Ha ha ha as bad as it sounds I absolutely loved your guys' reaction to all the drama in the previous chapter :). I even got a rise out of some of you coughcoughkt.1z.awesomecoughcough. But I did warn you, and I understand that I left a really bad cliffie, so I decided I'd try and right this as fast as possible and a little earlier for my loveable (yet currently emotionally disturbed) readers because I hate them as bad as the next person XD (yet I love to do it).
That and I'll be so extremely busy until Thurs, so I thought, "my readers have been so freaken awesome to me, so why not ACTUALLY upload a little early for them in honor of Memorial day?"
This chapter should lighten the mood (for) a little bit. :) (But only slightly)
BUT READ THE COMMENT BY YOUR NAME AND SAVANNAH'S FIRST!!
Special Thanks To:
Namine-sama- (XD you truly are one of my favorite readers. Haha. You're one of the reasons I wanted to update so soon.)
Never-quits-Never-backs-down- (. kyaaa I made my reader cry. Awe yay!! I'll be sure to read it when it comes out! Just keep me posted :D!)
QuietRiver- (XD heh. You shall see. You shall you shall. And I'm not sure but I did notice that I'm getting mad at how LONG this thing is! I might edit and cut out a few chapters once this is all done. But only if you guys want me too.)
Laxusclien4- (I actually have a strange urge to put Karin in this story, but I'm not sure how to really fit her in…yet. That was actually a pretty good idea though. Maybe you can use it in one of your own stories :). I'll be happy to read it.)
Rawriamabanana
xXSnow.FozXx
crispy geco-chan- (ahh my long comments. I live for these. And DON'T EVER SAY THAT :O! I care as much about my readers as I do getting these chapters up for you guys! You guys are the reason why I've been writing this for so long in the first place! You complete me online :). I actually do have ideas for writing, but I'm not sure. Some of it will be fiction, but some will sort of deal what I've gone through in my life. AHHH!! Crispy-chan XD! You're so cruel to your friends. Milk smells bad after awhile O.o…try something not liquid…y…like crackers or bananas…)
xXSasuxSakuXx- (XD sorry no can do. I love you guys but I mean I'm still terrible. And never ever assume on my wonderfully long and unpredictable roller coaster ride! Because just when you think that tunnel you're in is good, I'll make it drop directly down. Heh )
Haru-desu- (my cuddly reader :). I enjoy your cute-faced reviews. But a word of advice…don't break your computer :O)
Savannah- (You know hates a strong word X). And honestly guys, you have to think about it. Sasuke IS an UCHIHA and when does he EVER give up when there's something he wants? Take his revenge for example in the manga/anime. THINK ABOUT IT –just gave you guys a hint to ease the pain…heh See? I went to church yesterday. I'm not that terrible.)
….
HinataMusaCorneliaRenee- (You guys might actually beat me with this next pairing. But after going back and watching Shippuden I just had to do it XD.
Cutebutweirdlucy18- (two months or so. And I never said he "stopped breathing" XD. DON'T ASSUME O.O! Heh heh heh. Just read Savannah –3 people above you- to find a hint to later chapters. I'm not entirely horrible. I just wanted to see how bad I could get a rise outta you guys. I love it XD!)
ItaSaku29- (X3 awweee thank you mah new reader I hope you'll stick by me till the end!)
Sasusaku779- (it's like crack for the fanfiction readers. And I'm the drug dealer. but you're truly adorable to wear black because of my story. I think I'm flattered in a strange way…)
XsequanachanX- (YOU'RE A NEW READER!! AHH!! GUYS SERIOUSLY TELL ME THIS!! Please stick by me till the end, I promise to make it worth your while with the sacrifice of a couple chairs…because I'll mess with your mind :) )
amyXD- (O.o –holds up stick of dynamite- nani? Oh and I know that Asuma COUGHCOUGHDIESCOUGH. But yes she's my fav girl)
WooHooDork
Drake Hellion
Kt.1z.awesome-(YOU'RE OFFICIALLY MY FAVORITE READER!! HAHA!! I seriously love you. Even if that was sort of mean I almost peed my pants XD. Heh I like cry from laughing when I read this…I don't know why. Maybe I am senile :). Read the reply next to Savannah's name (she's up -see the arrow- that way) to have some comfort :D.)
