassed me at some levels. But you just can't inherit the drunkard-ness and the gambling from me."

Sakura giggled. "I'll take that as a compliment?"

"Nope." Tsunade shook her head. "You're missing the best things in life. You should be insulted."

Sakura shook her head. She threw one last sweet smile at Tsunade and walked back to the nurses and the woman. The nurses rushed towards her, giggling at something, while the woman laughed along, scratching her head as if embarrassed about something.

Tsunade shrugged, turning away and walking to her office. Sakura would be alright. Actually, Sakura was so much better now. There was something about the Sakura who came back that seemed so much stronger. She was more carefree. The fire in her eyes was hotter. She was more confident and she was so much more open. If anything, it seemed like losing her memories had been for the best. Of course, her little adventure had to end at some time. It was time for her to come home and embrace everything that her life was, and combine it with what her life is now.

The next day.

Sakura yawned and stretched as she inhaled the morning air of Konoha. It was just 6 am so it was still quiet. She was used to waking up early because of her early shifts at the hospital. But now, she wasn't really sure what to do. Her goal was to regain memories. But that won't come out just because she wanted it to. So she would just relax and let it all come.

She looked around her, appreciating the peaceful aura. It was one of the things she just loved about Konoha. Everything was just in place. It wasn't as grand and vibrant like the West, but it was happy all the same with all the simple things around. You would just feel the happiness from everyone, and their trust and acceptance with each other. It was like everyone here was friends and family.

Speaking of friends, Sakura knew she would find her favorite friend at a certain place. With a big excited smile on her face, she started running towards Ichiraku.

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"NARUTO!" A high pitched girl's voice screamed. Naruto choked on his ramen in surprise.

"S-Sakura chan! Don't sneak up and yell on my ear like that!" Naruto complained, thumping a hand on his chest exasperatedly.

Sakura giggled. "Well I'm just excited to see you! I haven't seen you in a while." She winked at Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku, the best ramen place in Konoha. Teuchi smiled warmly at Sakura.

Naruto beamed at Sakura in response and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Awww so you missed me?"

Sakura nodded enthusiastically and sat beside Naruto. "I totally do!"

Naruto chuckled and shook his head. The old Sakura would have hit him on the head for suggesting that she missed him. This new Sakura was really affectionate and honest. Since Sakura came back to Konoha, Naruto would usually come to her at the hospital just after her shift ends and invite her to eat at Ichiraku. He really missed having Sakura around, it was five long years after all. And unexpectedly, she would always accept his invitations happily. The old Sakura before cared for Naruto all the same, but she would always try to put him in place, drawing the line between a date and just hanging around. But now, Sakura would hug him, gush at him, play around with him, and do everything else sweetly. Weirdly, Naruto could clearly feel that all of it was brotherly. But he didn't feel that because she had hit him for suggesting otherwise. He felt that because Sakura adored him like a younger brother she never had.

Honestly, Naruto appreciated her like this. She seemed so much happier, worry-less and carefree, not bothering about what anyone thought of her.

Sakura turned to Teuchi and chatted with the old man. Ayame came out and saw Sakura, squealing in delight. Sakura squealed too and raised a high five to Ayame.

That was another thing. People just adored her. She was really kind, approachable, and sweet. She looked at everyone as if they were all her friends. Everyone in the village already knew Sakura of course. But this new version of her made everyone closer to her, which was a delight because Sakura herself told him that she was nervous that she might not get accepted because of her lost memories. Her endearing kindness and friendliness made everyone love her, which made it easier for her to adjust to her "new" home.

"I think I'll have the Naruto Ramen!" Sakura said, her eyes widening as she stared at the menu.

Ayame giggled. "Good one. Have you never seen that on the menu before? You usually come here with Naruto ever since you came back."

Sakura shook her head. "I didn't notice it. Wow Naruto, a ramen is named after you!"

Naruto shrugged, trying to look cool. "Well, I'm just so popular I can't help it."

Sakura laughed and nudged him playfully. "Okay okay. But you'll always be just a bonehead to me."

