Author's Note: All those reviews made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, thank you everyone! This chapter will be the last of 'Sakura's Amnesia', or I hope it is. I'm not particularly sure myself…and it seems like my hands don't feel like moving because of the cold weather in L.A. I know its cold here too…and you can't expect me to feel all warm, lol.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
The Story of Sasuke and Sakura
Episode Five: Recovering Lost Emotions
Naruto gloomed as his rival appeared. 'Why did that Sasuke-bastard have to come now? Sakura-chan and I had just a good time eating ramen too!' A groan was heard, but the rest of the gang ignored the rude blonde boy. "So what do you want Sasuke-bastard?" Naruto questioned, crossing his arm, chin up, eyes narrowed.
"Someone's sure tense…this is a must-see…" Shikamaru smirked and observed the scene before him.
It seemed like Naruto and Sasuke were doing some 'eye-to-eye' competition on who could glare the longest. Sakura just sat there, whirled into space by their motives. "Um…Naruto…Sasuke…" She mumbled, poking her ramen with the pair of chopsticks.
"What?" They asked in unison and that just made Sakura more nervous. "Um…better sit down before you two cause a mess?" Sasuke, not wanting his stupid 'fan girls' to know he was here sat down immediately…while Naruto took his time and didn't let his eyes off the devious rival.
"Are you hungry Sasuke?" She asked, and was received with a shake in the head. He rested his arm on the table with his head lowered down. "Something wrong Sasuke…?" Sakura asked again. 'Wow…I'm sure persistent about his moves…' She retorted to herself.
"Sasuke usually does that when he's in a crowded place." Shikamaru answered for the quiet shinobi.
"Ah…I see…" the jade-eyes possessor nodded understandingly. "So…now that we're done eating, should we continue with Ino-chan's plan…?"
'I just called her Ino-chan…maybe I am getting familiar with it now…'
The blonde nodded, "Yes! To the Hyuuga's…I'm sure Hinata will be happier seeing you better Sakura…and also seeing Naruto." She winked and guided everyone to where the two cousins usually trained. At first, Sasuke had no idea why he was following them. But seeing that Sakura was trying to gain back her memories…he might as well help out.
Naruto on the other hand though, seemed irritated that Sasuke was hanging out with them; and especially with the traitor walking beside Sakura too. Though, as usual…Sasuke didn't hold a conversation…it had seemed like they enjoyed each other's present.
"S-Sakura-chan…" Hinata waved timidly. "N-Naruto-kun…" A slight pinkness appeared before her cheeks, and the heir of the Hyuuga family looked down. "I'm glad…to…see you two well…and oh," Hinata eyed Sasuke instantly and she bowed, "It's good to see you well to…Sasuke-kun."
Uchiha Sasuke just nodded back and looked around. They were in a training area, though Neji was no where in sight.
"…hey, Hinata…chan," Sakura felt something was strange. "Where's Neji?"
"Oh…brother Neji went to pick up TenTen," the shy girl exclaimed. "I'm sure they'll be back soon…"
Ino had that 'romantic gaze' again. "Ooh…so is…TenTen and Neji…a couple?" She was trying to dig up as much facts and information as she could. It was a girl's job anyway to have people in this village know what was going on in Konoha. From missions to relationships, people had to be prepared after all.
'I don't know if I should really say…' Hinata shut her eyes closed as she thought. The violet-haired girl didn't want Neji to be mad at her…she knew TenTen wouldn't mind if everyone knew…but then again, back to Neji…he was different. Hinata just couldn't bring herself to gossip about someone's love affairs…but she knew Ino would find everyway to prowl into someone's life.
"You see…I'm not actually sure." The timid female recalled, saying half the truth.
"Aww poo…" Ino sighed and straightened up. "I'll have to see for sure though…maybe TenTen'll tell me…" Ino mumbled to herself. Hinata just signed in relief… 'Well…at least I didn't say anything wrong…'
"Pssft…I bet Neji and TenTen are going out," the voice in Sakura's head sneered with laughter.