Oh.bonita (new reader!!)
Sakura the lover
Kurai hi
I love Hershey
SasuSaku13636- (don't be in denial, just keep reading. You shall get satisfaction. Haha)
Kakashi500
Minniemousemom
HoshikoK- (no problem :). You were the main motivation behind this chapter. Otherwise you guys would've had to wait. I hope you had a good birthday despite my heart breaking chapter.)
One2bLoved- (can't help it XD. It's the drug craving at the end of every chapter! And I do plan to have another story out after Rose is done. I created it before Will You Let Me Go, Sakura? And I Just Can't Let You Go, Sasuke! Was released, but I never put it on here. Look out for it, it'll be called Holding Her Last Breath: Just 3 Days)
Liljapangrl03
Miss Aerith- (NANI? You're working with kt?! :D yatta!! I knew I loved you guys!! Keep me updated about this and I'll be sure to be one of the first to R&R! :). Btw….would it KILL you to update YOUR story O.o? I mean it's unfair that you're depriving me of MY drug –your fanfiction-!)
Lito-pink-chihuahua (new reader! Your name made me laugh :). It's cute. Made me think of a Chihuahua with a pink sweater on and shivering.)
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'I'm sorry, but this is goodbye. I'm leaving Uchiha castle tomorrow.'
The pink-haired woman's words replayed back in his head. And each time they hit him like a ton of bricks.
Fate truly was a cruel element in the world. Things were going great, but almost coincidentally Ino had appeared and ruined everything! But what pained him the most was the fact all the time he had spent with her, falling for her, kissing her was all for nothing.
Because she was choosing her friendship over him. Him! Uchiha Sasuke!
'You're being selfish. Can you blame her? She's the first person she formed a bond with. Would it be possible to let someone like that go? Besides, you already said it would be selfish of you to keep her here without letting her fulfill her goals. Perhaps it's better this way?' the voice in the back of his head asked calmly.
Sasuke grit his teeth angrily, ignoring the servants who had quickly run to dry him off. Yozu had sent them to order Sasuke to return immediately. He, after all, was the Lord. And how would they look if he suddenly disappeared in the midst of it?
But after his argument with Saku-no…the woman who had stepped into his life and then left just as quickly as she had come- he had no desire to do anything but crawl into his lonely bed and sleep forever.
As the young Uchiha heir glumly returned to his ball, Orochimaru and Kabuto watched him closely from the shadows; a smirk appeared on his face evilly as he laughed softly. "Now that the flower and Kaito have been taken care of…we shall commence the take over of the Uchiha kingdom…just like a domino affect."
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Saito dragged Kaito's motionless body through a hidden passage way and into the lunar room which he had stumbled upon many years ago.
"Forgive me…Kaito-san. I never meant for any of this to happen to you…it's just that I opposed how much you favored Uchiha-sa…no…Sasuke. He's much too young to rule a country let alone Konoha. Then Orochimaru came into the picture and offered everything I had hoped for and more! Though I'm not entirely for such cruel methods, I cannot oppose him-at least yet. He promises to give me power in the new kingdom he builds once Sasuke is out of the picture." The old man explained as he set the man down on the floor.
As he began to gather medicinal herbs to open up the man's robes and found the large open wound, oozing crimson on the Uchiha crested rug. He cringed at the sight, but then realized that though the wound was serious it not fatal and could easily be treated.
Gaara had failed to grant the old man death. But was it an accident? Orochimaru had absently told him once that up until the attack on Hinata he had never failed in killing the people he was ordered to.