Naruto pouted. "Sakura chaaaan." Naruto complained, scratching his head. Laughing, Teuchi and Ayame started making Sakura's order. Naruto turned to his bowl and started digging on his 6th bowl of ramen.

Sakura eyed the empty bowls. "Jeez Naruto, aren't you going to explode with that? And it's so early in the morning!"

Naruto shrugged. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!" He exclaimed, shoving more food in his mouth.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "But you eat like this on our dinners too!"

"Well the food you ate must have already burned throughout the day, so we have to replace it at night." Naruto reasoned.

Sakura gaped at him. "That is so not how it works! See, you're really such a bonehead."

Naruto chuckled. "Yeah but you love me."

Sakura grinned at him and threw her arms around him. "I do!"

Naruto sighed. He could get used to Sakura being like this. Then suddenly, Ayame hit him on the head.

"Hey Naruto, stop being touchy touchy with Sakura!"

Naruto looked at her incredulously. "But she was the one hugging me!"

Ayame put her hands on her waist and raised an eyebrow. "Well you must have convinced her to hug you. Pervert."

Naruto lightly pushed Sakura away and raised his arms in exasperation. "There! Happy?! Now let me eat in peace!"

Sakura giggled, as Ayame winked at her and gave Sakura her order. "There you go. Don't let Naruto get to you."

Sakura nodded. "I won't!"

Naruto's head snapped up. "Hey!"

Sakura nudged Naruto and smiled. "Relax. We were just kidding."

"Yeah. We totally were." Ayame said, but she threw Naruto a warning glance before turning away.

Naruto sighed. "Anyway, Sakura chan, how's your first week being a doctor?" Naruto knew that Sakura was promoted to being a doctor just a week ago as Sakura told him excitedly during one of their dinners.

Sakura's eyes gleamed happily. "It was fun and exciting. Although it was also really difficult and challenging. Tsunade sama assigned me to some pretty heavy and complicated operations."

Naruto stared at her, surprised. "Really? But it's just your first week!"

Sakura chewed on her food with a worried expression. "I know! Everything was really complex and also really overwhelming."

Naruto looked up thoughtfully. "I think it's because Granny Tsunade wants you to remember how to be a medic nin fast. After all, the old Sakura I knew was seriously an expert. I'd say that she actually surpassed Tsunade already."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah. I can feel how comfortable I am working around the hospital. And I'm really not nervous at all when I'm performing my operations. I guess my body knew that I've done all of it before. But more than that, I can actually remember what to do."

Naruto smiled at her. "I guess your memories really are coming back huh?"

Naruto beamed at her then he dug in to his food again. Sakura looked at Naruto and decided that he was really such a slob, although in a comedic way.

Then suddenly, images flashed through her head again. But this time, the scenarios were blurring too fast.

"Naruto….you're so annoying!"

"You are so embarrassing Naruto!"

"SHUT UP! YOU'RE SO NOISY!"

"You're such an idiot Naruto!"

"Go out of the way! Why are you sitting next to my-"

Then she snapped out of it. Sakura shook her head and stared at Naruto. She looked at him wide eyed and tried to remember again. Naruto noticed her doing that, so he stopped gulping down food and looked at her.

"Remembered something?" Naruto asked curiously. These days, Sakura will just suddenly have random flashbacks. It was nice because it meant that she was making progress. But she was staring at him looking horrified at the moment.

"What's wrong?" He said, moving closer to her for closer inspection. Nothing seemed out of place with her, except her expression. She bit her lip, looking confused.

"Mmmmm…." She began, looking nervous. "Naruto, did I hate you before?"

Naruto paused, immediately guessing what she remembered, then threw his head back in laughter. Naruto's laugh was so contagious that she couldn't help but smile back.

Naruto wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. "Sakura chan, that's what you're worried about?! That I might be your enemy or something?!"

Sakura shook her head. "It just seemed so out of place. You are so funny and nice, and I feel really attached with you. So I don't know any reason why I would hate you!"

Naruto smiled at her sweetness. "Awwww Sakura chan!"

Sakura blushed and smacked Naruto on the head. Now there's the Sakura chan I know! Naruto thought to himself, grinning at her.

