Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and its characters.
Flashbacks of an Unforgotten Promise
Chapter 3: Their Secret Place
"Daijobu?"
Sakura just stared at the raven-haired boy for a second, clinging on his nape a bit.
"Hai... Arigato Sasuke-kun." Sakura said as she wondered to herself why the avenger was there, sliding her arm slowly from the back of his neck, gently hopping off from his arms.
Flashback
Tears flowed freely on the girl's cheeks as Sachi took her hand off the injury she was trying to hide.
"That's a big wound..." Sachi said as he watched the blood flow from the girl's right knee.
Sano continued to cry, her face already filthy because of the dirt she got from playing and the tears she had from crying.
Sano looked at her playmate as he wrapped a white cloth on her injured knee, careful not to sting the wound. "What are you doing Sachi?"
Sachi smiled. "Okaa-san said that you shouldn't keep a wound open to dirt, that's why I wrapped it." Sachi finished as he switched his position, his back now facing his playmate, now squatting, his arms making ready for a lift.
"Nani yo?" Sakura asked, stopping her tears for a moment.
"Hop in. You can't walk like that." Sachi said as he motioned her to ride on his back.
"Demo..."
"I'm sure Okaaa-san can clean your wound and it'll be better in no time."
Sano, then, crawled to Sachi's back.
"Sachi-chan... Am I too heavy?" Sano asked after a few minutes of walking.
"You are! I think you are heavier that I am!" the young boy retorted as he watched the girl's priceless expression, a mixture of irritation and confusion.
"Hmpf! I didn't ask you to carry me anyway!" the girl said as she leaned her head on the boy's shoulder. "I can walk if you want me too..."
"You don't have to...you may be heavier but I am still stronger!"
Sano smiled as she thought 'Sachi no baka'.
End of Flashback
Sakura snapped out of her reverie as she faced Sasuke's retreating back, leaving her alone once again.
"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura cried to him, her eyes weary because of the sudden flashbacks that were entering in her mind.
Sasuke looked back to acknowledge her call, avoiding her eyes.
"Arigato..." she said, smiling sweetly as ever.
Sasuke nodded then left, silently. Leaving the rustles of the wind, the only company for Sakura, which played with her flighty skirt.
Naruto looked for the fifth time on his watch in one minute as they waited impatiently for Sakura's arrival. Naruto shot a deadly look at Kakashi, blaming him somewhat for Sakura's late coming or worst absence. So not Sakura...
Kakashi just covered his face with the 86th volume of his favorite book, Icha Icha Paradise, of course, not wanting to take the blame on him though he didn't feel guilty at all.
"Ah!!! Sakura-chan has never been late before!" Naruto shrieked at his watch again.
"Maybe she's not coming." Sasuke suddenly said from behind Naruto's back.
Naruto nodded in response.
"We will continue training whether Sakura arrives or not." Kakashi butted in, standing up, throwing shuriken-s at his other two students. "Let the training begin." Kakashi said as his shuriken-s hit nothing but thin air.
Sakura walked slowly, enjoying the moments of silence that was feeding her inner soul. Sakura smiled graciously as she found the bird, that a week ago had fallen right into her hands, now flying gracefully in air.
"Hello, little Sparrow." She greeted humbly as the bird perched on her shoulder, burying itself in the pink shreds of her hair.
Sakura smiled. "That tickles."
The bird went closer to her neck, cowing her gently with its soft red feathers.
Sakura smiled as she watched the leaves fall off the trees, the wind tossing it slightly. "Sparrow..." she said to her new found friend, who was innocently looking back at her as if it understood her. "I am looking for something... somewhere..."
The sparrow looked at her, its little button-eyes blinking every now and then. Sakura graced a smiled before she continued. "I am looking for our Secret place... Sachi's and my place... Do you know where to find it?" Sakura asked the bird, finding herself a little silly. What's the use? Birds don't understand anyway.
The bird flew from her shoulder, lifting itself beautifully in air. It looked like it was beckoning her to follow him or her as it flew forward in low altitude, like it was waiting for Sakura to come.
Sakura laughed at herself. Should she follow? Of course, she would. She had all the time to get lost and who knows she might stumble into the place she had been looking for, for a week now.
Sakura marched to the bird's direction, her hair blown by the wind, causing her ponytail to fall to the ground, not that Sakura noticed. She was too engrossed with her craziness. And as the Sakura blossoms flew... so as the ribbon to an unfamiliar direction, making it look like a fairy dressed in lavender, dancing.
The bird chirped loudly as it perched on one of short shrubs just beside a wall opening, which was covered by willows.
Sakura panted heavily as she reached the destination, which she had been trekking for at least 30 minutes now. "Where are you taking me? Where is this place?" Sakura asked as she lifted her head, her eyes meeting the trees swaying. Sakura smiled. This place looks familiar.
The bird chirped louder than usual as if telling Sakura, enter.
Sakura scooped with her hands the willows that were covering the place's façade, nervous of what was inside.
The swallow entered first, perching on the lone swing, swinging it softly, while it hummed a tune.
Sakura, widened her eyes as she saw the site. This is it... Sachi... I found it... Our Secret Place... Sakura said, a little bit teary eyed. She finally found it after so many years.
Sakura entered, scanning the place for some changes. Everything looks the same.
[Autumn leaves fall... Moments of Silence]
Sasuke walked into the middle of the forest, circling his shoulders a bit. Training was hard today and he couldn't help but feel exhausted. Naruto was stronger than usual. Maybe because of Hinata... Sasuke thought as he half-smiled, not really envying the couple. He was much too busy to ever bother about LOVE.
Along his striding, he caught a lavender ribbon flying in mid-air, almost appearing like it was dancing.
Sachi played with Sano's hair continuously, irritating the girl in doing so. "Why do you need a ribbon anyway? That's only for girls!" Sachi said as he continued to tousle the girl's hair as if it were salad.
"Stop it Sachi-chan!" Sano said as she slapped Sachi's hand off her hair.
Sachi backed off then folded his arms across his torso, looking at the other direction. "I still don't like that ribbon!"
"There." Sano said as she finished tightening the ribbon she had placed on her head like a headband.
Sachi looked at his playmate, still disgusted by the ribbon.
"It looks better ne?" Sano asked as Sachi faced her.
Sachi smiled, a satisfied look on his face. It is...
End of Flashback
Sasuke looked at the ribbon and folded it neatly on his hands then placed it in his pocket. Whoever left it might be still around, he might come across her... maybe...
Sasuke continued striding to his favorite place, completely ignoring the autumn scents that had been lingering on his nose.
He was a few meters away from it now when he saw the willows, neatly divided as if someone had entered his lair.
Sasuke as if on instinct ran towards it, in full speed, opening the willow curtains with his muscular hands, revealing a blinding breed of light that affected his eyes... Who could be in there?
"A Promise reflects a desire, a desire of what you truly want..."
0.o to be continued o.0
A/n: Read and Review ne!!! -