Summary: She had given up on the idea of being anything more than a friend to him, concentrating more on her training than him. During the course of her training, he had begun to realize that what he felt about her was past peripheral vision. Sasuke/Sakura.
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, at all. All the characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi-sensei. The only thing in this story that is mine will be the OCs and the plot itself.
Past Peripheral Vision
Chapter Five – Two Days' Rest
Her tan eyes narrowed in frustration as she stared at the stack of paper in front of her. Who knew that she had this much work to finish! Looking up, her brown optics looked to see if the Jounin was still around. Another female was standing by the doorway, a stern look on her face. Indeed she was. Sighing, she picked up a pen with her right hand and pulled down a paper from the stack and began to scan through the white sheet. Her lips twitched involuntarily as her fingers drummed against the wood of her table. She would have finished long ago but she had fallen asleep in the middle of working on the current stack. The ink on her face proved that much. The Jounin who was with her refused to let her go home until the papers were finished. She really hated this part of being Hokage; so many papers that needed to be signed went to her office. She vaguely wondered how the Sandaime lasted in all those years in office.
"Shizune, could you get me some green tea and onigiri?" spoke the Godaime as she looked up. The Jounin looked aghast at the thought of even leaving her alone in the room. The Godaime could sneak out and go home instead of doing the paper work. "Even if you ask someone else to do it, like, Yuuta, to get me the stuff," said the Godaime with a sigh as she bent her head down low to continue working. She really could have used the chance to escape but in the end, she was too lazy to even do that. She could have at least had tea and onigiri to fill herself while she stayed in her office for another good hour or so. Sighing, she put the finished paper beside the tall stack in front of her as she picked out another one. It was going to be a long and tiring night.
Outside, Naruto was practically flying through the hallways, Sakura in his arms, heaving heavy breaths. The Chuunin and the occasional Jounin who were there tried to stop him from running but the minute they saw the sick Chuunin in his arms, they let him pass through. It was most likely urgent if Naruto was going to see the Godaime in the dead of night with a sick person. They didn't notice the rosy tresses of Sakura, her head pressed against Naruto's chest. The blonde Chuunin was cursing mentally as he trudged the steps. He really hated that part of the building and now was definitely not the time for them to exist. His heart soared with relief when he neared the Godaime's office. He could vaguely see the body of Shizune, leaning against the door frame. "Shizune-nee-chan, is Tsunade-baa-chan inside?" he shouted frantically. The Jounin peered towards his direction and nodded slowly, a look on confusion on her face. "It's Sakura-chan!" he explained as he jogged in place, the pink haired Chuunin in his arms.
"Naruto, can't you be considerate!" fumed Tsunade as she appeared behind the Jounin, ignoring the fact that there was a person within Naruto's hold, "I'm pretty busy, you know! I can't just always see you." Naruto's frantic babbles continued as he jogged in place, explaining Sakura's predicament. Tsunade's rage was soon replaced by fear and worry as she blanched. Sakura had been far too engrossed in her training to even notice that she was getting more fatigued every day that passed by. "Set… set her on the couch, Naruto," whispered Tsunade as she stepped aside, her skin paler than it normally was. The Chuunin nodded obediently as he entered her office. "Shizune, make sure no one disturbs me while Sakura is here," ordered Tsunade as she walked over to the unconscious girl. The Jounin nodded, slightly perturbed at the pink haired girl's condition. "Naruto, explain how Sakura got like this and Shizune, ask someone to get a bowl of cold water and a couple of towels," spoke Tsunade as she put her hand on the girl's forehead. She quickly drew it out because of the heat.
"Eh… Sakura-chan and I were practicing tonight, as we do sometimes," began Naruto as he fidgeted in place. Tsunade nodded as she motioned for the Chuunin to continue. "Well, after sparring, Sakura-chan and I just decided to talk and rest you see," continued Naruto, amazingly keeping calm after all that he had gone through. The Godaime nodded once more. "Well, then, she asked me if I could bring her Crescent Blade to her," said Naruto as he fidgeted some more, "So I said okay, even if I didn't fully understand her. She said thank you then she just fainted! When I caught her, her skin was burning hot!" Tsunade let out a sigh as the door creaked open. Shizune was back with what she had been tasked to get. "Shimatta!" cursed Naruto as he realized what he had forgotten. Tsunade and Shizune looked at the blonde boy. "Tsunade-baa-chan, Shizune-nee-chan, I entrust Sakura-chan in your care!" said Naruto speedily as he began running out, "I'll be back with her Crescent Blade!"
