EVIF-YTNEWT RETPAHC

5 weeks later…

Sakura woke up.

She just laid there, her eyes closed. First, she processed the fact that she was awake, her mind was working. Then, she slowly opened her eyes. Okay, that was another thing now; her eyes were open. Sakura's muscles itched, and she moved her fingers; she could move. Sakura began stretching her arms and legs, breathing in, out, in, out.

She was alive.

Everything rushed through her head at once. Sakura saw herself fighting Orochimaru; Gaara, Sasuke, and Deidara showing up and getting themselves hurt; Deidara being captured and saving him; and then, finally, the feeling of that sword stabbing into her chest.

I should be dead right now, Sakura thought.

Sakura began to sit up, and a beeping noise went off. Sakura suddenly became aware of her surroundings. Almost everything in the room was white, the walls plain save for a painting of a landscape hanging across from her. The floor was tiled white. There was a window, open, with sunlight streaming in and the sheer white curtains billowing in the breeze. A pot of bright red flowers were sitting on the windowsill.

She was in a white gown that had small diamond-like patterns. All around her were different screens and tubes, some of which were connected to her body. On the table next to her, there sat a few cards, and on the inside of one she could read You'll get better, Sakura, BELIEVE IT! Sakura didn't have to see the name signed to know it was from Naruto. She assumed that the others were from her other classmates. A dark blue balloon floated above her bed, its giant letters spelling out GET WELL! Below that, there was a terribly drawn doodle of a smiling puppy along with Gaara's name, and Sasuke's name scribbled out in cursive.

Then, Sakura noticed it. A single pink rose in a tall, slim glass vase. She knew who it was from, even though there was no name. She smiled.

Sakura felt groggy, and that beeping noise was still going. Seriously, if this was a hospital, shouldn't a nurse or doctor have come by now?

Sakura pushed herself so she sat sitting up, and her head began to hurt as the world swirled and swayed in front of her. She closed her eyes to try and clear her head and search for any strength stored in her body. She heard footsteps, and then a knock on the door. It opened, and Sakura opened her eyes to see a warm and smiling face.

"You're awake," Tsunade said simply. The two stared, taking each other in, and then Tsunade rushed forward, embracing Sakura in a hug. Sakura reached up and hugged her back as tight as she could.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Tsunade said, giving Sakura a light squeeze before letting go.

"I'm glad that I'm okay, too," Sakura said, smiling.

Shizune suddenly appeared, standing out of breath at the door since she had just run. "Sakura!" she exclaimed, grinning. "You're awake! You're finally awake!"

"How long have I been out?" Sakura asked, lying back against the raised bed and closing her eyes.

"About five weeks," Tsunade replied.

Sakura's eyes snapped open. "Five weeks? Wow…and…. I'm assuming that we won? Konoha isn't being overrun by Orochimaru?"

"Nope," Shizune replied, and at a look from Tsunade she said, "Should I go get him?"

Tsunade smiled. "Yeah, all of them."

Shizune left.

Sakura looked up at all the screens, reading the numbers and charts. "I…. wasn't in very good shape, was I?"

"Well, you were dead," Tsunade laughed.

"How-"

"Shh," Tsunade shushed, cutting Sakura off. "I'm sure you have plenty of questions, but all that matters is that you're okay. None of us could bear to lose you."

Rushed footsteps were heard out in the hallway, along with nurses hollering to slow down and about how not to run in a hospital.

Tsunade stood up, the bed's edge creaking as her weight left it. "I'll talk to you later, and answer all your questions," she said, then opened the door, exiting just in time for them to run in.

Of course, he entered first, barreling into the room and standing there, breathing deeply, and staring into her eyes as she stared right back. In less than a second he was there, next to her, embracing her like, well, like she had died and come back.

Ha-ha.

Sakura reached up, strength surging through her as she hugged him back.

"Oh my god," Deidara whispered against her shoulder. "You're okay, you're okay."

"Of course I'm okay, dummy," Sakura teased, but tears of joy shone in her eyes. She didn't want to let go, but Deidara released her, leaning back so she could see them.

Gaara was standing there, his casted arm in a sling and his whole body covered in almost healed bruises. He smiled at her, a genuine smile that not many people saw. Sasuke had bandages wrapped around his head, along with scrapes and cuts that had healed to pink lines, and he grinned at her.

