Joal: Heheehehe... One reviewer says I'm so desperate for reviews... he's SO right. I'm desperate and I admit it! At least I'm honest! Well... here's the 9th chapter for you guys. And yeah, I almost forgot. Have you guys played 'Narultimate Hero' game on Ps2? It's so COOL! Heehehehe!!! I suggest that you should try it too! (Do I sound like a product endorser? Hehehe!) Anyway, just read this chap and don't forget to review!

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See You Again

Chapter 9: Gaara Finds Out

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#Room 207#

"Sakura? You awake!" Sasuke exclaimed as he saw Sakura's eyes to open up a bit. He rushed and held her hand, hope and happiness mirrored in his onyx eyes as he stared at Sakura.

Sakura just stared at him. She was still too weak to speak and this simple act of opening her eyes seemed to drain her of her strength. But nevertheless, it was worth it. Sakura wanted to keep her eyes open longer but her strength was failing her. She slowly let her eyelids drop. Maybe a nap would help her regain her strength.

Sasuke saw Sakura close her eyes. He smiled inwardly. He knew that Sakura still is weak from the fall she received. He gently let go of her hand and laid it on her side. He dare not disturb his beloved. He decided that her would just satisfy himself watching her sleep.

#hospital reception desk#

"HEY MISS! DO YOU KNOW WHERE UCHIHA SAKURA'S ROOM IS?!" Naruto hollered as he asked the nurse on the reception area accompanied by Ino, Hinata, Kakashi and Shikamaru.

The nurse covered her ears and yelled back. "I KNOW SO PLEASE STOP YELLING 'COZ THIS IS A HOSPITAL!!!"

"Okay." Naruto answered. "If you told me I shouldn't yell, then why are you yelling? That's so unfair!" he added.

The nurse sweatdropped. Instead of arguing back, she scanned the records looking for the name of Uchiha Sakura. There! She found it! "She's at room 207."

"Room 207? Got it." Naruto answered as he dragged Kakashi and the other with him.

"Naruto! There's no need for you to drag us there! We have our own feet for crying out loud!" Ino complained.

Shikamaru looked at her. "You're wrong Ino. This is much better than walking, besides, walking is too troublesome." Shikamaru explained.

Ino looked annoyed. "And since when did walking became troublesome?!"

Shikamaru shook his head. "Nah... Never mind. Explaining is just plain troublesome as well."

Ino fumed at Shikamaru who seemed to be enjoying the ride. She was about to hit Naruto on the head to let her go when Hinata interrupted.

"Umm... Naruto-kun? I think we already passed room 207. We're in front of room 226 now." Hinata timidly explained while pointing to the room number attached to the door beside them. Sure enough it was room 226.

"Hehe... I know that! I just thought of getting some exercise... you know!" Naruto said as he let go of them. He scratched his head and laughed idiotically.

"Stupid fool." Ino remarked as she rubbed her wrist where Naruto dragged her.

"Well? Shall we get going?" Kakashi asked while reading his favorite book: Icha Icha Paradise.

They nodded. They were about to leave when the room 226 opened. It revealed a certain red-haired lad, which is undoubtedly familiar. Gaara.

Gaara left the room to see what was the racket is about. There, he saw Sakura's friends. Again, he felt the emptiness and longing for the girl. He wanted to know how she is doing. He decided to ask her friends.

"Matte! Hey!" he called out to the retreating backs of Sakura's friends. Naruto and the others turned to look at the owner of the voice. They were surprised to see him.

"Gaara, what are you doing here?" Kakashi asked him.

"Hey! Aren't you the guy who found Sakura? What're you doing here?" Naruto seconded.

Gaara tilted his head slightly. "Yoko spilled boiling ramen on herself, that's why." He answered. "How's Sakura?" he asked.

"Aaah! Sakura's the reason why we're here! We're gonna visit Sakura- chan!" Naruto announced, receiving a smack on the head, courtesy of Ino.

"Sakura?! She's here? Wha-what happened?!" Gaara asked, extremely worried.

"We do not know yet. We just received the news that she's here." Kakashi explained while reading his book.

Gaara made up his mind. "I'm going with you." He announced. The others, seeing that they could not do anything to make the red-haired man changed his mind reluctantly agreed. They headed towards Sakura's room and once they have reached it, Kakashi began to knock.

"Sasuke? We're here."

From inside the room, Sasuke could hear Kakashi's call. Slowly, he got up from the chair he was sitting on and approached the door and began to turn the handle. He opened it, revealing the worried faces of Kakashi, Naruto, Shikamaru, Hinata, Ino and...... Gaara?!

"Wha-"Sasuke began but was eventually cut of by Naruto who quickly raced towards Sakura's bed followed by Ino and the others. Gaara however, stayed on the same spot.

"What are you doing here?" Sasuke asked Gaara icily.

Gaara glared at him. And instead of answering him, he shot up another question. "What did you do to her?"

Sasuke's anger was starting to boil. "Me? Nothing." He answered scornfully.

Gaara felt his anger rising as well. He tried to suppress it. "What happened?" he asked Sasuke in a serious tone.

Sasuke stared at him frigidly. "You need not to know. She's none of your business." He said finally and closed the door, but Gaara held it back. His eyes now are flaming in anger.

"What happened?! You- you bastard! I entrusted her to you! Even if it hurts I let her go. And this is what you do?! You can't even protect her. You don't deserve her!" Gaara hissed.

Sasuke had had it. quickly, he raised his fit and stretched it out to punch Gaara in the face, but out of thin air, Kakashi appeared between them, and stopped Sasuke.

"Sasuke, control yourself. This is a hospital. No fighting." He said.

Sasuke pulled back from Kakashi's grasp. Then he glared at Gaara.

That however did not affect Gaara. He simply crossed the room and stopped by Sakura's bed. He looked at her affectionately. Then after a few minutes he turned and left. But when he was by the door, he stopped.

"You don't deserve her." He whispered loud enough for Sasuke to hear. Then he opened the door and exited.

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Tsuzuku...

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Joal: Gomen for the short chapter! I'm really busy lately... you know, schoolwork, schoolwork, and schoolwork! ARGGH! And now I have a new problem, of course, regarding SCHOOLWORK! The school has chosen me a one of the three representatives to go to DOST to compete for the blah blah blah. Nooooo.... That means more schoolwork for me.... Darn it. I feel so pressured lately. Your reviews would make me happy. Okay, gotta go! Don't forget to review! And wish me luck for the event!!!

Ja ne!!!