But he cleared his throat and answered her. "We're like this Sakura." Naruto intertwined his fingers. "You're like the sister I never had. Just like how I'm the brother you never had. We're siblings at heart. Although I do admit that you were pretty mean when we were kids. But I was also really childish when we were kids. When we were older, you would still be pretty violent with me. But not because you hate me. You were pretty hot headed. You hit everyone you feel annoyed to. But you usually like to hit me because I usually annoy you."

Sakura thought about that, piecing together the new memories she had and Naruto's assessment of it.

"You know Naruto." She started, still looking up as thoughts ran around her head. "I remember a lot of things about you."

Naruto looked up from his meal again and stared at her.

Without looking at him, Sakura continued on. "I remember feeling angry because you were with me on team 7. I was partly happy but I don't remember why I was happy. I just remember why I'm angry." Sakura's forehead wrinkled as she thought about it. Naruto tried not to laugh. Of course, he knew she was partly happy because of Sasuke. He can't believe Sakura remembered him first than the Teme.

"I remember thinking you were a loser. Because you were always really silly. I remember feeling super annoyed." She frowned at that, disapproving of her former self's thoughts. "I remember always comparing you to….uhmmm…to….. ugh I can't remember that part! Anyway, I also remember you liking me. Like a lot. When we were young, you would always hound me for a date. Even when we were already teenagers, you would still do that. You would always compliment me and encourage me, following me around and blushing. But then you would always really care for me as well. You don't want me to feel sad so you would compliment me everytime…mmm….someone insults me? You always made me feel strong even when I knew I was not. I remember you saving me, for so many times I couldn't even keep count. Even if it was at the expense of your life, you would always put me first. I remember you made me a promise. I don't remember what that promise is but I remember feeling desperate. I remember that deep longing I had for that….promise, and it took a long time, but I remember feeling really happy after you've done it. And…."

She threw Naruto a wary look. "I remember confessing to you."

There were a few beats of silence. Then Naruto laughed loudly again.

Sakura punched him this time. "Stop laughing! I'm trying to remember here!"

Naruto chuckled, not minding the new bruise that would form because of her punch. "Look, those parts you don't remember are really important. And I think I can't just outright tell you what it's about. You have to remember that on your own."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "How is that related to my confession?!"

Naruto shook his head in amusement. "It's really super related. You confessed to me because of that…memory you forgot. Not because you actually liked me, but don't worry. I rejected you."

Naruto now had 2 bumps on the head.

Naruto frowned, rubbing at the bumps that Sakura punched. "But Sakura, you remember so much about me. No pun intended. Just curious."

Sakura smiled at him and took his hands away from the bumps. "Lean closer. I'll heal them."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "What was the point of hitting me if you'll heal me anyway." He murmured. Sakura lifted his chin up and threw him a creepy smile. "What was that?!"

Naruto gulped, shaking. "N-Nothing…" Man, this is really Sakura after all! Naruto thought, letting her heal his bumps.

Sakura sighed. "We've been to dinner for so many nights and we hang out a lot, so I do remember a lot about you. I really do care for you Naruto. I can feel how important you are to me."

Naruto didn't say anything to that. Honest and sweet Sakura still surprises him sometimes. After that, they just randomly chatter until Sakura finishes her bown and Naruto finished with her 8th.

As they were heading out, Sakura turned to Naruto and said. "So what were you doing up so early by the way?"

Naruto shrugged. "I'm going to meet the Teme today. We're gonna run through some information that Kakashi told us to look on to. And then maybe we'll spar later."

Sakura raised her brows in curiosity. "You mean Sasuke?"

"Yeah. The great Teme." Naruto said, smirking.

Sakura nodded politely. "Ahh."

Naruto looked at Sakura curiously. Honestly, he expected Sakura to remember Sasuke first. After all, Sakura even immediately crushed on Sasuke when she came back from the West. But now…..she just looked disinterested.

"Are you and Sasuke still fighting?" Naruto asked, worrying. He'd been trying to assemble team 7 again for some time now. If they were fighting, it would be complicated. Sakura looked at him in surprise.