"Hey, guys," Sakura said quietly, the words sounding lame even to her. She shook her head in disbelief, tears beginning to run down her face. "You guys…"

It was so group hug time. The three boys crowded around her, careful not to hurt her. Sakura felt like she was going to explode, there was so much joy inside of her. She was okay, they were okay, everyone was okay. Konoha was safe. It was all fine, and sunny, and just plain old dandy.

"You know, you've missed quite a bit of school," Gaara told her as they all released. "Everyone knows about your incident on your motorcycle. I can't believe you crashed so badly and got impaled near your heart."

Sakura laughed. "Is that what everyone was told?"

"It's pretty believable," Deidara said.

"True," Sakura agreed. "And what was the excuse for the giant battle and all the damage?"

"That was a giant tornado," Sasuke answered. "Though a lot of kids are spreading the rumor that there was a giant zombie attack."

They all laughed, and then it got quiet as Sakura looked at each one of them. She began to cry more.

"Are you okay?" Deidara asked, taking one of her hands.

"Yeah," Sakura replied. "Yeah… I'm just so glad that you guys are okay. So glad."

"We're glad that you're okay," Gaara said. "You know we care for you just as much."

"Enough to escape from our only means of safety, search for you all over Konoha during a giant battle, follow you through the forest and barge into a battle between you and that snake dude," Sasuke snorted.

"Which means we care for you a lot," Gaara translated.

"I know that," Sakura said quietly, squeezing Deidara's hand. It was warm and comforting, his rough artist hands squeezing her hand back. Suddenly, Sakura got a dark aura around her. "Which, by the way, it was COMPLETELY stupid to come after me like that, and not to mention all those other times, and to even run out into the fight like you could somehow make a difference and get hurt and-"

"Whoops, I better go feed my dog," Sasuke suddenly said, jumping up and heading for the door.

"You don't even have a dog!" Sakura shouted after him, but he was already gone. She fell back against the bed, winded from her shouting. She looked at Gaara.

"Hey, I'm not going be a chicken and give you some lame excuse," he said. Gaara leaned forward, kissing her head. "I'll see you later. Get better, okay?"

"Okay," Sakura agreed, smiling at him as he walked out of the room.

It was silent for a moment between the two, now that they were alone. Deidara kept a strong hold on Sakura's hand, not that she was planning on letting go anytime soon. Sakura fell forward, resting her head against his chest and contently closing her eyes.

"I'm so glad you're okay," she said quietly.

"You're glad that I'm okay?" Deidara repeated incredously. "I have feelings way beyond just being glad. I was so unbelievably worried about you. And, I mean… it was mostly my fault."

"Don't say that," Sakura replied sternly, picking her head up and staring straight into his eyes. "It wasn't your fault. I've been fighting for years, and I could have stopped him, but I didn't. I let my guard down."

"Why have you been fighting for years?" he asked, taking her other hand in his. "Why be a part of that, that organization…"

"The ANBU," Sakura replied, looking off towards the window. A few birds flitted past, outlined by the bright blue sky.

"The ANBU," Deidara repeated. "Who are they?"

"Special assassination and tactical squad," Sakura replied, reciting the standard words said when asked about her organization. "We're a secret organization, known only to a few ordinary civilians. We fight against the enemies of Konoha. We've definitely transformed from being just a squad…. There's five bases spread out over all of Konoha, each containing about a thousand people each. I… I'm pretty well known by everyone, ANBU and enemy." Sakura looked down, pulling a hand away and clenching and unclenching one of her fists. "I've become one of the highest ranked assassins out there, but then again, I've been training for so long…"

"How long?" Deidara asked. "How long have you been a part of them?"

"Ever since I was three," Sakura answered. She looked away, knowing what he was going to ask next and what her answer would have to be.

"Why did you join at such a young age?"

Sakura bit her lip. I don't have to tell him… yet, I want to.

"I didn't join," Sakura began. "I was taken in, by Tsunade. Since she's the head of ANBU, naturally I began training, and was worked even harder since she was my guardian too. She's been just like my mom for the past thirteen years. I used to live here, in Konoha," she said, gesturing towards the city outside of her window. "I lived in a small, cozy house up in the northern part of the city. I lived there with my parents for the first three years of my life."

"And then?" Deidara probed.

