****N/A: 05/14/03: Suman minna, I decided to revise this chapter. I just
wasn't pleased with it at all. Something just didn't seem right about it
because it just seemed to short and sloppy to me so I changed it. It's a
whole lot better in my opinion. I'd describe it as a more in-depth look
into Sakura and Hinata's friendship I changed the ending of this chapter as
well so that the story seems more lively. I might want to revise chapter 2
as well. I'll see, well hope you find this better. Thx. Laruku-chan.
Laruku-chan: *shifts nervously* Ano, Sasuke-kun?
Sasuke-kun: *glares at her for a moment then returns to sulking*
Laruku-kun: Ne Sasuke-kun, gomen, I didn't mean to make fun of you last time bout Sakura-chan.
Sasuke-kun: *scowls*
Laruku-chan: I only did that cause I thought that was really cute. I know you like her. . . *grins*
Sasuke-kun: URUSAI you overcrazed Sasusaku fan!
Laruku-chan: Mou! Someone's got problems. . .
Sasuke-kun: . . . .
Laruku-chan: fine! Then don't talk to me! *scowls* let's ignore him shall we? Mou! Neways thanks again minna for the reviews especially Kenhime, I liked her reviews the best (yea im a moron, favoring reviews, can you blame me?). I'm glad you don't mind most couples cause I will be using a lot of different couplings but yes whatever couple I use SASUSAKU is still here all the way! *cackles* coughs, unfortunately not until a couple of chapters. :P
So anyways here's the newest chapter pretty much centered on Sakura and Hyuuga Hinata. Most of this chapter will be in Hinata-chan's POV. Alright peeps R&R and enjoy! Naruto belongs to Kishimoto-sama not me.
------------
A LARUKU FANFICTION
SCROLL SEALER SAKURA
CHAPTER THREE: Taisetsu no Kimochi. Friends of the Heart: HYUUGA HINATA
~*~*~*~
"Haruno Sakura!" yelled out Iruka-sensei as he called out the next name on the attendance list yet there was no reply,
"HARUNO SAKURA?" he called out once more. He glanced up and down each of the rows searching for any hint of noticeable pink hair. The whole class shrugged showing that they did not know of where she could be. Iruka sighed not needed any sign as to what happened, he was aggravated at the result of yet another absence.
"Kuso!" he muttered to himself, "Sakura-chan is late again! Especially on today's jutsu test."
Suddenly the class door slid open catching the attention of everyone in the classroom. There stood to no one's surprise a panting Haruno Sakura again late for about the fouth time this week. She stood there for awhile trying to catch her breath, her breathing came in short gasps of air, "Gomen. . . ne Iruka-sensei!" she panted, "I-I took a wrong turn somewhere and then. . ."
"Save your breath I don't want to hear it," said Iruka firmly, "You were late again Haruno, and I don't want anymore of this. Eiga?"
Sakura hung her head in shame and replied in the same toneless voice like the one's as yesterday's when she heard those words, "Hai."
Iruka glared at her as she dragged herself to her usual seat at the back of the classroom. She slumped down in her seat still exhausted from her run. Frustrated she slammed her bag onto the floor where it's noise rattled within the classroom. She sighed not caring anymore. It was just too damn annoying now, even though this morning had been slightly more pleasant than the rest she doubted she take any more of this mayhem in her life. Especially right now. Sakura hoped dearly that this phase would end soon. All these thoughts in her head, she just couldn't bear it at all. Life was a constant headache from the way she was seeing things.
"Shyaanarou," Sakura muttered underneath her breath, "It isn't my fault. Stupid dreams."
"What stupid dreams Sakura-chan?" asked a soft voice beside her.
"HINATA!" she gasped sitting up abruptly in her seat. Over to her side sat her otomodachi, Hyuuga Hinata. With short dark violet bangs framing her small face Hinata was a kind caring and compassionate person. Possibly Sakura's best friend in the world, the two of them had been dear friends ever since they had both started their ninja training at the academy together though they were almost complete opposites. Sakura, an outgoing and energetic young teen full of self-esteem, while Hinata was shy and quiet and often lacked confidence in whatever she did. Yet despite that fact, Sakura and Hinata held a wonderful friendship holding onto each other's support through many difficult obstacles in their daily lives. Sakura felt as though she could tell Hinata almost anything because she was a great listener and held great compassion inside her small and weak heart. Hinata often cried easily and was often quite troubled but despite whatever problem it was Sakura was always there to help wipe away her tears.
Sakura relaxed and calmed down as Hinata's milky white eyes looked at her slightly confused at her friend's sudden outburst but smiled. Sakura was just so weird sometimes, but that was what made her special.
"Mattaku! You scared me Hinata!" said Sakura, "I didn't notice that you were there! Gomen."
"Iie, it's alright. You're really jumpy today Sakura-chan," laughed Hinata, "So, what "stupid dreams"? They weren't about Kakashi-sensei were they?"
Sakura blushed immediately, "C-CHIGAI HINATA-CHAN!"
Hinata giggled at her blushing friend, "Hai, hai."
Sakura glared at her friend once more but then failed as she sighed at slumped back down and rested her head upon her desk. She moaned as she buried her head into her arms still apparently tired and a bit frustrated. Hinata stopped giggling at once and glanced at her with concern in her white eyes. She patted her friend comfortingly on her shoulder.
"Daijoubu Sakura-chan? You look really exhausted," Hinata asked gently in her soft voice. Sakura glanced up at her and smiled glad at the thought that at least someone cared (other than her dear Kakashi-san).
"Aaa Hinata-chan, daijoubu. I'll live," she replied in a quiet raspy voice," that is if I manage to pass this damned test," she added ruefully, "I didn't practice because I forgot about it again. Okaa-chan will kill me for sure. Onegai Hinata-chan, tasukete!"
Hinata frowned. Forget about such an important test? This wasn't like Sakura at all. Normally she'd be one of the first in the class to prepare for tests. Sakura excelled at school, so it just wasn't possible for someone like her to just simply forget which most likely meant something was indeed troubling her lately. Hinata knew her too well to understand whatever she was feeling.