'I'm surprised he's still breathing…If it was intentionally fatal or not Kaito should be dead considering how old he is. His will to live and protect Konoha is truly remarkable.' Saito thought.
Saito crushed the herbs with his hands quickly over the man's body so a pastel green liquid from the plant dripped onto the wound. Though he had kept it a secret for many decades he was quite skilled when working with medicinal herbs. But of course he would've had to train the troublesome pink-headed girl had he admitted this, so he decided to continue to keep it a secret.
"I don't know why I'm bothering trying to keep you alive…perhaps it's out of pity." He told the old man who was obviously in near comatose state. But with relief he watched steam emit from the spots where the strange green liquid had hit the wound and watched it begin to close the wound slowly but surely.
After a few minutes of waiting he pressed the now mashed herbs onto Kaito's body. He spread it lightly over the still enflamed-but no longer open- gash before ripping part of the man's yukata (a/n: top to a man's kimono like robes and hakama is the pants to it. Think of Inuyasha and his clothing if you don't know what I'm talking about XD) and wrapping it around his waist.
'I treated his wounds, but that doesn't mean he'll wake up anytime soon. Luckily this shall prove alright for me. There's no way anyone can enter here unless they're with someone of Uchiha blood or have had Uchiha blood on their hands…' Saito thought staring at his hands for a second. He had once been one of the most trusted elder's by Uchiha Mikoto and had often accompanied her when she was pregnant with Sasuke and again when she was sickly.
When Mikoto had died she had left a note to him (that burned promptly after reading) that there were rooms only accessible if an Uchiha was by their side. For many years he was troubled by this, for the beautiful and young Mikoto's blood had been spilt on her death bed. The sickness that had plagued her had made her cough up a fatal amount of blood.
And although he would've never admitted to it, he had fallen in love with Mikoto after the many years he served her. So, when he was cleaning it off her cold, lifeless body, Saito touched her face and felt the warm liquid against his skin. Only then did he learn the sad loophole in her note; he had found out that they could also be accessed if the rare blood had ever gotten on another's hands.
After that the old man hated the sight of blood including the color red in general. It haunted him every day of his life for the Uchiha crest itself was a red and white fan.
As Saito made his way back to the passageway entrance that would take him to Orochimaru's office he looked back at the man he had saved and prayed that the evil men he was cohering with wouldn't see through his treason.
'I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me one day, Kaito-san…but most of all, my dearest Mikoto-sama; for plotting against your son.' he thought before he hurried down the passage way and back to Orochimaru.
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You're just like your father…
The next morning Sakura awoke uncomfortably by jerking into a sitting position. The memories of last night even haunted her in her dreams. She was puffy-eyed and cold; absently realizing that she was still in the damp dress the women dressed her in. Her sheets were stained with various colors from her make-up that had been ruined by the rain and her tears. After her fight with Sasuke Sakura had retreated to her room and asked not to be disturbed; only keeping it together long enough to put up a front.
The guards complied with her request but were baffled by it. No, they decided, thinking reasonably; that she was probably just tired and didn't want to be bothered. After all it WAS her birthday. But when they strolled by her room they could've sworn they heard the woman's muffled sobs.
But inside her room the broken woman was crying. In fact, she was crying so hard and loud she had to shove a pillow into her mouth and bite down to keep the guards from hearing her.
She sneezed and shivered before stripping out of the dress and putting on set of fresh undergarments and a kimono. Painfully she rubbed one of her swollen eyes. This was the hardest she had probably cried in a long time. Perhaps in her entire life.
'This is goodbye. I'm leaving Uchiha castle tomorrow.'
Somehow, the tears fell from her eyes once more. Of course it wasn't fair to blame Sasuke for Ino's anger. He was unaware of her promise to her, ignorantly falling in love with her without knowing of the consequences.
She should've told him.
But would he have listened? Would he have cared about what the blonde woman had said? He WAS the unruly Uchiha after all. Uncontrollable like the fire being fanned by his clan. Perhaps it was better this way.
