Chapter 14: Black and White
Little Falcon: I regret to inform you guys that I'll be busy this month but I'll update whenever I can so read and review and maybe I can update when I get a lot. Hahaha
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!!!
Her fingers tapped unconsciously as the scenery flew by the window with their speed. With great effort, she kept blinking back her building tears.
His jade eyes still took notice of his woman sitting beside him while he raced to the hospital she told him to go. While the lights were still red, Gaara gently placed his hand on top of her drumming fingers. "Calm down. She'll be okay," the way he said it was so honest, she could almost believe them to be true.
"I'm sorry. It's just that…" she can no longer continue to talk because if she did her tears would come relentlessly. And that was the last thing she wanted him and her mother to see.
"I understand," his smile reassured her somehow.
Gaara and Sakura ran in the hospital and to her mother's room.
Doctors and nurses filled the room and surrounded the old woman. A nurse left the room and immediately recognized Sakura. "Haruno-san (Ms. Haruno), you're mother is in critical condition. I'm sorry but you can't go in right now. I'll inform you of her progress," she said in a cold clinical manner then entered the room again.
Finally, she can no longer blink back her tears. Her vision instantly grew blurry as she saw her mom when the door opened for a moment. Her heart clenched so bad she feared it would stop beating entirely. She covered her mouth to keep herself from crying out loud.
The sight of her tears broke his heart. Without hesitation, Gaara pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. He closed his eyes in pain as he heard her cry openly against his chest.
For a while, they stayed like that even when her cries were reduced to sobs. He continued to tenderly stroke her hair and kiss her forehead.
Just with his warmth alone, the lady photographer felt so secure. She didn't plan on breaking down like that but when she felt his tight embrace it was as if her walls broke down easily. Quietly, she remained in his arms.
His jade eyes passed a glance at the room label containing the patient name and her doctor. His body froze immediately as his pupils dilated in response. "Haruno…Tsubaki," his voice shook as he read the label.
Sakura drew back to see Gaara's pale face. "That's my mother's name, why?"
Gaara roughly pushed her away from him as he leaned on the wall for support. His fingers ran through his unruly crimson hair. "May 9th sixteen years ago, your mom received her new heart from St. Andrew's hospital," his voice was barely audible but he didn't care. His vision was growing dim and his head was spinning.
"W…why do you know that?" her face also started to lose its color. It can't be… please don't tell me…
"I don't need to tell you…" his eyes looked at her accusingly. No traces of the warmth or gentleness he always gave her. That alone made her step back. "I hope she dies…"
SLAP!!!
All her fear and panic disappeared as she heard his last words. In reaction, she raised her hand and hit him with all the energy she had. Tears resumed their paths along her cheek as she watched Gaara wipe away the blood from his lip.
"Everyday since Mom received her heart. Everyday. She kept apologizing for being the one to live. Even if it wasn't her fault, she took all the blame for herself. She was the one who kept sending flowers to your mom's grave! Just because your Mom died first doesn't give you the right to say those words to her," her voice was shaking from both anger and incredible wretchedness.
There was a disturbing beeping in the room, making the doctors and nurses panic. When Sakura looked back at Gaara, he was gone. Her emerald eyes reflected the long white empty corridors of the hospital for the longest time.
When she heard the doctors leave the room together, she knew what to expect. Without waiting for one person to explain, she entered the room, her tears silently trickling down her chin.
All the machines attached to her were no longer beeping. The black screens mirrored the lifeless body on the bed. Without a sound, she sat on the bed and held her cold, bony hand against her tear stained cheek. Repeatedly, she kissed her mother's hand as her eyes never left her peaceful face.
Flashback…
"See? I told you your Mom's going to be okay," the good doctor smiled at the little pink haired girl as she sat obediently on her mom's bed.
Her emerald eyes watched her Mom's sleeping face. Clumsily, she got off the bed to follow the doctor to thank him. Again, she found herself lost in the endless corridors of the hospital.
Recognizing a common room, the little girl made her way towards it only to see a boy about her age with flaming red hair enter first. Curious, she peeked through the open door.
"I've only got these…" the little boy laid down a handful of pennies on the doctor's desk.
"…What are these for?" the doctor gazed at the kid with a sad look in his eyes.
"How much are miracles?" the little boy asked honestly. His jade eyes looking at the doctor hopefully. "You told my Dad that it would take a miracle to help Mom. How much are they? I can get my sister and my brother to pay as well," he tugged the doctor's sleeve, as if begging for an answer.
End of Flashback…
Sakura stood in front of a closed door with a paper bag in her hand. The clothes she wore when they rushed to the hospital didn't belong to her so she found it an unspoken obligation to return it.
What am I doing? Temari would probably throw these away anyway. Having no choice, she left the paper bag at the doorstep and made her way to the elevator.
"Sakura?" an older blond female smiled at her weakly. "Can I talk to you?" Temari lead the way.
Little Falcon: Read and review please…