"Sakura-chan," Hinata said with a tone of warning in her soft voice, "If you keep doing this you'll never be ready for the graduation exam. It's not like you to be like this. You can't possibly expect to become a ninja they way things are going now."
"WAKATERU!" groaned Sakura as she buried her tired face into her hands, "I'm trying Hinata! But it's just that. . ." her words trailed away not wanting to continue.
"Nani? Doushta no?" asked Hinata gently but Sakura still remained silent as she turned away from her gaze.
Hinata looked at her with pity in her milky white eyes. Why wouldn't she tell her? She frowned worried now to see that her dear friend was truly in stress. Hinata guiltily hung her gaze down ashamed at making her friend feel bad. Demo, Sakura-chan really had to work harder or else Hinata would be separated from her. And that was a very disturbing thought for Hinata.
Sakura turned back and faced Hinata with not a frown but a warm smile, "Daijoubu Hinata-chan, I know you're worried, demo it's really nothing at all. I don't know why I'm acting like this anyway; I'm just being an idiot. Gomen, I shouldn't worry you about little things that are bothering me."
Sakura grinned while Hinata still remained nonplussed by her actions. Whatever was going on, Sakura was clearly trying to gloss the whole thing over. But still Hinata didn't want to force the truth out her, Hinata was sure Sakura would tell her in time when she felt that she actually needed to. They were best friends after all.
"Stop worrying Hinata-chan! I promise I'll try harder Hinata! I'll do it just for you!" Sakura said cheerfully after still seeing the frown on her face.
Hinata stared at her a little taken aback by her words, but then smiled back so she would be pleased. Sakura-chan's grin was so happy although Hinata knew that half the times she'd seen her grin lately, were when she just did them to cover up for what she truly felt. However despite that it always surprised Hinata about how she could never stay sad for long and just went on with her life. It was her smile, which gave her the very happiness of just being by her side everyday. Her warmth was so welcoming, Hinata was glad to be her friend. Hinata smiled pleased at her friend's enthusiasm, which was one of the reasons why she admired her so much. She wished sometimes that she could hold her same kind of strength inside her and be just like Sakura.
"Ne Hinata-chan, you won't believe what just happened to me when I was on my way to school," Sakura changing the subject. She whispered so excitedly that it caused Iruka to stop when he was saying and glare in their direction.
Hinata blushed as he stared with utmost annoyance at them, "Not now Sakura- chan, Iruka-sensei will get mad at us. You can tell me later," Hinata whispered back hastily. Sakura nodded back while putting on an innocent face against Iruka's angered one.
~*~*~*~
"HENGE!"
In a flash of smoke Sakura transformed into an almost exact copy of Iruka- sensei only missing the leaf forehead protector. Before she kept misplacing Iruka's scar but now it remained right over his nose. But it was her greatest accomplishment yet. Hinata applauded pleased at her success.
"You were so close this time Sakura-chan!" said Hinata with an encouraging smile, "I'm sure you'll be able to pass the Henge no Jutsu Test now!"
"Arigatou Hinata-chan!" Sakura replied while catching her breath for a while inwardly cursing herself for not practicing before, "Demo, I'm still not sure if I'll be ready by the end of the lunch break."
Hinata-chan had agreed to help Sakura train and prepare for the test with a crash course on Henge no Jutsu. It really wasn't that complicated of a jutsu but then again Sakura hadn't practiced it fully enough to handle it properly and obviously wasn't quite ready yet. It was also one of the basic jutus in which they had to learn in order to pass and become genin. However, at first Sakura refused to transform into a proper Iruka because she was still mad at him for scolding her. So Sakura spent the first fifteen minutes transforming into insulting forms of Iruka attracting a crowd of laughing students howling hysterically until Hinata got tired of Sakura fooling around:
["And here's an impression of an obese version of our dear sensei," Sakura yelled out to the crowd, "HENGE!"
And as the smoke cleared it left an extremely fat Iruka with a fat bulging stomach. His fat cheeks formed into a similar scowl in which her had given Sakura earlier as she imitated him doing stupid looking taijutsu moves in front of the students.
"Now watch class," she said in a booming voice, "observe as I perform a high kick up my arse!" as she swung Iruka's fat legs tripping over himself. "WHOOPS I FELL, ITAI! OKAY WHICH ONE OF YOU CAUSED ME TO LAND ON MY FAT ARSE?! WHERE'S THE TRAP, I KNOW THERE'S ONE SET UP HERE SOMEWHERE!"
"Yamerou Sakura-chan!" pleaded Hinata-chan as everyone else laughed hard.
"THAT'S IT MISSY YOU'VE GOT DETENTION! EXTRA TRAINING FOR EVERYONE!" yelled Sakura at Hinata still enjoying her fun. The air was filled with fake boos and hisses while they kept laughing at her hilarious imitation.
Hinata scowled now growing very impatient with Sakura. Her vein was popping with aggravation when suddenly it came to her, how to stop her.
"Sakura-chan! Look Kakashi-sensei is coming!" yelled Hinata-chan.]
And so Sakura stopped immediately blushing when Kakashi-sensei actually did come afterwards scaring away the crowd not wanting to get in trouble. Luckily he hadn't seen Sakura's Iruka imitations and she flushed when he gave her friendly wave as he walked on. Sakura sighed with a dreamy look on her face as he left. Hinata gave her a confused look then sweatdropped. Well at least her plan worked. She knew about Sakura's immense crush on the handsome silver haired jounin.
"Well Sakura-chan, I think that's enough training for now. I think it'll be easier if when you do the test in front of Iruka-sensei. That way you don't have to focus on a image in your head because you'll have the real thing in front of you."
Sakura scowled while she pretended to choke with disgust, "Ch', not if I barf first from his ugly scar face."
Hinata laughed but she knew Sakura didn't mean it. She usually took her studies very seriously and was one of Iruka's best students in the academy. It was just the fact that she was very troubled right now, which gave a very sour attitude towards Iruka-sensei. But Hinata was sure she'd get over it and things would go back to normal.
"Ne, Hinata-chan," said Sakura after she had stopped laughing.
"What is it Sakura-chan?"
Sakura sighed as she glanced up towards the sky with a faraway look, but then continued, "Something has been bothering me lately, but I'm just not sure exactly what it is."
