Chapter 14: Just Haven't Met You Yet
Sasuke, don't go! I love you so much! Please, let me come with you. I'll help you in any way I can, just please don't go!
The painful memory caused muscles to tighten.
"Good morning," Tsunade smiled sweetly, holding a clipboard across her lap. Naruto strained excitedly standing with Tsunade behind where someone was sitting in a chair beside her bed. Her vision was coming back slowly with a slight blurring. Sakura opened her mouth, "No, don't try to talk. Your body has quite the recovery ahead. We have all been waiting for a while, Sakura. I'll give you some time to catch up with everyone. I'll be around to check up on you later." Tsunade reached to squeeze Sakura's hand lightly and closed the door behind her.
Kakashi put a hand on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto, who was bursting at the seams with excitement and conversation, pouted lightly and began sighing, "But, I want to stay and—" Kakashi rolled his eyes and quietly told Naruto that there would be plenty of time for that, taking his whining student into the hallway. Sakura swallowed. The little bit of saliva felt like sandpaper against her throat. She blinked her bloodshot eyes and tried to focus on the visitor left in her room.
"Sai?" she whispered out as loud as her voice would allow. The visitor was silent and then scoffed.
"I'm offended you would confuse me with such an unlikeable guy."
Sakura's eyes widened as he came into focus.
"S-s-sasuke…"
It seemed impossible to her.
"You… look so different."
"It's only been a few months, Sakura. You weren't out that long."
A few months?... she thought back.
"What do you mean a few months?"
Sasuke quirked an eyebrow and changed his position in the chair, "What's the last thing you remember?"
"I remember… you left me on that bench when you left and…" Sasuke frowned at her first memory, "Naruto and Hinata! I remember they went on their first date. I remember looking for you…and I remember… sand…"
Sasuke laced his fingers together and looked at her sadly.
"I don't remember everything do I?"
Sasuke shook his head, "No, you don't."
"Will you tell me?" Sasuke stood to leave.
"I'm sure Naruto would be better at telling you than me, I'll go get him."
"No!" he paused and looked at her, "I don't want you to go… I mean… I don't want to be alone." She felt brave for a moment, "Are you dating anyone, Sasuke?"
He blushed and almost laughed out loud.
"Seriously?... No."
"I don't remember what happened, but I want to. And I want to meet you because I feel like I haven't met you yet."
Something about this made Sasuke very sad because he knew she wouldn't remember that she was a hero—so strong. She wouldn't remember their conversations. She had no idea.
"I'll be around. Rest," Sasuke stood to leave again.
"Will you stay until I fall asleep?"
She thought his eyes softened, but felt confused by that, and by the weakness in her body. He gave no reply, but resumed his seat beside her bed. Her eyelids had felt heavy since she awoke. Taking a look at the relaxed man next to her, she gave a small smile closing her eyes as she reached for his hand hanging her own off the edge of the bed.
"Hm," Sasuke noised and gently brushed his fingers against hers, "Hang in there," he said quietly.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets he walked out of the hospital.
"Sasuke!"
"I'm right here, Naruto. You don't need to yell."
"I'm gonna go see Sakura-chan now!" As he went to run past Sasuke, he grabbed Naruto's collar and gently, but persistently threw his backwards.
"Leave her alone. She needs to rest."
"Is she ok?"
"Hm… she doesn't remember me."
"What!?" Kakashi winced for Sasuke.
"Quiet down, Dobe! She doesn't remember the last six months of her life. She remembers pieces, but nothing else really."
Naruto sighed. Thankfully Hinata was coming by to check in on her shift at the hospital and struck up a conversation with Naruto about some wedding ideas. Sasuke headed home.
"Sasuke," Kakashi called catching up with him, "regardless of what happens, you mean more to Sakura than anyone else. And Sasuke… you're the only one who can help her remember."
"Hn," Sasuke nodded and continued on his way.