"What? No. We've never really fought. He's just grumpy but that's fine." Sakura said, shrugging. "He's kinda strange though. I had gloomy guys in my life before but Sasuke's just weird. James for example is hostile and uncaring, but he's always vocal about it. He's not silent. He speaks a lot but what he says are usually really mean. Sasuke is also a tinge mean. But he's mostly just quiet. Emo. Gloomy. Dark. Isolated. I dunno."

Naruto watched Sakura, looking confused. "You think…Sasuke's weird?"

Sakura pouted. "I know he's your bestfriend and that he was our teammie before. But you gotta admit that he really is one of a kind, for lack of a better term. Synonymously, I just wanted to say he's weird."

Naruto gaped at her. Sakura really meant that. Naruto scratched his head uneasily. "You…..don't remember Sasuke at all, do you?"

Sakura sighed and shook her head. "No. Not one bit. There's nothing at all. I mean for the others, I get glimpses or familiar feelings. But with Sasuke, I don't remember anything. I figured maybe because we're not close even then."

Naruto scoffed incredulously. "Who told you that you guys aren't close?! Are you insane?"

Sakura looked at Naruto, surprised at his outburst. "So we were close? But he doesn't talk to me at all right now. I just ignore him because he ignores me! So I thought maybe we weren't really friends even!"

Naruto shook his head. "Sakura chan, don't go jumping into conclusions like that. This is a big deal! Sasuke is a big deal for you! I can't tell you why, you have to remember on your own. But I'm telling you! Make more effort for the Teme! Don't ignore him just because he ignores you. He always ignores people!"

Sakura rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "He's a big deal for me….because he's my teammate? Is that it?"

Naruto crunched his nose, trying to not burst with the answer. Because you were deeply madly irrevocably crazily inlove with him! "Er….something like that. But not really."

Sakura frowned. "That doesn't really make sense. But okay, we'll see."

Naruto gave Sakura the thumbs up. "That's the spirit Sakura chan! I promise, that is worth it. Anyway, I'll be late for my meeting with the Teme. See ya later!" He gave one last cheery wave then hurried away. Sakura waved goodbye then walked in the opposite direction.

Sasuke huh? Sakura thought, casually walking aimlessly again. Well, what harm could it do? She shrugged noncommittally. Then she spotted a flower shop, the one she came in to first to look for a map when she first came to Konoha.

Ino! She thought excitedly as she rushed in the sweet smelling store.

"Ino!" She yelled heartily, her arms spread as she ran towards the shocked girl by the counter.

"Eeeeep!" Ino exclaimed as Sakura put her arms around Ino's slim figure.

"You're so thin I could just carry you!" Sakura said, actually carrying her.

"AHHHHH! STOP THAT YOU WEIRD FOREHEAD GIRL! PUT ME DOWN!" Ino screamed at the top of her lungs.

Sakura chuckled, putting her friend down gently. "You know I was just calling Sasuke weird earlier. Man, Karma is fast."

Ino's eyes widened. "You finally talked to Sasuke kun?"

Sakura pouted. "Why are all of you waiting for me to talk to Sasuke? Is he like my secret fraternal twin or something?!"

Ino gasped, looking disgusted. "Ew. No. Incest much."

Sakura tilted her head. "What?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "Nothing, you dense billboard brow. Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"Well today's my day off. I figured you'd be here. We haven't seen much of each other." Sakura said, looking around and staring at the pretty flowers.

Ino clapped her hands. "Finally! Jeez ever since you came back, you've been doing nothing but work at the hospital! Since today is your free day, we'll go have some fun!"

Sakura nodded excitedly. "Yay! What will we do today?!"

Ino lead her out of the shop. "Hold on, I'll just close the shop. Wait there and don't leave okay?" Sakura nodded, leaning on the door and looking out in a daze.

Ino smiled. Unlike Naruto, they haven't really seen much of each other. Ino understood that the first thing Sakura wanted to do was build her identity first before she could go and meet them all. So she had to stay at the hospital and find her medic nin self. If Tsunade was already giving her a free day, then it meant she was ready for all of them too. Ino was thrilled. She would soon be having her friend back.