"Hmm? Nani?" asked Hinata gently, aware that she was trying to tell her something.
"Watashi. . .watashi. . ."
"Nani? What are you trying to say Sakura-chan?"
Sakura paused now gazing downwards speaking to her toes instead of Hinata,"I-I, well let's say that some strange things are happening right now and that you don't quite understand why and you feel really confused because you're not used to those things happening and that. . .maybe you felt a little lost and it's just too weird but you know something might happen soon that you won't expect which is why you're a bit worried. . ."
Hinata blinked in confusion. Is this what was troubling Sakura-chan?
"Gomen ne, Sakura-chan. I'll still don't understand what you're saying."
Sakura sighed looking slightly disappointed for not being able to say what she meant. Hinata probably wouldn't understand anyway even if she tried to.
"Nothing Hinata-chan, it's nothing. Forget what I said," she replied in the same tired voice as this morning's.
Nothing huh? She said it again, Hinata frowned now becoming even more anxious. She wasn't pleased that Sakura still wouldn't tell her. Even though she had just tried to, Hinata still had no new clues in solving her case. It didn't make a difference from what she said. Mou yii, now even Hinata was becoming frustrated. She sighed and silently went back to the delicious lunch she had prepared for herself. It was still left untouched because the two girls had been busy with their training. Sakura then turned towards Hinata's lunch and grinned as she admired the tasty looking contents of her friend's bento box.
"Hinata-chan you're so sugoi," she said admirably, "I wish I could cook as well as you do. You're so talented, ne."
Hinata blushed as Sakura began drooling at her lunch, "You can have some if you want Sakura-chan. I don't mind, you need energy for the test."
"Ehh?! HONTO?!" squealed Sakura, "Heheheh Sumimasen!" she giggled as she already began to help herself to the sashimi rolls (N/A: so I don't I know EXACTLY what you can put in a bento, lol bear with my idiotic knowledge of Japanese foods).
Hinata sweatdropped as she watched Sakura start munching delightfully. Hinata smiled, she was happy again but how often would it soon be that Sakura had another one of these mood swings? Every time she smiled one of those fake smiles, Hinata felt as though Sakura was only bottling up even more of her feelings. Sakura never let anything out, not even any tears. She didn't know it that meant she was either a strong person or scared and afraid one.
Demo, Sakura looked very cute when she ate. Her round cheeks were now stuffed full of rice with a couple of small sesame seeds dotting her chin.
"Kawaii. . ." Hinata said absent mindedly as she gazed at Sakura. The word slipped out of her mouth so softely that Sakura didn't notice but she looked up suddenly and gave Hinata a strange look.
"Hinata-chan? Doushta no? What are you looking at?" asked Sakura while Hinata blushed, "Oh, sumimasen, am I eating too much of your lunch? Gomen ne, I'm such a pig," she grinned sheepishly.
"Iie Sakura-chan!" Hinata blushed, "It's nothing it's just that. . ."
"No it's alright. Hora!" Sakura said cheerfully as she handed back her bento box, "Here you've got it eat too. I'm such a lousy friend sometimes aren't I? Demo you're always so nice to me. Thanks for helping me train Hinata. Okini!"
"A-Arigatou Sakura-chan," Hinata said shyly as she took back her lunch, "Demo you know me, I would have helped you anyway."
Sakura turned to her with as Hinata blushed as Sakura's emerald green eyes twinkled at her. She took her hands into hers and smiled, "That's why you're such a wonderful friend Hinata-chan."
Hinata grinned happily at her friend's words, the same warmth from her aura filled her with joy. She knew that Sakura cared about her and she knew she could always count on her. They were friends to the end, and Hinata knew even though she sometimes had doubts about how long their friendship would last but she new she didn't have to worry as long she was there for her, just as she was for her.
["Stop worrying Hinata-chan! I promise I'll try harder Hinata! I'll do it just for you!" Sakura said cheerfully after still seeing the frown on her face.]
But why was it that she still kept worrying? Did she give back the equally fake smiles Sakura gave her just to cover up her concern? But why. . .
Why wouldn't she just tell her?
No, she was her friend and this was the way she felt about Sakura because she cared. These precious feelings were the reason they were friends at heart. And so Hinata would continue to show that she cared.
"Gambatte ne Sakura-chan!" Hinata said encouragingly.
"I will Hinata," Sakura replied reassuringly.
The two remained silent for a while when suddenly Sakura jerked her head sharply whirling around as if she had sensed someone's presence. Her eyebrows furrowed into her forehead frowning as if something weren't right.
"Sakura? Doushta no?" asked Hinata curiously.
Sakura turned back she and immediately changed her frown to a smile, "Iie, it's nothing."
Hinata winced when she heard those words once more.
~*~*~*~
"Sakura-chan! We've got to get back soon, lunch's almost over!" called Hinata over her shoulder. She was already heading back to the academy from her walk with Sakura, yet somehow Sakura was now lingering behind as if something was bothering her. She was acting quite strangely throughout the entire lunch break and Hinata definitely noticed it.
"It's alright Hinata-chan, you go on without me, I'll catch up," Sakura replied back, "There's just something I wanna see first."
"Alright Sakura-chan, hurry though," Hinata shouted back, "You don't want to late for the test."
But there was no reply.
"Sakura-chan?"
But Sakura wasn't listening; somehow her face was in some sort of trance. Hinata looked back and gasped at her dilated eyes glancing from side to side as if she were searching for something. A strong breeze began to blow knocking down loose leaves to the ground. Sakura stood there still and silent strangely dazed when suddenly she collapsed onto her knees towards the ground.
"SAKURA-CHAN!!"
Hinata immediately rushed back towards her side and began shaking her shoulders vigorously, "SAKURA-CHAN!! DAIJOUBU DESU KA? SPEAK TO ME!! SAKURA!!!"
"Eh? Nani? What happened to her Hinata?"
Hinata whirled around startled by the voice. She turned around to see that it was Kakashi-sensei standing behind her. Strange, she hadn't sensed him coming at all.
~*~*~*~*~
Where was she?
She opened her eyes wide and glanced all around her. A solitary pink petal fluttered before her.
Masaka! The Sakura blossoms, uso she was back at the patch of cherry trees.
