Fallen
Chapter 21: Sakura's Release. Darn Headache…!
Sakura's POV
I stayed in that position for what felt like fifteen minutes, dripping in the rain. Nothing happened. There wasn't any dramatic realization. No bird fell out of the sky and landed on my head, giving me a headache. I didn't get struck by a bolt of lightening on the spot. All I did was silently stay like that.
"Um," Naruto's voice said in a carrying whisper. "Saori-chan?"
I didn't answer or move. I needed the dramatic thing to happen…!
"Saori-chan!" Naruto whispered louder.
Come, Oh dramatic thingy! I thought, still not moving a millimeter.
"SAORI-CHAN!" Naruto shouted. "ARE YOU OKAY?"
I couldn't help it. I twitched an eyebrow, and reluctantly opened an eye.
"Naruto," I said as calmly as I could. I wasn't angry…I was actually kind of amused. "I'm fine. Could you please let me pray in peace? I'm connecting to Haruno-san's spirit, so I need to concentrate, okay?"
I heard a snort and I opened both eyes. I turned to see Sasuke-kun, covering his mouth with a hand. Somehow, he seemed to be fighting the urge to laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked him. I felt a little annoyed. Okay, very annoyed. "I'm being serious, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke-kun uncovered his mouth, only to show it was its normal straight line again.
"Nothing's funny," he said.
I went back to my praying.
Nothing happened, but the rain began getting harder. After an hour or so of non-dramatic-ness, I opened my eyes.
Inner me finally talked again.
Inner me: Looks like praying isn't the answer!
Why do you sound so happy about it? I thought back, sweat dropping.
Inner me: I don't sound happy!
Sure you don't, I thought sarcastically.
Inner me: A-anyways, why don't you try something else?
Yeah, I replied. I can't give up now. There's got to be something around here that'll click with me. I know there is.
I got up. The jeans that Tsunade-sama had given me were all wet and muddy…oh, well. I would just clean it whenever I was released from the hospital.
Inner me: Do you even know how to wash clothes?
Sure I do! I declared. I've done it loads of times, remember?
Inner me sounded skeptical.
Inner me: That wasn't washing. That was sticking your clothes into the nearest body of water, and taking them out, and then drying them next to a campfire.
Well, it worked! I thought back defensively. And anyways, how hard could it be to wash clothes?
Inner me: You'll find out someday, and I'm sure you'll be regretting those words.
Naruto and Sasuke-kun looked at me, and became more alert. It was as if they thought I was going to leave.
If that's what they think then they're in for a surprise.
Inner me: Hell yeah! That's the spirit, Sakura!
I said nothing, sweat dropping again.
"I'm going to examine the grave, okay?" I said.
Naruto looked surprised. Sasuke-kun just Hn-ed and went back to his loose posture.
"Why?" asked Naruto.
"Um…I'm interested in it…?" I answered.
"But it's pouring!" he protested.
"It's okay, Naruto," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Sasuke-kun, too," I looked at Sasuke-kun and then back at Naruto. "You guys don't have to stay here, okay? It's not like I'm alone-"
Inner me: Shit.
Shi! I completely forgot! Oh my god, she must be soaking wet!
"Hey, you guys," I said to Naruto and Sasuke-kun, thinking fast. "There's a nurse standing outside of the grave yard. Tsunade-sama wanted her to come here to keep an eye out for my health," I rolled my eyes. "Could you tell her I'm really sorry, and that she can go home now? Tell her that I said I was perfectly fine, please?"
"I don't mind, but, Saori-chan…," Naruto sweat dropped. "Don't end up in the hospital any longer, okay?"
"Don't worry!" I smiled. "And thanks!" I called after their disappearing backs.
I began to examine the grave, looking carefully at the details. But the only thing that caught my attention was the angel.
I didn't really have a religion, but I knew that angels were supposed to be pure and beautiful and kind. I knew that you're supposed to think of bright colors and sunny skies with puffy white clouds when you thought of angels. I know that you're supposed to think that their wings are white.
But this wasn't that kind of a case. Still, I didn't get any more memories, so I guessed that I was just getting bad vibes for no reason.
I headed back, without any clues. It looked like Naruto had been true to his word; Shi wasn't around anymore.
Inner me: Heh. I bet she ran off the second we turned our back on her!
Shi didn't seem like that type of person.
Inner me: Well, you never know what people are really like….
Yeah, I agreed. People like you!
Inner me: What do you mean by that?!
You know that I'm already suspicious of you, I reminded her. Don't go thinking I've forgotten.
Inner me: Hmph!
I got back to the hospital. I only realized what I must've looked like when a passing nurse gasped as she saw me walk in.
"Oh my goodness, dear!" she cried. "What happened?!"
I was dripping wet with rain, wearing a huge black and orange coat that probably made me look puny, and I had mud all over me.
"Nothing," I reassured her. "I'm alright. I'm just coming back inside; Tsunade-sama gave me permission to go out today. Do you know where she is?"
"She's taking a break in the lounge," said the nurse, still looking worried.
What a nice person.
Inner me: What a whimpy-looking softie.
I sighed mentally.
"Thank you," I said to the nurse, and I walked away, getting stares from passing-by nurses and doctors clad in pure white.
Then I realized that I didn't know where the lounge was.
Eheheheh….
Inner me: SAKURA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure we'll find it…, I thought doubtfully. I know! Let's just ask one of the nurses!
Inner me: Damn it. Getting us lost again, that little-
I looked for a nurse while Inner me mumbled darkly. When I found one, she took me to the lounge and I thanked her, and then went in.
"Excuse me…," I said, opening the door slowly.
"Who is it?" asked a familiar, tough, booming voice.
"Saori Aero," I answered. I stepped into her view. Luckily, nobody else was in the room.
"Sakura!" Tsunade-sama said. "You're late!"
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
"Well, whatever," she said. I noticed her cheeks were flushed. And then my eyes wandered to the huge bottle of Sake she was holding. It must've been two gallons. And it was only about an eighth full…. (A/N: -.-')
"Go back to your house, okay? You're released. Now you have less than a week to train for the chunin exams, so let's make the most of that time, alright, Sakura?" she boomed.
"Yes!" I said, smiling.
Inner me: Finally! We're going to get to train! We're going to get to move around daily! We don't have to use bed-pa-
Yeah! It's great!
I went home, and opened the door with my key. "I'm back," I whispered.
I walked into the living room and flopped down onto the couch. I was starting to get a headache from…I don't know, the non-existent bird that didn't fall from the sky and onto my head in the graveyard?
Darn headache….
I fell asleep, not knowing that I was about to have the worst nightmare I'd ever experienced.
A/N: That's the end of Chapter 21~!^^ Please review! XD