Quietly she packed her bags. Her mind screamed at her, mentally slapped her. Hell, even got down on their knees and begged her to be reasonable, but all the reason left in her had died last night.
'I have to get things right with Ino.' Sakura thought to herself as she picked up a brush from the floor. 'She I owe her family everything. It's not fair if I stay here. If I hadn't gone out to get that pregnancy test for her I would've never ran into Sasuke and…none of this would've been possible.'
She smiled bitterly. 'But I've learned a lot from this experience.' And that was true. Sakura learned that not all men were what Ino would call "douche bags" but could be understanding and sweet. She also learned a great deal about medicinal herbs and treating patients under her care. But most of all she learned compassion and how to open up her heart.
'It's time I left anyway. Hinata finally got her voice back anyway. That was the whole reason why I came here in the first place…it wasn't for Sasuke, it wasn't for creating bonds. This was to become a doctor.'
As she gathered her bags Sakura walked out of her room and confronted the guard. "Takeyuki-san, could you please escort me down to the castle entrance? I decided I'm leaving Uchiha castle."
Shocked by this statement the somewhat handsome man looked at her with a puzzled expression. "H-Haruno-san…if you don't mind me asking…why would you want to do such a thing?"
"I've…overstayed my welcome." The pinkette responded while looking up at him and gave him a forced smile. Only then did the guard see her tear-stained face, the forced and broken smile, and still partially swollen eyes. What had happened at the ball to make break her this way? Had someone insulted her? Perhaps she had gotten into a fight with the lord?
"I…" he paused to look down at the woman's near-breaking point expression underneath her collected features. How selfish would he be if he begged her to stay? Though he would never admit it, and she didn't seem to know, there didn't seem to be a guard in Uchiha castle that hadn't been infatuated by Sakura's innocent beauty and charm.
"If that is what you wish, Haruno-san."
The guard escorted her quietly down to the entrance and grabbed her bags. She gave him another forced smile when he offered to get a kago ready for her. "Thank you, but no. I prefer to walk to town. I want to burden anyone here anymore." She paused to look at the way of the infirmary. The halls were still quiet. She wondered if Shikamaru was up yet?
But before Takeyuki could protest she turned to him. "I'm going to say goodbye to Hinata before I go. You don't have to wait for me if you don't want to-"
"Please. I will, Haruno-san. Take your time." He replied with a warm smile. Unfortunately she couldn't return it without it being fake. And that would be rude. Her mouth turned upward into what was a failed attempt at a smile before hurrying down the long hallway.
The man watched her retreating figure. 'Haruno-san…'
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"Hinata, are you awake?" she whispered to the girl turned on her side. She watched the woman with midnight blue hair turn to look up at her with an innocent lavender stare. "Sa…kura…-san?" she asked hesitantly. She had been without a voice for so long it was almost difficult to talk and some of her words came out scratchy.
Sakura gave her a sad smile. "I'm glad you have your voice back, Hinata." She whispered, trying to make some kind of small talk. After all, this would probably be the last time she would see her. Ever.
But the heiress seemed to sense that all was not well. "…Are you leaving?" she asked, almost disheartened. The emerald eyed girl stared at her with surprise. "How did you-"
This time it was Hinata's turn to give a sad smile. "P-People always have u-undeniable gloom in their eyes w-when they're leaving a place they a-aren't ready to leave." She explained in simplest terms.
Sakura looked down at her feet. "I broke a promise, and I have to make amends. Besides," she paused to grab Hinata's hands. "The whole point of me coming here was to treat you. And now that you got your voice back I can leave."
Silence waved over them before the heiress asked, "…S-So you're just leaving without saying goodbye to the others?"
Sakura thought about this and nodded her head while her mind screamed:
'SHE'S RIGHT! WHAT ABOUT SASUKE?! WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU' GUYS HAVE BEEN THROUGH?! DOESN'T HE DESERVE AN APOLOGY?! EVEN A GOODBYE BEFORE YOU LEAVE?!'