"Sakura, won't you come see us?"
What was that? Sakura whirled around, she glanced all about her but she couldn't sense a single presence nearby.
"Sakura, you left us. Why won't you come see us?"
Masaka! It was them again! The spirits were calling once more.
"Sakura-chan, we miss you. Why did you leave? Don't you miss us?"
"Sakura-chan!"
The gale appeared once more. Sakura suddenly felt so afraid and alone.
"I-I never wanted to leave you, but you left me. I tried to save you all before in my dream but then you all left me remember?" she cried nervously into the wind.
The gust grew stronger, and somehow Sakura had the slightest feeling that they were all still watching. She could feel the air thicken and somehow she could see shadows of their presence.
"Gomen," she faltered, "I never meant to leave."
"Sakura, come see us soon. We're waiting for you."
"Nanda? Doushite?" she whimpered nervously.
"It's alright, you can come see us later. We're waiting. All of us."
And then they abruptly stopped speaking. Sakura looked up and she knew for sure that they were gone. Standing still she gasped for a while still scared by the sudden voices now haunting her.
"Come back Sakura."
~*~*~*~
"Kakashi-sensei!" Hinata sputtered, " I was just calling to Sakura but then she just went into this trance and then. . ."
He frowned at Sakura's state and bent down beginning to shake her shoulder gently as well. He examined her furrowing his brows as if her were trying to sense what was wrong with her.
"D-did someone put a jutsu on her sensei?" asked Hinata nervously.
He did not reply and Hinata sat quietly and she watched him speak to her unconscious self.
"Wake up, Sakura-chan." He whispered into her ear.
And at the moment suddenly Sakura sprung back to life and popped back up. She gasped and panted as she had just awoken from a nightmare. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead. Panting she looked all around at her surroundings. Hinata sat there shocked with surprise but suddenly began to hug her tightly in relief. Sakura blushed as she tried to shrug her off.
"Sakura-chan you're alright!!" cried Hinata, "YOKATTA!! I was so afraid. I didn't know what to do until Kakashi-sensei came!"
"Kakashi-sensei?" said Sakura puzzled but then turned to her side and realized that he was there.
"Sakura-chan. Daijoubu ka?" he asked with concerned look.
"H-Hai!" Sakura exclaimed as she started to blush again, "I'm fine! A- Arigatou Kakashi-sensei!"
He stared at her as if he was still not entirely convinced. She could feel his dark eyes look straight into her green ones. His piercing gaze made Sakura feel uneasy and she blushed under his gaze. It felt as though he could see right through her, reading her mind and analyzing it. Somehow instead of their usual warmth Kakashi's eyes seemed so cold and dark, giving her a chill down her spine.
"Sakura. Be careful," he said sternly as he stood up from his spot and began to silently walk away.
Sakura watched him as he left somehow hurt by his words. It hurt her to see him leave.
But what did he mean? Be careful of what?
"Sakura-chan," Hinata slowly began to ask, "I think you should tell me what's going on with you right now."
Sakura said nothing as she didn't dare look at her. She didn't want to worry her even more. What she didn't want Hinata to know was that she kept hearing the voices same ones from the Sakura trees. Despite how much she trusted Hinata, she didn't feel much like telling her about the strange dreams she had been having. Even though Hinata was very understanding, Sakura knew she'd find her crazy if she told her. The spirits, they were now calling for her to go back, but she couldn't right now. Not when she had the test to attend to. But the urge was so strong that Sakura just couldn't seem to fight it. It was like an ache in her chest holding her back. Shyaanarou! What was going on with her?
She glanced back at the pathway that lead away from the school and to the nearby Sakura trees on a secret fork which she had discovered this morning. And that was then when she decided that,
She would indeed go back and see them again.
TBC?
Footnote on Japanese terms (no repeats):
Kuso- dammit, Eiga- You hear me?, otomodachi- best friend, chigai- you're wrong!, Doushta no- What's wrong?, tasukete- help me, wakateru- I know, Henge- transform, mou yii- oh well, sugoi-amazing, honto-really, kawaii- cute, doushta no?- what's wrong?, hora- here, okini- much obliged, Gambatte ne- try your best!, urusai- shut up!, nanda- what?, doushite- why?, yokatta- thank goodness!
Laruku-chan: Gomen ne minna! I revised it again because the last time I just seriously wasn't pleased with it. I changed it a lot though I hope I still enchanced the idea of this chapter. Somehow the Sakuhina factor didn't stand out as much as last time, err think. Maybe the other way around, *sweatdrop* I'm kinda confused.
Sasuke-kun: Ch' well someone's slow.
Laruku-chan: Well at least you're talking to me again. *sighs* It seems like there's a new couple in each chappie. *grins* the first chapter sort of had a NaruSaku (not really but the idea anyway), the last one had a KakaSaku feel to it (Sasuke scowls), now this one had a yuri-like one. SakuHina!
Sasuke-kun: *growls* Notice how they gradually become even worse and worse?!! I'm telling you this girl has an extremely twisted mind. Kowaii.
Laruku-chan: Mou! Well I wonder what you'll say when sasusaku appears in the fic!
Sasuke-kun: . . .
Laruku-chan: ha, can't say anything now can you. *sticks out her tongue* neways, I'm pretty much okay with any couple as long it involves Sakura- chan! *squeals* j/k, I like a lot of couples. Sakuhina is a strange couple to me but I'm pretty pleased with this chappie, because I think hasn't been quite expressed in most other Naruto fics, (well none in ones I've read, :P). But I thought Hinata would play a great role as Sakura's best friend like in CCS where Tomoyo is very loyal to Sakura. A sort of friendship role but if you've a twisted mind *like mine ^^* you think it's really kawaii to be something else.
Sasuke-kun:???
Laruku-chan: which proves that there are going to a lot of couples! Tee hee, so don't get too attached to a couple and start flaming me because it doesn't have the one you want. I'm sick of discussing couples, I just go with it even if there isn't much proof to support it. To hell with it, it's a fanfiction for god's sake! It's where anything can happen.
Sasuke-kun: which is a really scary thought when you think about it.
Laruku-chan: True! But fans always want it their way, ne Sasuke?