"W-what…?" Who was talking to her…or was it her imagination?
Sasuke turned to look at the kunoichi with concern; "Something wrong?" He asked. The girl felt warmth bubble in her stomach as he asked her this. For some reason, she just seemed to react this way only towards him. Uchiha Sasuke. Did something happen between them before she had really lost of memories? All these questions made her more eager to have her past-life returned to her.
"I don't see why we have to be here…I think I'm going to go." Sasuke told her as he began to walk away again. Sakura didn't want him to leave this time without a good explanation so she followed him as well. "Sasuke…" Sakura called as she tried to catch up to him.
Though her calls were in vain as he continued to walk somewhere…she wasn't sure where though.
"Where are you going…?"
"…" Still no response from him, but she knew that of course he was listening to her.
Sakura heaved a sigh and gave up asking him. She stayed quiet and followed suit, waiting until he stopped. 'Is this what Ino meant when she said he was cold…? Sure…he's quiet…ignores me…won't even turn around and answer me…I guess he's something like that. But for some reason…'
Sakura had bumped into him as he suddenly halted. "Ack!" The girl apologized shortly; "Why did you stop…?" It was a worthless question as he didn't even answer her again. So Sakura tried to see for herself, looking over his shoulder. As she saw the scenery, she gasped. It was beautiful…cherry blossoms everywhere.
They were falling…spring was about to end as the petals danced in the sky. She found herself breathless, and sneaked a glance at Sasuke. 'He looks so gorgeous under a cherry blossom tree…' the thought had caressed her mind and Sakura found herself blushing.
Instead, the Haruno daughter tried and focused her eyes somewhere else…such as the pink fluttering petals.
It fell…softly…swirling…
…floating…
…rising…
…falling…
In a dazed trance, Sakura couldn't pull her eyes off the pieces of the flower. 'I'm feeling dizzy…' she thought, mumbling a few words and she collapsed unconscious. It seemed like an instant before Sasuke turned to look at the girl that was following him. She was then sprawled on the grass…strands of hair misplaced over her face as she was glazed against the cold sun.
"Shit…" Sasuke muttered.
---
Dark…that was the only thing she could see as she opened her eyes. "Where…am I?" was the question that spilled out of her. It was cold…and dark. Like the sun had shattered, and there was no feeling of light at all.
Sakura felt herself shiver, "Sasuke…? Naruto…?"
It felt like eternity 'til someone would answer her cries…her sudden loneliness. Why had she called their names…? Was it because they were the only her team mates? She wasn't even sure…her mind bared emptiness just like her surroundings. No memories…nothing in sight.
"Someone…anyone…?"
"Haruno Sakura…"
Finally, someone had spoke; and Sakura felt so relieved. There was someone…she wasn't alone here. "Please…help me…why am I here?" The girl had remembered that she was with Sasuke…staring at cherry blossoms. But why was she suddenly here…in this dark and cold place?
"You've been summoned by me…Haruno…because I want to know what you want."
That was a vague statement…right? What did she want? Searching her mind…Sakura realized there was nothing in her head to know what she wanted. It was like a vast gap, an empty shell. It felt…so lonely not knowing anything…anyone.
"I want my memories back…"
"And suffer through the pain…all over again?"
What did this voice mean…? "I don't…know."
"Have you ever…hesitated to remember those sad…painful memories you've held dear to you…? Have you lost the dreams you had…wishing with your heart that they might come true? Do you think your life would be better…your loneliness will become less if you had your memories again…?"
It was confusing to understand this…did her past life – before she had lost her memories…was it that painful? Was the empty feeling inside her stronger back then than now?
"You have a choice…to start a new life…or suffer the emotions that battle inside you everyday…from the moment you last lost yourself."