"You're the only person. It'd be too painful to say goodbye to the others." She replied quietly. And she was sure Sasuke would try to stop her as well.
B-But you're in love with Sasuke-sa-"
"Don't say his name!" She interjected shakily as she closed her eyes. She couldn't bear to hear his name let alone think about him. Otherwise she would burst into tears. And that was something her pride wouldn't allow her to do.
"Arigato…S-Sakura-san." Hinata told her timidly, which made Sakura look up at the girl who was smiling. "…I owe you my life. You, Shikamaru-kun, Kiba-kun, Naruto-kun-"
"Please don't thank me. You helped me more than I did you. I'll miss you Hinata." She replied softly before leaving the room. But as the door closed Hinata's eyes fell along with her smile. 'I hope she realizes she's making a mistake by leaving before it's too late…'
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When Sakura and Takeyuki came to escort her outside she looked up at the sky. It had stopped raining. Was it because she was leaving Uchiha castle?
She turned back at the man. "Thank you. For everything."
"Haruno-san- does that mean you're leaving without saying goodbye?" the guard asked hesitantly. But the pinkette gave him another fake smile as she nodded. "They probably wouldn't take letting me go so lightly. Especially Naruto. He'd probably throw a fit if he saw me leaving like this."
After a few more words were exchanged Sakura grabbed her bags and headed towards the town. But Takeyuki called her back. "…Haruno-san, you're always welcome here at Uchiha castle…I hope to see you return to us one day."
She did her best to smile this time, succeeding only partially, before she turned her back on him, the other guards, Uchiha castle, and Sasuke all together.
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"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S GONE?!" Naruto yelled in complete shock when he came to see Hinata. The woman didn't meet his eyes after telling him this. "S-She just told me that she overstayed her welcome and it w-was time to leave-"
"SAKURA-CHAN CAN'T BE GONE- SHE JUST CAN'T!!" he interjected in denial.
"Calm down, Naruto!" Shikamaru told him as he walked in. He had heard him yelling even from the hallway and was just as shocked as he was. "It was her choice to leave."
Naruto looked down. "Still…" his voice trailed off. It was unlike the pink-haired woman to run off like this, especially without thinking. She was a sensible woman.
"It's troublesome, but perhaps it was time for her to leave-"
"Are you saying that we were better off without her?!"
"I didn't say that." Shikamaru replied quietly. "But her purpose was to help Hinata, not to stay here."
Naruto fell silent. "but she didn't even say goodbye…" Naruto mumbled under his breath as he looked down at the cart he was clenching. "N-Naruto-kun-"
"I mean, Sakura-chan was the best thing that happened to Uchiha castle...so why the hell would leave like that!!"
And it was true; nothing could replace the touch of a woman in the men-bound castle. She has goals to fulfill. It would be selfish of us to ask her to come back unless it was on her own accord."
"Aah, she left an everlasting impression on us. Perhaps it was even better for her to leave so quietly-"
"How could you say that?!" the blonde snarled, spinning around to face the calm pony-tailed man. "If you saw her leaving, do you honestly think you would allow her to? Besides, despite all the bonds she created here it would be too troublesome to explain herself to every single one."
The blonde was at a loss of words, and after a few minutes of silence Shikamaru decided to leave. There was still business to take care of. Which left Naruto and Hinata.
At first, the two were silent, every now and then they would glance at each other, but no words would be exchanged. "N-Naruto-kun…" Hinata asked quietly.
He grunted in response. "How…do you feel about Sakura-chan?" this made him look up at her from where he was sitting. "…When I first met her, I thought she was really pretty, just like all the other women. I never thought I'd meet a girl that wouldn't DIE if Sasuke-teme looked at her."