Sasuke-kun: *glares* yea, like a certain obsessed sasusaku fan I know. . .
Laruku-chan: *blushes* you can't say anything about it in your situation!
Sasuke-kun: *blushes* Urusai baka. . .
Laruku-chan: *shifts nervously* Ano, Sasuke-kun?
Sasuke-kun: *glares at her for a moment then returns to sulking*
Laruku-kun: Ne Sasuke-kun, gomen, I didn't mean to make fun of you last time bout Sakura-chan.
Sasuke-kun: *scowls*
Laruku-chan: I only did that cause I thought that was really cute. I know you like her. . . *grins*
Sasuke-kun: URUSAI you overcrazed Sasusaku fan!
Laruku-chan: Mou! Someone's got problems. . .
Sasuke-kun: . . . .
Laruku-chan: fine! Then don't talk to me! *scowls* let's ignore him shall we? Mou! Neways thanks again minna for the reviews especially Kenhime, I liked her reviews the best (yea im a moron, favoring reviews, can you blame me?). I'm glad you don't mind most couples cause I will be using a lot of different couplings but yes whatever couple I use SASUSAKU is still here all the way! *cackles* coughs, unfortunately not until a couple of chapters. :P
So anyways here's the newest chapter pretty much centered on Sakura and Hyuuga Hinata. Most of this chapter will be in Hinata-chan's POV. Alright peeps R&R and enjoy! Naruto belongs to Kishimoto-sama not me.
------------
A LARUKU FANFICTION
SCROLL SEALER SAKURA
CHAPTER THREE: Taisetsu no Kimochi. Friends of the Heart: HYUUGA HINATA
~*~*~*~
"Haruno Sakura!" yelled out Iruka-sensei as he called out the next name on the attendance list yet there was no reply,
"HARUNO SAKURA?" he called out once more. He glanced up and down each of the rows searching for any hint of noticeable pink hair. The whole class shrugged showing that they did not know of where she could be. Iruka sighed not needed any sign as to what happened, he was aggravated at the result of yet another absence.
"Kuso!" he muttered to himself, "Sakura-chan is late again! Especially on today's jutsu test."
Suddenly the class door slid open catching the attention of everyone in the classroom. There stood to no one's surprise a panting Haruno Sakura again late for about the fouth time this week. She stood there for awhile trying to catch her breath, her breathing came in short gasps of air, "Gomen. . . ne Iruka-sensei!" she panted, "I-I took a wrong turn somewhere and then. . ."
"Save your breath I don't want to hear it," said Iruka firmly, "You were late again Haruno, and I don't want anymore of this. Eiga?"
Sakura hung her head in shame and replied in the same toneless voice like the one's as yesterday's when she heard those words, "Hai."
Iruka glared at her as she dragged herself to her usual seat at the back of the classroom. She slumped down in her seat still exhausted from her run. Frustrated she slammed her bag onto the floor where it's noise rattled within the classroom. She sighed not caring anymore. It was just too damn annoying now, even though this morning had been slightly more pleasant than the rest she doubted she take any more of this mayhem in her life. Especially right now. Sakura hoped dearly that this phase would end soon. All these thoughts in her head, she just couldn't bear it at all. Life was a constant headache from the way she was seeing things.
"Shyaanarou," Sakura muttered underneath her breath, "It isn't my fault. Stupid dreams."
"What stupid dreams Sakura-chan?" asked a soft voice beside her.
"HINATA!" she gasped sitting up abruptly in her seat. Over to her side sat her otomodachi, Hyuuga Hinata. With short dark violet bangs framing her small face Hinata was a kind caring and compassionate person. Possibly Sakura's best friend in the world, the two of them had been dear friends ever since they had both started their ninja training at the academy together though they were almost complete opposites. Sakura, an outgoing and energetic young teen full of self-esteem, while Hinata was shy and quiet and often lacked confidence in whatever she did. Yet despite that fact, Sakura and Hinata held a wonderful friendship holding onto each other's support through many difficult obstacles in their daily lives. Sakura felt as though she could tell Hinata almost anything because she was a great listener and held great compassion inside her small and weak heart. Hinata often cried easily and was often quite troubled but despite whatever problem it was Sakura was always there to help wipe away her tears.
Sakura relaxed and calmed down as Hinata's milky white eyes looked at her slightly confused at her friend's sudden outburst but smiled. Sakura was just so weird sometimes, but that was what made her special.
"Mattaku! You scared me Hinata!" said Sakura, "I didn't notice that you were there! Gomen."
"Iie, it's alright. You're really jumpy today Sakura-chan," laughed Hinata, "So, what "stupid dreams"? They weren't about Kakashi-sensei were they?"
Sakura blushed immediately, "C-CHIGAI HINATA-CHAN!"
Hinata giggled at her blushing friend, "Hai, hai."
Sakura glared at her friend once more but then failed as she sighed at slumped back down and rested her head upon her desk. She moaned as she buried her head into her arms still apparently tired and a bit frustrated. Hinata stopped giggling at once and glanced at her with concern in her white eyes. She patted her friend comfortingly on her shoulder.
"Daijoubu Sakura-chan? You look really exhausted," Hinata asked gently in her soft voice. Sakura glanced up at her and smiled glad at the thought that at least someone cared (other than her dear Kakashi-san).
"Aaa Hinata-chan, daijoubu. I'll live," she replied in a quiet raspy voice," that is if I manage to pass this damned test," she added ruefully, "I didn't practice because I forgot about it again. Okaa-chan will kill me for sure. Onegai Hinata-chan, tasukete!"
Hinata frowned. Forget about such an important test? This wasn't like Sakura at all. Normally she'd be one of the first in the class to prepare for tests. Sakura excelled at school, so it just wasn't possible for someone like her to just simply forget which most likely meant something was indeed troubling her lately. Hinata knew her too well to understand whatever she was feeling.
"Sakura-chan," Hinata said with a tone of warning in her soft voice, "If you keep doing this you'll never be ready for the graduation exam. It's not like you to be like this. You can't possibly expect to become a ninja they way things are going now."
"WAKATERU!" groaned Sakura as she buried her tired face into her hands, "I'm trying Hinata! But it's just that. . ." her words trailed away not wanting to continue.