But in all honesty, Sakura had already fit in like a glove to the village. The villagers loved her happy demeanor. She was hardworking and vibrant. But she was also really adorable. At first, Ino could really only look at Sakura with disbelief. She was so like the old Sakura and yet so different as well. She was still caring like before, and she would still worry like before. But she was so much jollier than the old Sakura. She seemed to have so much patience while the old Sakura would snap at the barest hint of insult.

Sure, Sakura would still respond with Ino when Ino picked a fight with her. But it was more playful than vengeful. Ino could sense that Sakura adored her, as she gushed over her and listened to everything Ino said with amazement, and Ino was really touched with that. Their relationship as rivals ceased to feel like a competition of getting better than the other. Now it just felt more like playing with each other, still wanting to win, but genuinely wanting the other to win as well. Honestly, it had always been like that before. But they were too caught up in their own vanities and pride to voice it out. Now Sakura is just really honest about it.

"Hey Forehead. You ready?" Ino said as she locked the doors to her shop. Sakura nodded and clung herself to Ino's arms.

"Yes, Ino Pig!" Sakura said cheerily. Ino rolled her eyes.

Ino dragged Sakura to the shops in Konoha. This was something they would like to do together before….shopping. But unlike before, Sakura seemed to have developed a nice sense of fashion from the West. So Ino and Sakura had fun giving each other advices and formulating new styles that would fit the other. Sakura enjoyed dressing Ino up with the West fashion trends while Ino was so amazed with Sakura's new intensely hot figure that Ino dressed her up like a Barbie doll. Ino even tried dressing Sakura with weird mismatching neon colors and surprisingly, it still looked good. Damn! Ino cursed, glaring at Sakura with a little envy. Sakura laughed and dragged Ino off. Sakura also dressed Ino with weird Neon colors, but it was so artfully chosen that it looked good on Ino as well. Ino loved it so much she bought it, even though they were just experimenting on that.

Sakura also happened to be an expert in hairstyling. They went to a do-it-yourself kind of parlor and Sakura loved Ino's hair a lot, that she designed Ino's hair in so many pretty ways, instead of just cutting it. In the end, Sakura left Ino's hair alone, not having the heart to cut it or ruin it with any changes. Ino just memorized Sakura's designs with her hair and promised to do them that way in some days.

Soon, they were just walking around Konoha, laughing and giggling with stories, as they carry dozens of shopping baskets which barely fit their arms.

Then suddenly, a flash of memory flooded her mind again.

"Everyone makes fun of your forehead huh?" Ino said as she sat down infront of Sakura, who was sobbing and shaking.

Sakura looked up fearfully. "Who are...?"

Ino smiled at her. "I'm Yamanaka Ino. What about you?"

Sakura gasped. She was usually just called based on her huge forehead. But now she was being asked her name. Sakura bit her lip nervously, but she answered in a trembling voice. "I'm Sakura. Haruno Sakura."

Then Ino came closer to her and tapped her forehead. Sakura flinched. But Ino looked at her directly in the eye. "Ahhh I see. So this is the big forehead. So you try to hide it with your hair. You look like a ghost." Sakura's lip trembled at Ino's comment. Ino watched her cry and smiled gently. "It's Sakura right? Come here again tomorrow. I'll give you something nice."

The next day, Ino gave her a ribbon so she can tie her bangs back.

"They make fun of it more 'cause you try to hide it! You have a cute face so show it off confidently! CONFIDENTLY!" Ino was telling her determinedly.

Then the scene changed.

"A flower is meaningless unless it blooms right? And it could grow into a flower even more beautiful than a cosmos." Ino was telling Sakura as they sat in the middle of a beautiful meadow. At that moment, Sakura knew that Ino was referring to her as a flower that can someday grow beautifully.

The scene changed again.

This time Ino and Sakura were sitting side by side, bruised and scratched.

Ino grinned at Sakura and stretched her hands to give Sakura her forehead protector back.

