Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 11: Puzzles

The check-up didn't take long – it was just a series of tests and measurements like any other patients would go through.

'Don't they have special treatments for amnesia?' Sakura could only wonder, so she decided to ask the nurse by the registration desk.

"Will there be further treatments?" Sakura asked, and checking through the schedule, the nurse frowned.

"Hmm… that's strange. You only need to meet Tsunade-sama – that's the head medic and Hokage – and it's only for… ten minutes?!" The nurse quickly flipped through the pages. "There must be something wrong…"

"Ah, that's okay. Maybe I can go check up on her now." Sakura frowned in confusion too, but thinking of Sasuke waiting outside, she decided to hurry.

"Well, since it's Tsunade-sama overlooking your condition… I suppose that'd be fine." The nurse shut the files closed and pointed to the right. "Take those stairs – it's the fourth floor – and her office should be the first one left."

After a polite thank-you, Sakura rushed over to the stairs.

When she got to the fourth floor, she recognized the room she had been staying in before she was discharged, and that room was next to the head medic's office. She let her curiousity pass and walked over to the door to Tsunade's office, but she stilled when she caught a familiar voice.

"Tsunade-sama, I have tried to make him stay for eight days."

"Yeah, but you know better… Four days isn't enough."

'What are they talking about…?'

"Fortunately, I've talked with the Hyuugas, so Neji's upcoming birthday party might help Sasuke stay longer."

"Tsunade-sama." The next part was barely a whisper, and Sakura had to strain to hear it."Sakura's memories will come back, right? I didn't let my daughter take this upon herself just so she'd loser her memories forever, right?" There was a plead to Mebuki's voice, and Sakura realized that all her mother wanted was reassurance.

"Trust me and my medical skills, Mebuki-san."

Sakura realized that their conversation was ending, so she readied herself to hide or run away, but the door opened in a flash.

"Sakura. So you heard." There was a pained smile as Mebuki gently pulled Sakura inside.

"Mebu –" Remembering Sasuke's words, Sakura corrected herself. "Mom."

The effect was instant: Mebuki's face lightened in surprise, and instead of smiling, she broke out in tears.

"Oh, Sakura! How long has it been since I've heard you say that!" Mebuki embraced her pink-haired daughter, and slowly, Sakura put her arms around for a light squeeze.

When the two bodies parted, Sakura finally questioned. "Why does Sasuke need to stay longer?"

"Sakura… I'd tell you right now if I could, but…" Mebuki smiled gently. "You'll know in time, and it's best you don't think into it now."

Glancing at the Hokage this time, Sakura asked, "Does this have something to do with the lack of a treatment for me?"

Tsunade smiled, but it was a sad smile, Sakura realized. "That's my student, clever as always. It's best if you don't tell the others, but yes, you don't need any treatment currently – the check-ups are necessary though, just in case."

Sakura nodded, and brought up another puzzling thing. "So I was your student… Is that why I was staying in the room next to your office?"

The Hokage's mouth formed a small "O", and her strong, fierce eyes looked shaken with sadness. "Well… Not technically, but… yes."

That wasn't much of an answer, but Sakura thanked her anyway. There were too many things Sakura didn't know, and she realized this for the first time as she bid farewell and stepped outside in search for Sasuke.

a/n: busy with school, so I'm lucky to have written this beforehand. Hopefully I'll write more this weekend. Omg I'm taking Literature and I am loving it xD Thank you readers & reviewers 3