What the voice said was scary…shivering her spine. It made the fourteen-year old doubt about her self…about what she wanted. She didn't even know what had caused the pain she had had. Was it something horrible? Did she even want to know?
"Isn't there a way…to remember the rest except that certain part of the memory…?" Sakura asked quietly. It was the only way…yes, it was selfish on her behalf…but the kunoichi really wanted her memories back. It held dear to her…the only thing that was holding her back was the painful ones this one warned her about.
"There is…but will you regret it? Do you really want to really lose that memory while regaining the rest…?"
Splatter…
Sakura looked at the palm of her hands, she was crying. Tear drops had rolled off and poured on her delicate hands. 'Why…am I crying…?' The reason was unknown…it just felt sad thinking about it. Would she really regret losing those parts of the memories…? Of course not…who would want to remember painful memories…?
But the tears wouldn't stop falling. Like the memories were more then hurtful…it was something else.
"Just…go along with it. I want…my memories back…at any cost."
Sakura felt her heart pounding…like it was going to burst open. The pain was unbearable, but she continued to go with her choice. Her skin prickled, as if the temperature was getting colder. 'Why does it feel like…I made the wrong choice…?'
"As you wish…Haruno Sakura; the memories of that boy and your suffering emotions will disappear from your mind. The rest will return safely…" Finally…the conversation was ending. But where was she going to go now? Sakura wondered, would she finally return to reality…and have everything back to normal?
The voice had mentioned someone…a boy…had that boy caused her pain? It was hard to back-track, seeing she didn't have that memory anymore…or she didn't have it anyways…
"But I warn you…your first pain may not match the pain you will suffer in the future…"
What…?
---
Sakura opened her eyes slowly. As her vision cleared out…she could see someone sleep silently beside her bed. He looked so handsome…like a prince…? The peaceful expression he had stayed motionless in his sleeping form made her blush. His face didn't come familiar though…until Sakura began to blink a few times. "Sasuke…?" Ah…yes, she remembered. The girl had fainted when they were watching the cherry blossoms fall. But what had happened after that…?
The boy woke up, staring at her without even moving. "So…you're awake."
Sakura nodded, pushing back a strand of her pink hair behind her ear. "Where…am I?" The place looked like a hospital… "Konoha Hospital…?" She could tell the boy was surprised by her guess. "How did you know?"
"I remember…that I came here a few times…visiting…" Sasuke's ear perked up, 'Maybe her memories are back from that faint.' "…Lee-san." She answered with a delight tone, "Yeah!"
For some reason she didn't say she had visited him too. The Uchiha boy seemed disappointed, but he thought probably she didn't get her memories back 100 yet. It might take some time…and the way she responded to him at first with 'Sasuke' still meant she didn't remember him either.
Sasuke had to agree that it was strange hearing her say 'Sasuke' instead of 'Sasuke-kun' anymore.
"Where's…Kakashi-sensei?"
'…and she remembers Kakashi-sensei…huh.'
"He's…talking to Hokage-sama."
"Tsunade-sama…? She was here as well…?"
'And she remembers that old woman…'
"Yeah…a lot of them were here. You were unconscious for awhile though…" Sasuke explained, "You've been out for nearly two days."
"Oh!" The pink-haired feminine seemed surprise. "I didn't know I was unconscious that long. I guess I got a lot of people worried." She looked at the flowers that were on the table. "That Ino-chan…" Sakura made a face, reading the card that was connected to the rose. "Get well soon, I bet you fainted because of Shikamaru's continuous rant!" She laughed, "That's so Ino and Shikamaru."
'That's weird…she seems back to normal…' Sasuke wondered why she couldn't remember him than?
"Sakura…" Sasuke slowly stood up from his chair and sat on her bed. "Do you know who I am…?"
"Of course! Even though we meant a few days ago, Ino-chan introduced me to you! You're…Uchiha Sasuke!" 'Plus how can I forget? You're so handsome…!'