"You did make it bloom." She said. "A beautiful flower."

Sakura snapped back to reality. "Ribbon!" She suddenly exclaimed.

Ino stared at Sakura. "What?"

Sakura grinned at Ino and engulfed her in a big hug.

"FOREHEAD WHY ARE YOU BEING WEIRD AGAIN!" Ino yelled, trying to pry Sakura off her.

Sakura beamed at Ino. "I remember you Ino. We really are friends!"

Ino stopped struggling and gazed at Sakura. "Really? You remember me?"

Sakura nodded eagerly. "Yes! Although…..I remember us fighting a lot too." Sakura said, the flood of pictures in her head still flowing. "I don't understand what we're fighting about."

Then Sakura let go of Ino and gasped. "Ino the ribbon! Where is the ribbon you gave me?"

Ino shrugged. "You gave it back to me."

Sakura blinked. She could almost remember everything she and Ino shared, except the ones where they were fighting and the thing about the ribbon. "Why would I do that? As far as I can remember, you save me from being bullied and gave me the ribbon as a boost of confidence."

Ino regarded Sakura. "You remember us being friends. But you don't remember the beginning of our rivalry and everything about it."

Sakura scratched her head. "Well, I kinda know we are rivals. I mean you're seriously always picking a fight, that's one. But I also really feel competitive towards you for some unfathomable reason. I have only felt like that with James. But I also feel it with you. Then I thought….maybe because we're both awesome that we decided to compete with each other?"

Ino laughed loudly. "Because we're BOTH awesome! You wish Sakura! You wish every night to be as awesome as me."

Sakura scoffed. "In your dreams Pig!" Sakura giggled. "But really though. That's the reason right?"

Ino sighed, rubbing her chin. "If this is about our rivalry, and you really can't remember…..oh wait! You don't remember Sasuke kun?"

Sakura moaned. "No! Not him again! What does he have to do with our rivalry!"

Ino smacked her on the head, feeling frustrated. "Idiot! He has everything to do with our rivalry!"

Sakura rubbed her pained head. "Ow. Ino!" Sakura complained. "But seriously, is he like also in our rivalry. Is he competing with us too? That's kinda weird don't you think?"

Ino smacked her again. "OF COURSE THAT'S WEIRD! THAT'S NOT THE REASON!"

"STOP HITTING ME!" Sakura screamed back, jumping a safe distance away from Ino.

"WELL YOU SHOULD BE HIT! MAYBE IT WILL PUT SOME SENSE INTO YOU THEN YOU'D REMEMBER!" Ino exhaled to calm herself. "Sakura, Sasuke is like a vital core of you. It's hard to picture you without considering Sasuke too."

Sakura pouted. "Yeah I figured. That's kinda offending though. Why is Sasuke so intertwined with everything I do before?"

Ino shrugged. "Because he was."

Sasuke gasped. "Oh no! Is he my real father in disguise?!"

Sakura had three bumps on the head now.

"WHY DID YOU HIT ME AGAIN?! THAT WAS TOTALLY A LOGICAL GUESS!"

"HOW IS THAT LOGICAL?! HOW DID YOUR CONCLUSION ENDED UP WITH SASUKE BEING YOUR FATHER?! THAT'S JUST GROSS!"

"HOW IS THAT GROSS? ALL I'M SAYING IS MAYBE HE WAS SUPERVISING EVERYTHING I DO! THAT'S WHY HE SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED WITH EVERYTHING!"

"WELL NO HE'S NOT. NOW STOP IMPLANTING THE IDEA IN MY HEAD!"

Ino rubbed her temples. "Okay okay. We have to fix this. Sai told me earlier that he's going to go meet with Naruto and Sasuke today. And I think I know where they'll be headed right now. Let's go!"

Ino dragged Sakura across town and soon, they spotted the three of them walking casually with scrolls under their arms.

"Oh look it's-" Sakura began but was quickly silenced by Ino when she put a hand over Sakura's mouth.

"Shhhhh!" Ino said. "We'll have to do this by surprise."

"Do what?" Sakura asked curiously, tilting her head.

