Chapter 3: Salty Red Liquid









Warm... so warm...'

It was so refreshing to be in such a comfortable place, being enclosed like a child in her mothers arms at night. Sakura wished she could stay that way forever, or at least for a long time. Of course, in the back of her head, she knew that was never long enough. Soon enough, something woke her up to the harsh, cold normal plane. She yawned loudly, and quite obviously, and slowly opened her eyes.

She was treated to an ugly site of reality; the thick, never-ending haze and smoke, dead tree's that seemed to stretch forever upwards in the fog, and the dead carcass of a deer Shino had slew for food the night before. Of course, Shino was squatting by the fire. Akamaru was nearby, chewing on a bone, and every now and then, lifting his head up and licking his muzzle.

Sakura was also one of the few outside of Shino's clan to see him shirtless. He was amazingly thin, and what meat he did have on his bones were condensed into muscle, giving him a very rugged, very worn look. He was no Sasuke, she knew, but he was still handsome nonetheless.

She looked down at her blanket, which was Shino's overcoat, brought it up to her face, warming the chilled skin and hiding her very pleased smile.

Breakfast is on, Shino stated sullenly, surprising Sakura. He didn't move his head or give any indication that he acknowledged her waking up, which unnerved Sakura a little, before realizing his glasses did an excellent job hiding where they wandered.

Sakura put Shino's jacket on backwards, and moved to the fire. Shino cut off a fresh peace of meat, and gave it to Sakura.

Thank you, Shino, the pink haired girl said.

Shino shrugged. You're welcome.

The two of them eating in silence, and unknowingly played a game of Who Can Look At Each Other Without the Other Seeing You The Most with Shino currently in the lead, thanks to his one-way glasses, until finally Sakura broke the game and asked Shino about the scars over his eyes.

Shino, I... um... how did you get those scars above your eyes? If you don't want to say anything, please say so.. she said hurriedly. Shino, in the first real acknowledgment that morning, regarded her coolly.



Sakura looked away. Like Kakashi-sensei?

Not quite, but yes, similar to Kakashi-sensei...

Another awkward silence fell, and the game recommenced, only to be postponed by, I need to get back to work.

Shino looked at her oddly.

Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked. Akamaru perked his ears up, but did nothing.



Shino looked at her again, and saw her worried face creasing the skin.



Sakura gave a look of irritation.

Geez, can't you escort me back? What if the Grass ninja's get me?

Shino reared his head back slightly. No need to get agitated. You could have just asked me.

He gave a quick glance at Akamaru, who had a very human smile on his face, brought his head down on his paws, and rolled over.

Sometimes...' Shino thought bitterly, I wonder just how human this dog is...'

Very well, I shall escort you back to Konoha, Shino said, and slowly stood up. Sakura gave a harrumph' and turned her back on him, and for an instant, she lost all the charm he saw in her, and he wished nothing more for Sakura to be caught by the Grass ninja's.

But she turned around, and smiled. It was enough for him to remember how beautiful and friendly she was. When she's not angry, of course, he heard she was a real corker when mad.

Sakura seemed to have claimed Shino's jacket as her own, and for a moment, Shino considered arguing with her for it, but realized he was just being sentimental, and shrugged it off. He walked towards Sakura-



Damn! Why is a Leaf ANBU doing on our operating table!?

Shut up Gilgame, you are not in charge here, do the transplant!



What part of what I said don't you understand, Gilgame?! The cadaver is right beside him, do the math!



Sakura ran towards Shino, whose head jerked unnaturally, tripped and fell on the ground in front of her. Almost immediately, Shino got back on his feet, and was wobbling around.

I'm fine, I'm fine... he muttered, and quickly stabilized himself.

Sakura said nothing, and looked at him with eyes of understanding. He wanted to tell her, no, she didn't understand, she will never understand, and he doesn't want her to understand. He didn't want her sympathy.

The next part shocked him, and would forever remain in his memories: Sakura wrapped her arms around him, and embraced him tightly. Common sense told him to push her away, but instinct vetoed that motion, and Shino remained paralyzed in Sakura's grasp. He felt her move her mouth, and utter the words Shino never wished to hear again.

I'm sorry...

Shino wanted to say, but it was caught in his throat, and all he uttered was something incomprehensible.

He shut his eyes.

Before all this happened, before he was so weak, his mind worked in an efficient manner: he had a loud and brash voice in his mind, a quiet, meek, cowardly voice, and a strong, silent mediator. The mediator in his mind always took what the brash voice said, and downplayed it to the point of being reasonable, and amplified the meek voice, to make Shino more aware of things he had missed.

Now...

He felt Sakura's warmth being quickly transferred to him, and he felt a large lump form in his throat.

The mediator has long since gone, and because the loud and quiet voices were so used to the compromising, they regulated themselves. But now, they are getting out of hand. Emotions Shino once thought were gone came surfacing back at the most inopportune times, embarrassing emotions came back, and he sometimes felt so strange, that he wondered if he had indeed died, and was just a wandering corpse.

If you want to cry... You can... I won't think of you any less...

Shino nodded slowly. I know...

Sakura released Shino slowly, and looked at him, sadness and sorrow in her eyes. Shino looked away. I apologize, I did not mean to upset you... he bowed his head. Thank you, Sakura-chan.

He braved another look at her, and was amazed by the quiet smile she gave him.

It'll be allright, whatever it is, she said soothingly.

For some reason... that look on her face... to Shino... made everything seem worthwhile.









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I realize, that I may make some characters appear weaker than they usually are. It's rather tough to make them strong in this kind of fic. Anyways, WOW, I never received so many reviews in my career for two chapters. Thanks a million. Who woulda thunk it, eh?