"Nani? Doushta no?" asked Hinata gently but Sakura still remained silent as she turned away from her gaze.
Hinata looked at her with pity in her milky white eyes. Why wouldn't she tell her? She frowned worried now to see that her dear friend was truly in stress. Hinata guiltily hung her gaze down ashamed at making her friend feel bad. Demo, Sakura-chan really had to work harder or else Hinata would be separated from her. And that was a very disturbing thought for Hinata.
Sakura turned back and faced Hinata with not a frown but a warm smile, "Daijoubu Hinata-chan, I know you're worried, demo it's really nothing at all. I don't know why I'm acting like this anyway; I'm just being an idiot. Gomen, I shouldn't worry you about little things that are bothering me."
Sakura grinned while Hinata still remained nonplussed by her actions. Whatever was going on, Sakura was clearly trying to gloss the whole thing over. But still Hinata didn't want to force the truth out her, Hinata was sure Sakura would tell her in time when she felt that she actually needed to. They were best friends after all.
"Stop worrying Hinata-chan! I promise I'll try harder Hinata! I'll do it just for you!" Sakura said cheerfully after still seeing the frown on her face.
Hinata stared at her a little taken aback by her words, but then smiled back so she would be pleased. Sakura-chan's grin was so happy although Hinata knew that half the times she'd seen her grin lately, were when she just did them to cover up for what she truly felt. However despite that it always surprised Hinata about how she could never stay sad for long and just went on with her life. It was her smile, which gave her the very happiness of just being by her side everyday. Her warmth was so welcoming, Hinata was glad to be her friend. Hinata smiled pleased at her friend's enthusiasm, which was one of the reasons why she admired her so much. She wished sometimes that she could hold her same kind of strength inside her and be just like Sakura.
"Ne Hinata-chan, you won't believe what just happened to me when I was on my way to school," Sakura changing the subject. She whispered so excitedly that it caused Iruka to stop when he was saying and glare in their direction.
Hinata blushed as he stared with utmost annoyance at them, "Not now Sakura- chan, Iruka-sensei will get mad at us. You can tell me later," Hinata whispered back hastily. Sakura nodded back while putting on an innocent face against Iruka's angered one.
~*~*~*~
"HENGE!"
In a flash of smoke Sakura transformed into an almost exact copy of Iruka- sensei only missing the leaf forehead protector. Before she kept misplacing Iruka's scar but now it remained right over his nose. But it was her greatest accomplishment yet. Hinata applauded pleased at her success.
"You were so close this time Sakura-chan!" said Hinata with an encouraging smile, "I'm sure you'll be able to pass the Henge no Jutsu Test now!"
"Arigatou Hinata-chan!" Sakura replied while catching her breath for a while inwardly cursing herself for not practicing before, "Demo, I'm still not sure if I'll be ready by the end of the lunch break."
Hinata-chan had agreed to help Sakura train and prepare for the test with a crash course on Henge no Jutsu. It really wasn't that complicated of a jutsu but then again Sakura hadn't practiced it fully enough to handle it properly and obviously wasn't quite ready yet. It was also one of the basic jutus in which they had to learn in order to pass and become genin. However, at first Sakura refused to transform into a proper Iruka because she was still mad at him for scolding her. So Sakura spent the first fifteen minutes transforming into insulting forms of Iruka attracting a crowd of laughing students howling hysterically until Hinata got tired of Sakura fooling around:
["And here's an impression of an obese version of our dear sensei," Sakura yelled out to the crowd, "HENGE!"
And as the smoke cleared it left an extremely fat Iruka with a fat bulging stomach. His fat cheeks formed into a similar scowl in which her had given Sakura earlier as she imitated him doing stupid looking taijutsu moves in front of the students.
"Now watch class," she said in a booming voice, "observe as I perform a high kick up my arse!" as she swung Iruka's fat legs tripping over himself. "WHOOPS I FELL, ITAI! OKAY WHICH ONE OF YOU CAUSED ME TO LAND ON MY FAT ARSE?! WHERE'S THE TRAP, I KNOW THERE'S ONE SET UP HERE SOMEWHERE!"
"Yamerou Sakura-chan!" pleaded Hinata-chan as everyone else laughed hard.
"THAT'S IT MISSY YOU'VE GOT DETENTION! EXTRA TRAINING FOR EVERYONE!" yelled Sakura at Hinata still enjoying her fun. The air was filled with fake boos and hisses while they kept laughing at her hilarious imitation.
Hinata scowled now growing very impatient with Sakura. Her vein was popping with aggravation when suddenly it came to her, how to stop her.
"Sakura-chan! Look Kakashi-sensei is coming!" yelled Hinata-chan.]
And so Sakura stopped immediately blushing when Kakashi-sensei actually did come afterwards scaring away the crowd not wanting to get in trouble. Luckily he hadn't seen Sakura's Iruka imitations and she flushed when he gave her friendly wave as he walked on. Sakura sighed with a dreamy look on her face as he left. Hinata gave her a confused look then sweatdropped. Well at least her plan worked. She knew about Sakura's immense crush on the handsome silver haired jounin.
"Well Sakura-chan, I think that's enough training for now. I think it'll be easier if when you do the test in front of Iruka-sensei. That way you don't have to focus on a image in your head because you'll have the real thing in front of you."
Sakura scowled while she pretended to choke with disgust, "Ch', not if I barf first from his ugly scar face."
Hinata laughed but she knew Sakura didn't mean it. She usually took her studies very seriously and was one of Iruka's best students in the academy. It was just the fact that she was very troubled right now, which gave a very sour attitude towards Iruka-sensei. But Hinata was sure she'd get over it and things would go back to normal.
"Ne, Hinata-chan," said Sakura after she had stopped laughing.
"What is it Sakura-chan?"
Sakura sighed as she glanced up towards the sky with a faraway look, but then continued, "Something has been bothering me lately, but I'm just not sure exactly what it is."
"Hmm? Nani?" asked Hinata gently, aware that she was trying to tell her something.
"Watashi. . .watashi. . ."
"Nani? What are you trying to say Sakura-chan?"