"Sakura, watch them. Just trust me okay?" Ino said, gesturing to the three.

Sakura turned her eyes to them, frowning at the weird challenge.

"So tell me, who are you looking at right now?" Ino asked.

Sakura shrugged. "Naruto."

Ino gasped. "Ew. Why are you looking at Naruto?"

"Because he's orange and bright. But I'm also looking at Sai. He's so….white you know." Sakura said.

Ino raised her brows. "I think it's a good thing. His skin is like pearl you know. He gleams under the sun, see?"

Sakura looked at her, weirded out. Ino immediately flushed when she realized what she said.

"No that's not the point! Anyway, is that all you see?"

Sakura looked at the three again. "Oh and there's Sasuke. But he's barely noticeable you know. If you look at them you'll either look at bright Naruto or shiny Sai."

Ino shook her head. "You're hopeless Forehead. Look around you, every other girl would look at Sasuke first. Oh they'll also look at Naruto because Naruto's so popular now. And Sai because Sai is cute. But Sasuke…"

Sakura nodded. "Ahhh. Sasuke's so dark that people would fear him. So they look at him first to avoid danger."

Ino slapped a hand to her forehead. "No! It's because he's ultimately handsome you idiot!"

Sakura's eyes widened. "Oooooooh. Well that he is." Then she shrugged indifferently. Ino's forehead crinkled in wonder.

"Anyway." Ino said. "Your exercise is to scream I love you Sasuke right now."

Sakura's head snapped towards Ino. "What? Why would I do that?"

Ino pushed Sakura closer to the guys. "Because it will help you with your memories. Trust me."

Sakura pushed back. "No way! That would be too embarrassing! Sasuke is creepy!"

Ino scoffed. "He's not! Just get on with it! This is not even for me! This is for you!"

Sakura scowled. She looked back at the men when Naruto and Sai started laughing. She took a long look at them and noticed Sai actually glinting when the sun touched his skin. Sakura grinned mischievously.

"Okay Ino. STOP PUSHING ME. Listen. I'll do what you want me to do. On One condition."

Ino raised an eyebrow. "Why are you setting conditions?! This is-"

Sakura raised a finger to silence her. "You're going to scream I love you as well."

Ino scoffed, thinking that she would be screaming 'I love you Sasuke'. "Okay, that's easy and-"

"But you're going to say I love you to Sai."

Ino froze. "WHAT? Why in the hell would I do that?! You're screaming to Sasuke for yourself in the first place! I have absolutely no gains in this-"

Sakura glared at her. "No gains? NO GAINS? You're doing this for a friend who lost her memories! You're doing this because she's suffering, feeling lost, not knowing who she is! You're doing this because you are a true friend who wants to put that friend out of her misery! You're doing this because as a true friend, you couldn't stand knowing that she's basking in loneliness, in the world of darkness that she is in right now! So tell me Ino, NO GAINS?!"

Ino groaned. "You're just turning this around on-"

Sakura turned her back to Ino and started walking away. "Fine. Be selfish like that."

Ino rolled her eyes. "Stop being melodramatic Sakura. SAKURA. Ugh. Fine I'll do it! Come back now!"

Sakura immediately spun towards Ino and grinned. "YES! I knew you love me Ino!"

Ino stamped her foot on the ground. "You just want me to be embarrassed too!"

Sakura winked at her. "Keyword is 'too'. Sasuke creeps me out and you're about to make me scream that I love him. So you should do that but for the opposite reason, because you actually love Sai!"

A blush crept on Ino's cheeks. "I do not!"

Sakura shrugged. "Then it should be no problem. Anyway, do it after me okay?"

Sakura positioned herself a distance away from the boys and placed both hands beside her mouth. She glanced at Ino, who gave her a thumbs up.

Sai saw Sakura. "Oh look! It's-"

Sakura drew a deep breath and screamed as loud as she can. "I LOVE YOU SASUKE KUN!"

Naruto, Sai, and Sasuke froze on their tracks and stared at the source of the loud deafening voice. Sakura beamed at the three of them and winked. "Hi there. Don't move okay? We have to do something first. INO! IT'S YOU NOW."