She stayed silent as he went on. "Then I spent the day with her, and I really started to like her, but…at the ball last night…when she was dancing with Sasuke…I realized that maybe…she's better off with him?"
Hinata felt her cheeks burn pink. He didn't sound like his normal, never-failingly chipper self but hurt and vulnerable. Did he care so much about Sakura that he would stop pursuing her romantically for her happiness? He truly was a selfless and noble person…"I…admire you, Naruto-kun." She said softly. Though it was barely audible the blonde was able to hear it.
"Eh? Why's that Hinata-chan?"
"W-Well…because you really like Sakura-san, but because you know Sasuke-san will treat her right you…" but Hinata couldn't finish as looked up to see him grinning. "I never said Sasuke-teme would treat her right! Sakura-chan told me once that she didn't like him or even that he's lord. But she looks like she'd be happier with him than me."
The heiress nearly fell out of her bed. He was simply going by looks? Maybe he wasn't as noble and selfless as she had thought…
"Besides," he decided to add, walking over to the window and opening it to let in the morning breeze and sun's bright rays along with the fresh scent of dew. "Sasuke may be a bastard, a selfish, stubborn son of a-"
"Naruto-kun!"
"Err…but my point is Sakura-chan's the first girl that actually had her own idea about him beforehand. She got to know the real Sasuke like I did." He turned to look out the window this time. "I can't really explain it, but I think I love Sakura-chan. Only more like a sister now."
Hinata's lavender eyes stared in his direction, and they widened in awe for the blonde seemed to be shining in the sunlight with his gallant, ditzy grin and spiky blonde hair. 'N-Naruto-kun…looks so cool…' she thought, which made her blush and look down at her hands which were squirming wildly.
"Hinata-chan, since you have your voice back does…that mean you'll be leaving soon too?" Naruto asked almost sadly. The woman thought about this. It hadn't crossed her mind once since she had come here. Perhaps the stories that her cousin Neji had told her about the Uchihas were wrong after all?
"M-Most likely. I-I haven't given it much thought-"
"Wait! Hinata-chan! Where's Gaara?!" Naruto interjected, just now noticing that the red-headed man was no longer lying in his bed. Had he been gone all this time?
But as he said his name Hinata's head suddenly thrusted back as her eyes began to strain and their normal plum color turned a pearly one. That's when she saw…
A man was lying on the floor covered in blood. A kunai lied beside him while two pairs of feet stood on either side of him. "No good…will come out of your decision…" he murmured before his eyes began to dilate.
Was this man dead?
"Orochimaru-shisou what shall we do about this man's body?" a man with a cold voice asked, only it sounded very familiar. The man grinned evilly. "Saito will take care of the body. But now onto other matters, my prized weapon…you shall continue you dispose of the people that stand in my way until there is only one…"
"Hai."
"Hi…ch….Hina…cha…n…HINATA-CHAN!!" Naruto told her as he shook her violently. Finally, the vision stopped and she took in a deep gulp of air. Naruto was practically on top of her with wide, worried cobalt eyes.
"Someone…someone d-d-d-ied…someone…" she stammered as she shook. Why were these visions coming to her? Had it already happened? Was it going to happen like in her other premonitions? If only Sakura was here…
"Whoa what're you talking about?"
"Shikamaru…please get…Shikamaru…" she told him still shakily. As Naruto ran to get Shikamaru Hinata thought about the images she saw. Orochimaru and Saito were involved in a killing along with another man. But what scared her the most was the fact that everything seemed so familiar; as if she had been in the room where this man had been or was going to be stabbed.
Was or would she be present when someone was going to die?
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Sakura took a deep breath as stood outside the flower shop. Every part of her body seemed to be shaking internally, and she couldn't move.
You're just like your father.
What if Ino didn't forgive her? She had grown up with her long enough to know that she never forgave the people that hurt her. But would Sakura be an exception? The pinkette had been her friend for as long as she could remember. Would she let something go over a boy she would never get and a broken promise?