Sakura paused now gazing downwards speaking to her toes instead of Hinata,"I-I, well let's say that some strange things are happening right now and that you don't quite understand why and you feel really confused because you're not used to those things happening and that. . .maybe you felt a little lost and it's just too weird but you know something might happen soon that you won't expect which is why you're a bit worried. . ."
Hinata blinked in confusion. Is this what was troubling Sakura-chan?
"Gomen ne, Sakura-chan. I'll still don't understand what you're saying."
Sakura sighed looking slightly disappointed for not being able to say what she meant. Hinata probably wouldn't understand anyway even if she tried to.
"Nothing Hinata-chan, it's nothing. Forget what I said," she replied in the same tired voice as this morning's.
Nothing huh? She said it again, Hinata frowned now becoming even more anxious. She wasn't pleased that Sakura still wouldn't tell her. Even though she had just tried to, Hinata still had no new clues in solving her case. It didn't make a difference from what she said. Mou yii, now even Hinata was becoming frustrated. She sighed and silently went back to the delicious lunch she had prepared for herself. It was still left untouched because the two girls had been busy with their training. Sakura then turned towards Hinata's lunch and grinned as she admired the tasty looking contents of her friend's bento box.
"Hinata-chan you're so sugoi," she said admirably, "I wish I could cook as well as you do. You're so talented, ne."
Hinata blushed as Sakura began drooling at her lunch, "You can have some if you want Sakura-chan. I don't mind, you need energy for the test."
"Ehh?! HONTO?!" squealed Sakura, "Heheheh Sumimasen!" she giggled as she already began to help herself to the sashimi rolls (N/A: so I don't I know EXACTLY what you can put in a bento, lol bear with my idiotic knowledge of Japanese foods).
Hinata sweatdropped as she watched Sakura start munching delightfully. Hinata smiled, she was happy again but how often would it soon be that Sakura had another one of these mood swings? Every time she smiled one of those fake smiles, Hinata felt as though Sakura was only bottling up even more of her feelings. Sakura never let anything out, not even any tears. She didn't know it that meant she was either a strong person or scared and afraid one.
Demo, Sakura looked very cute when she ate. Her round cheeks were now stuffed full of rice with a couple of small sesame seeds dotting her chin.
"Kawaii. . ." Hinata said absent mindedly as she gazed at Sakura. The word slipped out of her mouth so softely that Sakura didn't notice but she looked up suddenly and gave Hinata a strange look.
"Hinata-chan? Doushta no? What are you looking at?" asked Sakura while Hinata blushed, "Oh, sumimasen, am I eating too much of your lunch? Gomen ne, I'm such a pig," she grinned sheepishly.
"Iie Sakura-chan!" Hinata blushed, "It's nothing it's just that. . ."
"No it's alright. Hora!" Sakura said cheerfully as she handed back her bento box, "Here you've got it eat too. I'm such a lousy friend sometimes aren't I? Demo you're always so nice to me. Thanks for helping me train Hinata. Okini!"
"A-Arigatou Sakura-chan," Hinata said shyly as she took back her lunch, "Demo you know me, I would have helped you anyway."
Sakura turned to her with as Hinata blushed as Sakura's emerald green eyes twinkled at her. She took her hands into hers and smiled, "That's why you're such a wonderful friend Hinata-chan."
Hinata grinned happily at her friend's words, the same warmth from her aura filled her with joy. She knew that Sakura cared about her and she knew she could always count on her. They were friends to the end, and Hinata knew even though she sometimes had doubts about how long their friendship would last but she new she didn't have to worry as long she was there for her, just as she was for her.
["Stop worrying Hinata-chan! I promise I'll try harder Hinata! I'll do it just for you!" Sakura said cheerfully after still seeing the frown on her face.]
But why was it that she still kept worrying? Did she give back the equally fake smiles Sakura gave her just to cover up her concern? But why. . .
Why wouldn't she just tell her?
No, she was her friend and this was the way she felt about Sakura because she cared. These precious feelings were the reason they were friends at heart. And so Hinata would continue to show that she cared.
"Gambatte ne Sakura-chan!" Hinata said encouragingly.
"I will Hinata," Sakura replied reassuringly.
The two remained silent for a while when suddenly Sakura jerked her head sharply whirling around as if she had sensed someone's presence. Her eyebrows furrowed into her forehead frowning as if something weren't right.
"Sakura? Doushta no?" asked Hinata curiously.
Sakura turned back she and immediately changed her frown to a smile, "Iie, it's nothing."
Hinata winced when she heard those words once more.
~*~*~*~
"Sakura-chan! We've got to get back soon, lunch's almost over!" called Hinata over her shoulder. She was already heading back to the academy from her walk with Sakura, yet somehow Sakura was now lingering behind as if something was bothering her. She was acting quite strangely throughout the entire lunch break and Hinata definitely noticed it.
"It's alright Hinata-chan, you go on without me, I'll catch up," Sakura replied back, "There's just something I wanna see first."
"Alright Sakura-chan, hurry though," Hinata shouted back, "You don't want to late for the test."
But there was no reply.
"Sakura-chan?"
But Sakura wasn't listening; somehow her face was in some sort of trance. Hinata looked back and gasped at her dilated eyes glancing from side to side as if she were searching for something. A strong breeze began to blow knocking down loose leaves to the ground. Sakura stood there still and silent strangely dazed when suddenly she collapsed onto her knees towards the ground.
"SAKURA-CHAN!!"
Hinata immediately rushed back towards her side and began shaking her shoulders vigorously, "SAKURA-CHAN!! DAIJOUBU DESU KA? SPEAK TO ME!! SAKURA!!!"
"Eh? Nani? What happened to her Hinata?"
Hinata whirled around startled by the voice. She turned around to see that it was Kakashi-sensei standing behind her. Strange, she hadn't sensed him coming at all.
~*~*~*~*~
Where was she?
She opened her eyes wide and glanced all around her. A solitary pink petal fluttered before her.
Masaka! The Sakura blossoms, uso she was back at the patch of cherry trees.
"Sakura, won't you come see us?"
What was that? Sakura whirled around, she glanced all about her but she couldn't sense a single presence nearby.
"Sakura, you left us. Why won't you come see us?"