Though his face changed, and Sakura felt bad. "Did…I say something wrong?"
'So she doesn't remember me…that isn't right…'
"Sakura…do you think you've recovered your memory?"
"Um…I guess so…"
"What do you remember after someone had dropped you? Do you remember anything before that?"
"I…I remember I was with Lee…" She slowly replied. The image flashbacked to her, she was with Gai's student and…there was someone else… 'I think…' but the rest was left a mystery. They were in a classroom, something happened and she got hurt. After that, words…what words? Sakura swore someone had said something to her. Was it Lee?
"Anything else…?" The boy asked anxiously.
"Well…I remember talking to Kakashi-sensei…though I don't remember what we were talking about. And then I went to look for Lee…and then something happened…we got hurt…and after that, I don't really recall…"
'Bullshit.'
It wasn't possible that she remembered everything else but him. What was going on?
"Sakura…as a Genin, what team were you on and who was on your team…?"
"Team…7," It easily was brought up; "with…Kakashi-sensei…and Naruto."
"There was s'pose to be three Genins per team, you…Naruto…and who else?" His face inched towards her, his eyes flashing dangerously. Something wasn't right…what did he want her to remember? Sakura frowned and bit her lip…three per team…? But all she could remember was Kakashi and Naruto. Was there someone else?
"I…how is it possible to be three people when I only remember Naruto in my team?"
"Fuck…Sakura," Sasuke placed his hands on both sides of her shoulder. "Do you remember me? Do you remember how many times you've saved me…do you remember Orochimaru's curse?! Do you remember anything about me?!" He was shaking her practically.
"S-stop…Sasuke!" It took a moment for him to stop and she looked him in the eyes. Those cold…onyx eyes…though she could hint that beyond those pupils were warmth. "I…don't remember you. We've just met a few days ago…and I've remembered people talking about someone having the Orochimaru curse…but other then that…my head is empty about you or the things you've asked."
"It…can't be possible…" Sasuke whispered, his eyes slowly looking down at the blanket. "How…could you forget…? It's just not possible…something must've happened! I'm Sasuke, Sakura! We've known each other since we became Genins! Probably longer! You tried to help me kill my brother, remember? There had to be a chance that you remember!"
"…" She was caught off-guard as he began to shoot out questions. Why couldn't she remember…? If what he was saying was true, then what was going on? Did some part of her memories not come back to her? Sakura didn't know… "I'm sorry…Sasuke."
"It's all lost…"
"No…"
"W-what…?" Sakura eyed him as he began to stand up. "Sasuke…?"
"She doesn't remember you. It's over…can you feel it, Uchiha Sasuke? The light in you is slowly fading…you're alone, aren't you?"
"Shut up…"
Sakura was taken-back with what he just said. 'Shut up? But you were the one who was acting crazy!'
"What are you going to do now…? It may be a slim chance that she will remember you now…seeing that her memories have returned her to…except those bearing your present or name…"
"How could you Sakura…" Sasuke had his back on her; part of his bangs covered his eyes as he had his hand on the door. "The love…" He didn't finish his sentence as he walked off, out of the room and slamming the door behind him.
Sakura stared at the closed door startled… "What…?"
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: I found this chapter really sad…hard to explain but sad. While I was writing this, I was listening to different romance music…especially 'Evolution' from Ayumi Hamasaki…which I should tell you readers to listen while reading this story. Or…any song from her would do…they are the same theme anyways. Poor Sasuke…who feels the pain now? Oh, and Sakura doesn't remember her dream, let me remind you that.
Stay in tune to Episode Six. I wonder what'll happen…this chapter contained a bit of NejiTen, not actual but yeah…but a few hints. Also, I'm not really sure if I'm going to make this story a NaruHina. I'm not really fond of that couple, so I'll think about it. Please review!
The Story of Sasuke and Sakura copyright © 2004 by taiki-kun