But she was violently brought out of her thoughts as Ino's voice yelled through the shop. "If you're going to come inside just do it! You're shooing away all my customers."
Slowly, Sakura pulled back the door, hearing the soft jingle of the bell above the door. The pinkette found the blonde woman with her back turned to her- a certain giveaway that she was P-I-S-S-E-D- and was angrily watering her flowers.
Silently she stood by the door, praying that she wouldn't throw a tantrum and throw the watering can at her.
"Well? You obviously came here for something. You aren't a plant. Spit it out and then you can be on your way…" She snapped without looking at her.
"I…just wanted to apologize Ino…I never meant to break your promise but-"
"I don't want to hear it Sakura! Just go back to Uchiha castle because no one but Sasuke-kun wants you-"
"You're being completely unreasonable Ino!!" Sakura protested as the woman spun around and marched right up to her.
"I'M UNREASONABLE?! ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS YOUR PRECIOUS SASUKE-KUN!!"
"That's not true!! If I didn't care about you I wouldn't be standing here right now-"
"LIAR!! YOU'RE A BACKSTABBING WHORE WHO DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HER FRIENDS-"she paused to sneer and put her hands on her hips mockingly. "Your mother would be proud. We ALL know HER reputation-"
Finally, Sakura couldn't take it anymore. She had been insulted, slapped, and walked out on. And sure, it hurt that Ino, her best friend, had compared her to her father of all people. But when she called her and her mother a whore, she had crossed the line.
With a vicious, monstrous amount of strength, Sakura's hand connected with the blonde woman's cheek which made her go flying over the counter and hit the wall with a loud thud. How could Sakura harbor this much strength! It was as if she had been hit with a shopping cart yet she had just slapped her! Had she finally snapped? (a/n: see!! I'm not entirely evil I added the analogy shopping cart!! )
The pink-haired woman's eyes glowed with rage as she stared at the blue-eyed woman and picked her up by her shirt. "Don't. Ever. Say. That. Again." she told her through gritted teeth. "I tried my hardest to keep my promise to you! I thought about nothing BUT you! But you're selfish and ungrateful! I gave up the opportunity of a LIFETIME because of YOU! So cut me so fucking slack okay?!" she screamed.
The hurt in her eyes was visible behind the blind fury. And it made Ino fall completely silent, only able to nod. Never had she seen Sakura so angry.
"I got to know Sasuke as a person and realized that I was completely wrong about him…do you think that it was EASY living with that realization?!"
"Sakura…"
"It wasn't even my fault! Sasuke was the one that kissed ME first! Then he treated me like I actually MEANT something...that I was special…but all YOU cared about was your obsession with him!"
"Sakura I…"
"Have you ever thought about what I'VE wanted?! The entire time I've been living with you have you ever once did something I wanted to do unless it could benefit YOU in some way?! I understand that your family took me in but that doesn't mean boss me around like you own me!! I'm officially 18 now so I can do whatever the HELL I want so-"
"Sakura! Please! I get it. You're pissed off." Ino interjected almost calmly. Though it hadn't been how she wished Sakura would confront her about her needs this was the first time Sakura had truly stuck up for herself and said what was on her mind.
The blonde put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry for flipping out on you. I was…just mad that Sasuke had chosen you from the very beginning."
Sakura looked puzzled. Why was she being so calm about this? Ino seemed to read her expression and grinned at her. "I met someone the other day. He's from Uchiha castle too!"
She thought about this. Who could she be talking about?
"He came by to talk to me about you…"
"You! Why are you here?" The pushy blonde woman demanded as the drenched man walked in. "I'm here to talk to you…about Sakura-san." The man replied.
"Eh? So she was low enough to send some guy to do her dirty work-"
"No, I overheard you yelling at her and I decided to take in into my own accord." He interjected but in a mysteriously polite way. And what the hell was wrong with this guy's face? Was he trying to smile??