Masaka! It was them again! The spirits were calling once more.
"Sakura-chan, we miss you. Why did you leave? Don't you miss us?"
"Sakura-chan!"
The gale appeared once more. Sakura suddenly felt so afraid and alone.
"I-I never wanted to leave you, but you left me. I tried to save you all before in my dream but then you all left me remember?" she cried nervously into the wind.
The gust grew stronger, and somehow Sakura had the slightest feeling that they were all still watching. She could feel the air thicken and somehow she could see shadows of their presence.
"Gomen," she faltered, "I never meant to leave."
"Sakura, come see us soon. We're waiting for you."
"Nanda? Doushite?" she whimpered nervously.
"It's alright, you can come see us later. We're waiting. All of us."
And then they abruptly stopped speaking. Sakura looked up and she knew for sure that they were gone. Standing still she gasped for a while still scared by the sudden voices now haunting her.
"Come back Sakura."
~*~*~*~
"Kakashi-sensei!" Hinata sputtered, " I was just calling to Sakura but then she just went into this trance and then. . ."
He frowned at Sakura's state and bent down beginning to shake her shoulder gently as well. He examined her furrowing his brows as if her were trying to sense what was wrong with her.
"D-did someone put a jutsu on her sensei?" asked Hinata nervously.
He did not reply and Hinata sat quietly and she watched him speak to her unconscious self.
"Wake up, Sakura-chan." He whispered into her ear.
And at the moment suddenly Sakura sprung back to life and popped back up. She gasped and panted as she had just awoken from a nightmare. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead. Panting she looked all around at her surroundings. Hinata sat there shocked with surprise but suddenly began to hug her tightly in relief. Sakura blushed as she tried to shrug her off.
"Sakura-chan you're alright!!" cried Hinata, "YOKATTA!! I was so afraid. I didn't know what to do until Kakashi-sensei came!"
"Kakashi-sensei?" said Sakura puzzled but then turned to her side and realized that he was there.
"Sakura-chan. Daijoubu ka?" he asked with concerned look.
"H-Hai!" Sakura exclaimed as she started to blush again, "I'm fine! A- Arigatou Kakashi-sensei!"
He stared at her as if he was still not entirely convinced. She could feel his dark eyes look straight into her green ones. His piercing gaze made Sakura feel uneasy and she blushed under his gaze. It felt as though he could see right through her, reading her mind and analyzing it. Somehow instead of their usual warmth Kakashi's eyes seemed so cold and dark, giving her a chill down her spine.
"Sakura. Be careful," he said sternly as he stood up from his spot and began to silently walk away.
Sakura watched him as he left somehow hurt by his words. It hurt her to see him leave.
But what did he mean? Be careful of what?
"Sakura-chan," Hinata slowly began to ask, "I think you should tell me what's going on with you right now."
Sakura said nothing as she didn't dare look at her. She didn't want to worry her even more. What she didn't want Hinata to know was that she kept hearing the voices same ones from the Sakura trees. Despite how much she trusted Hinata, she didn't feel much like telling her about the strange dreams she had been having. Even though Hinata was very understanding, Sakura knew she'd find her crazy if she told her. The spirits, they were now calling for her to go back, but she couldn't right now. Not when she had the test to attend to. But the urge was so strong that Sakura just couldn't seem to fight it. It was like an ache in her chest holding her back. Shyaanarou! What was going on with her?
She glanced back at the pathway that lead away from the school and to the nearby Sakura trees on a secret fork which she had discovered this morning. And that was then when she decided that,
She would indeed go back and see them again.
TBC?
Footnote on Japanese terms (no repeats):
Kuso- dammit, Eiga- You hear me?, otomodachi- best friend, chigai- you're wrong!, Doushta no- What's wrong?, tasukete- help me, wakateru- I know, Henge- transform, mou yii- oh well, sugoi-amazing, honto-really, kawaii- cute, doushta no?- what's wrong?, hora- here, okini- much obliged, Gambatte ne- try your best!, urusai- shut up!, nanda- what?, doushite- why?, yokatta- thank goodness!
Laruku-chan: Gomen ne minna! I revised it again because the last time I just seriously wasn't pleased with it. I changed it a lot though I hope I still enchanced the idea of this chapter. Somehow the Sakuhina factor didn't stand out as much as last time, err think. Maybe the other way around, *sweatdrop* I'm kinda confused.
Sasuke-kun: Ch' well someone's slow.
Laruku-chan: Well at least you're talking to me again. *sighs* It seems like there's a new couple in each chappie. *grins* the first chapter sort of had a NaruSaku (not really but the idea anyway), the last one had a KakaSaku feel to it (Sasuke scowls), now this one had a yuri-like one. SakuHina!
Sasuke-kun: *growls* Notice how they gradually become even worse and worse?!! I'm telling you this girl has an extremely twisted mind. Kowaii.
Laruku-chan: Mou! Well I wonder what you'll say when sasusaku appears in the fic!
Sasuke-kun: . . .
Laruku-chan: ha, can't say anything now can you. *sticks out her tongue* neways, I'm pretty much okay with any couple as long it involves Sakura- chan! *squeals* j/k, I like a lot of couples. Sakuhina is a strange couple to me but I'm pretty pleased with this chappie, because I think hasn't been quite expressed in most other Naruto fics, (well none in ones I've read, :P). But I thought Hinata would play a great role as Sakura's best friend like in CCS where Tomoyo is very loyal to Sakura. A sort of friendship role but if you've a twisted mind *like mine ^^* you think it's really kawaii to be something else.
Sasuke-kun:???
Laruku-chan: which proves that there are going to a lot of couples! Tee hee, so don't get too attached to a couple and start flaming me because it doesn't have the one you want. I'm sick of discussing couples, I just go with it even if there isn't much proof to support it. To hell with it, it's a fanfiction for god's sake! It's where anything can happen.
Sasuke-kun: which is a really scary thought when you think about it.
Laruku-chan: True! But fans always want it their way, ne Sasuke?
Sasuke-kun: *glares* yea, like a certain obsessed sasusaku fan I know. . .
Laruku-chan: *blushes* you can't say anything about it in your situation!
Sasuke-kun: *blushes* Urusai baka. . .
