Sasuke paced nervously down the hospital room, a shaking hand clutching a phone to his ear.

"Hello?" A voice said on the other end.

Sasuke gulped.

"It's…it's about Sakura."

-

The door burst open.

"What happened to—YOU!"

Sasuke stood up and raised his hands defensively.

"Miruko, this is not the time—"

"What do you mean this is not the time! This is my girlfriendwe're talking about, not yours! What did you do to her!"

Miruko walked up to Sasuke threateningly, before seeing Sakura laying unconscious on the bed beside them.

"Oh, my god…" He rushed over to her side, kneeling by the bed, stroking her hair and whispering sweet nothings.

Silence.

"Wh-what…what happened?" He whispered.

"She got hit by…by a car." Sasuke answered.

Miruko's fist clenched the sheets and he closed his eyes angrily.

"Oh, god…oh, Sakura…I'm sorry…so, so sorry…"

Sakura's head was lolled to one side, pink hair fanning out on the deathly white pillow. Her lips were slightly parted, the color once a soft pink now an evolving dark bruise. Features were hollow, thin hands lay eerily still on the sheets. Consistent beeping from a monitor was their only comfort.

Sasuke restrained himself from reaching out and gently stroking her face, knowing Miruko needed his time alone with her.

Other people loved her. He would just have to live with that.

But who did she love? That would make the difference.

So Sasuke found himself wondering what love really is.

How can you tell when you love someone? It might just be a crush, a little "like" in highschool years.

Are there symptoms?

Is it the racing of the heart every time he sees her?

Is it the unwanted nervousness and welcomed happiness of seeing her smiling face?

Is it the need to keep her safe when tears trickle out of her eyes?

Is it the desire to capture her lips in a kiss?

A nurse walked in.

"I'm going to have to ask both of you to leave. Sakura is recovering well. She will probably be able to return home tomorrow."

Miruko and Sasuke looked at the nurse with skepticism written all over their faces.

"What are you talking about?" Sasuke was the first to speak. "She isn't even awake."

The nurse's lips twitched into a smile.

"She is now."

-

The next day, Sasuke saw a bandaged Sakura walking home, hand in hand with a relieved Miruko. He sighed, and slid down the wall, holding his head in his hands and asking the ceiling what he did wrong.

Unbeknownst to him, his three friends stood in the doorway, watching him.

Naruto rubbed his hands together and giggled evilly.

"I think it's time for Operation R.A.M.E.N."

"What does that stand for?" Neji and Shikamaru asked simultaneously.

Naruto scratched his head.

"Still have to figure that one out."

Sorry for the excessively long wait on that one. Been really busy.

I a have a vague idea what RAMEN is going to stand for; if you have any suggestions, feel free to bombard the reviews with ideas.

hehhe..

AlternateEndings.