Ino shook her head frantically, her cheeks flaming now. "Sakura, no. I can't do it. I-"

"What?! No way! Sasuke is staring at me like I'm crazy see! DO IT!" Sakura said, throwing her a scathing glare.

Ino swallowed a few times and glanced at the boys who were now staring at her. Damn it. Sakura looked serious too.

She sighed. Here goes nothing. "I- er…." I can't do it!

Sakura growled at her. "Ino-"

Ugh shut up Forehead. "I LOVE YOU SAI KUN!"

Silence. Naruto's mouth was hanging open now. Ino looked absolutely horrified. Sasuke's face was blank as he tried to analyze what was going on. Sakura was trying to stifle a laugh. Sai, on the other hand….

He stared at Ino with a confused look. They stared at each other for a few mortifying seconds. Then Sai suddenly pulled out a book and quickly scanned it. Sai looked up at Ino with a big smile on his face. He drew a deep breath and then he said,

"I LOVE YOU TOO INO CHAN!"

Silence again. This time, Naruto stared at Sai with wide eyes. Sasuke was staring at Sai too, although he looked a little annoyed, probably because Sai screamed next to his ear. Sakura was blinking at Sai in surprise. While Ino…..

Her face was so red it could pass for a tomato. She shivered for a few seconds. And then…

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed in a yell that must have been heard across boarders as she ran away so fast she suddenly disappeared.

"Okay wow. That was totally unexpected." Sakura said with a giggle she approached the boys. "Hi guys." She greeted pleasantly.

Naruto opened his arms in exasperation. "What was that?! You and Ino suddenly started confessing and-"

Sakura waved her hand dismissively. "We weren't confessing you idiot! She said if I do that, I would somehow regain some important memories I missed. I just dragged her along with me."

Naruto and Sai looked at each other, then they both looked at Sasuke.

Sasuke stared back at them impassively.

Sakura looked at the three of them. "So….are you going to tell me why screaming 'I love you Sasuke' is helpful to me? Or did Ino just make fun of me?"

Sai opened his mouth but Naruto clamped a hand over it. "No Sai! She's supposed to remember major things on her own!"

Sakura scowled at Naruto. "Really. How is an exercise with a stupid confession trigger a major thing in me?"

Naruto sighed. "Just trust us on this Sakura chan. It's really something major."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Naruto, we have to look through these scrolls. Sai, we already looked through some of your scrolls so you can go now. Sakura, you're annoying. Go away." He threw a withering gaze at Sakura and started to walk away.

Sakura pouted. "I know who you are Sa-su-ke-kun." Sasuke stopped walking and glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

"You're my guardian angel."

Silence.

Sai laughed awkwardly. "Ugly, only you would come up with the most hopelessly romantic ideas."

Sakura blushed. "No! I don't mean it to be romantic! I mean he's supposed to be tied with all the major decisions I did right? But he's not my brother nor my father. So I figured he could be sent down to earth and watch over me!"

Naruto guffawed, shaking his head with tears of laughter. "Sakura chan. That's just golden."

"STOP LAUGHING AT ME YOU IDIOTS! I'm being serious here!" Sakura yelled, feeling embarrassed.

Sasuke turned towards her and walked until he was infront of her. "I tried to kill you countless times, Sakura. How did you make me into a divine being meant to protect you?"

Sakura's eyes widened in excitement. Sasuke frowned at her reaction. Sai and Naruto prepared themselves to laugh.

"I KNOW! You're my guardian devil! Meant to let me go astray."

And that afternoon, that area was filled with laughs by 2 people, who only stopped laughing after a loud bonking on their heads.

A/N: Okay, I just finished this tonight. I'm gonna edit it when I wake up tomorrow. Anyway, this is just the beginning of her regaining her memories. I think I'll do another chapter of it, then Sakura will be on a mission, then I can finally pull off my genius plan on how to get her complete memories back. Only after then can I bring back the main plot on the West. We need to spend quality time with Konoha. So I'm gonna sleep now. Ja ne!