"I see…how many guys has she messed around with at Sasuke-kun's castle anyway?" Ino demanded snippily. The man seemed confused by this but continued. "Excuse me for saying so, but I think you acted a little harshly with Sakura-san."
Before Ino could argue the man put up a hand and continued. "Over the course of time Sakura-san has shown up at Uchiha castle Sasuke-san has been more content. Perhaps I could say…happy. He's…formed an unbreakable bond with Sakura-san."
"Why did you come all the way here just to tell me that they've had sex?!" The blonde woman shouted, almost insulted. First, this pale man walks into her flower shop and talks about Sakura and Sasuke, and now he was talking to her about "bonds"? What the hell!
"That's…not what I meant. Please take Sakura-san's situation into consideration."
"Giving orders now, eh, Mr. Smiley?" she mocked. But he didn't get it and kept an emotionless expression. "My name is Sai-"
"NEVER MIND!! Why should I forgive Sakura anyway?"
"I'm not saying forgive her. Simply take her case into consideration. She makes Sasuke-san happy. And as her best friend you should think of her needs more than your own. At least, that's what I read in a book."
Ino's face scrunched up into a strange expression. Now this guy was telling her stuff out of a book?! What kinda guy did he think he was?! But he DID look a little similar to Sasuke…
"Hmmpf. I'll think about it. Sakura's always been pushed around when she was little. But I can't blame her. Her mother died and her dad practically abandoned her. If she admits that she's broken her promise to me and tells me that she's in love with Sasuke I'll forgive her. And don't you DARE tell her this or I'll come after you."
The man gave her another fake smile. "Arigato. I won't speak a word of this. Ano…(a/n: also eto which means umm... ) I never got your name."
"Eh? It's Yamanaka Ino."
'To symbolize friendship most come up with nicknames for each other.' Sai thought, reciting a part of a book in his head. He kept the fake smile going before he spoke. "I see…gorgeous."
"He thinks I'm gorgeous, Sakura!" Ino told her as she remembered the conversation with Sai as if he had proposed to her. 'Sai called HER gorgeous?! CHE! I'd have to see it to believe it…he's worse than Sasuke was in a conversation!!' Inner Sakura yelled.
'True, but I DO owe him. I don't think I'd be able to earn Ino's forgiveness if he hadn't come here…I'd have to thank him…' but then she realized she had left Uchiha castle. There was no way she could go back now. After that stunt she pulled with Sasuke would truly live up to his reputation if he ever saw her again. She was sure of it.
After he had opened his heart to her, but she pushed him away because she had broken a promise to her obsessed pushy friend and had chosen her over his love…Sakura would be lucky if he even looked at her if she would go to apologize.
"Ne, Sakura! That necklace…it's beautiful! Was it your mother's?" Ino exclaimed as she looked at the necklace. She was completely oblivious to who actually gave her the necklace. Thank Kami.
"I…yeah. I think she wanted me to have it when I turned 18." Sakura lied, trying to smile through it. Luckily, Ino interpreted her fake smile as a sad one. "I know you miss your mom. Hell, I miss her too…but hey, look on the bright side billboard brow! You're finally 18 and you can do whatever the hell you want just like you told me!"
"Aah…right." Sakura mumbled, not wanting to do whatever she wanted. Because the ONLY thing she wanted to do was go back to Sasuke. But of course she couldn't do that. To him, she was probably nothing more than a vixen who lead him on and stole his heart before ripping it in two and giving it back to him. She had even walked out on him without a goodbye…
Though the tears begged and pleaded to come out, Sakura held them in and pretended to be happy; reunited with her best friend. But inside, she was dying. 'Gomeni…Sasuke. Gomen…'
TBC…
. hopefully you guys aren't too mad at me now. Unfortunately, you guys probably won't get anything until NEXT SUNDAY…well…maybe Friday or Saturday if the last portion of my finals doesn't kill me.
Till nxt time!
xxasukachanxx