"They died," Sakura said simply, looking at her lap. "Orochimaru killed them."

Deidara was silent, and Sakura was almost afraid to look up. What was he thinking right now? She had no way of knowing unless he told her.

"So… you don't have parents either, huh?" he said.

Sakura nodded.

"Did… did you see it?"

Sakura looked up, meeting his gaze, and saw worry in his blue orbs. "No… they were on a mission. They were defending the Hokage," Sakura said. "It was what they always did, that's why we lived so close to the Hokage Tower… and they accomplished their mission. They were able to hold off Orochimaru while the Hokage made it to safety. Except… they gave their lives for their mission. And I'm proud of them for that." Sakura lifted her chin. "And I'm also willing to do the same."

Sakura let that sink in. I'm willing to give my life for the mission. I'd die proud. Deidara had to know that. She'd always try to make it back safe and sound to see him, but if it meant accomplishing the mission, she'd die for it.

"I understand," Deidara said softly, staring down at their clasped hands. "I guess I understand."

"I don't die easily," Sakura said.

"You just died a few weeks ago," Deidara reminded, looking up to meet her gaze with a half-smile.

"But that was for you," Sakura replied softly.

They stared into each other's eyes, knowing what the other was feeling. Sakura squeezed his hand harder, never wanting to let go.

"I wouldn't let you die for me again," Deidara decided. "Next time, I'll save you. I'll be the hero to swoop in."

Sakura laughed. "And steal my spotlight? No way!"

Deidara grinned at her as she laughed. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

Sakura's eyes widened slightly in surprise. A light blush crossed her cheeks. "Deidara, don't go all mushy-romantic on me."

It was Deidara's turn to laugh. "Hey, it's what a guy does when he's in love."

Sakura stared at him.

"Oh crap," Deidara said upon realization, his face turning red. "Did I really just say that out loud?"

"Yeah, you did," Sakura answered, grinning.

"Oh my god… I mean… I mean, I didn't mean to say it right now, yeah, but it just came out and-"

Sakura kissed him.

"You…" Deidara stared at her. "You just kissed me."

"Hey," Sakura replied, "it's what a girl does when she's in love."

Sakura leaned forward to kiss him again, and this time Deidara leaned forward too, kissing her back.

"You know," Deidara said as they came apart, though they still stayed close as they rested their foreheads together, "as the guy, I'm supposed to make the first move like that."

Sakura shrugged. "Eh, that just shows how much tougher I am than you."

"Say that again," Deidara challenged.

"That just shows how-"

Deidara crashed his lips into her, his hands reaching around and holding her back. Sakura relished his warmth and the softness of his lips. Her mind went blank, and nothing mattered at the moment except the two of them.

"Wha- Sakura! What are you doing?"

The two pulled back to see Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune standing at the door.

"No kissing in the hospital," Tsunade scolded, but she winked at the two of them, grinning.

"Why, Sakura, what is this?" Kakashi said, looking between Sakura and Deidara and back again. "You're kissing a boy? As basically your father, you should have talked to me first and I would have followed him around, stalking him with my assassin skills to make sure he's going to treat you right, and then captured him and taken him into interrogation and-"

"Kakashi," Sakura groaned. "Please, just STOP talking."

Deidara was laughing. "What, you think this is funny?" Sakura asked. "He's done it before, when I was fourteen, and I just had a little crush on a boy. The boy moved out of Konoha, Deidara. He left the country."

Deidara stared at her, wide-eyed. "Nice to meet you, sir," he said kindly, looking up at Kakashi with a scared smile.

"Yeah," Kakashi said, turning to walk out of the room, "I thought so."

o.O.0.O.o

Aaaah, what a sweet chapter. :'D A joy to write! I had fun writing this one for some reason. XD

I'm estimating that there's going to about two or three more chapters (one or two chapters and then a prologue)

Because I'm thinking about having a time skip to them spending Christmas together. :D XD But that's a could-or-couldn't do type of chapter. So there's at least another one, then the prologue.

I was looking through all the old chapters and reviews and I suddenly got hit with all this GaaSaku-ness. T.T

So I really want to write LRRS now. D: But I'm staying true to my word!

READ AND REVIEW PLEASE~!

Oh, and yes, that was a sucky kiss scene. XD But that isn't really my thing, so that's all you get! Now, BEGONE!