"Sakura-san pushed herself over her limits, these past three weeks," commented Shizune as she wrung out the cold water from the towel. The Godaime nodded as she took the towel and set it on top of Sakura's forehead. She could vaguely hear the water sizzle softly against her skin, but it was probably her imagination. She was too worried about the condition of the Chuunin. Tsunade nodded as she looked over the pink haired girl. Her skin was still hot and she was still heaving heavy breaths but at least her body was lying down on the couch. "Shall I inform Aya-san now?" whispered Shizune as she looked at the Godaime once more, worry painting her face. Even though she wasn't as close to Sakura as the Godaime, Shizune had fond feelings for the pink haired Chuunin under Tsunade's apprenticeship. The blonde haired female nodded as she dipped the second towel into the cold water and wrung it, removing the first and setting the second on top of Sakura's forehead.
The Next Day
Jade green eyes blinked open tiredly, fuzzy figures and various colors assaulting her vision. Tiredly, she set the back of her hand across her forehead. It was still hot but not quite the same temperature as it had been around ten hours ago. It was silent where she was resting. She could hear her heart pound softly against her rib cage. "This isn't where I want to be," she mumbled to herself as she sat up straight. Looking at the side table, she found her hitai-ate folded neatly. "Hmm, I wonder why," she whispered to herself as her fingers ran across the cold metal plate, feeling the impressions formed by years of use, the wear and tear getting to the metal. Her senses alerted when she heard the door creak open. A familiar female appeared in front of her, a smile of relief on her face. "Tsunade-shishou," she greeted as she bowed her upper body slightly. The Godaime had already entered when she looked back up. Three familiar men were behind her. It was the rest of Team Seven.
"You should know better, Sakura," said Tsunade with a sigh as she sat down on the chair near Sakura's bedside. The Chuunin laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head. "I mean, you're a Medical Specialist and you have gone under my training so I expect you to know better!" she added as she rubbed her temples. Sakura's fever had gone down, at least, but she was still too weak to train today. Tsunade had decided for her to postpone her training for today and tomorrow so that her body could rest. Kakashi, Naruto and even Sasuke were there in the hospital room, visiting the sole female in their basic four-man group. Standing up, she made one last reminder before leaving. "You're to do absolutely no physical training whatsoever today. I'm leaving Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke a last D-Rank mission to make sure you stay in this hospital room today and tomorrow," announced Tsunade. Sakura made a weary response as she fell back in her bed. This was the last thing she wanted to happen to her, for Sasuke to be able to see her fragility once more.
"Sakura-chan, you shouldn't have trained last night if you knew you had a fever," mumbled Naruto as he crossed his arms, his blue eyes narrowing with concern. The pink haired girl mumbled her apologies for making Naruto worry. "I mean, it wasn't a big deal or anything, training despite the presence of a forty degree fever," muttered Naruto sarcastically. He really hated it when Sakura trained even further and disregarded her personal safety. There was a chance that something could happen to her and he didn't want anything to happen to what he considered his family, Team Seven. Sakura mumbled her apologies once more, dipping her head, her rosy locks covering her face. Naruto didn't seem to hear, keeping the same expression on his face. A fist landed on his head a few moments after. "What was that for, Sasuke-teme!" he grumbled as he pointed an accusing finger towards the Uchiha.
"Don't get me wrong, but I understand why Sakura did that," said Sasuke calmly, his onyx gaze refusing to land on the pink haired girl. The female Chuunin looked up, slight redness from embarrassment staining her cheeks. Even the Jounin of the five and the Godaime looked back at the Uchiha. "Really, I'm not siding with her or anything but even you would do that, Naruto, if it means strengthening yourself even further, to prove your worth as a Konoha shinobi," he muttered as he pocketed his hands, balling them into fists once they were covered by the cloth of his white shorts. His outfit as a Chuunin was hardly any different from his Genin days, his shirt now black instead of blue. "Something I failed to understand four years ago," he mumbled simply as he looked away. His line of thought then was to gain every possible amount of strength he could, even if it meant straying and taking a bite of the Devil's fruit. He didn't understand that Konoha would be there to help him grow stronger. Tsunade smiled as she stood up.
"Well, I'll be going now," she informed as she put her hand on Sakura's head, "And don't you dare get out of that bed unless to go to the bathroom or something." Her fingers pulled slightly at Sakura's rose colored tresses, the Chuunin flinching slightly. Sakura nodded as an apologetic look found its way to her face once more. "Good," said Tsunade with a smile as she let go of Sakura's hair, the pink locks messed up, "I'll have Shizune or Aya come by to visit with some fruits that will be good for you. Don't put the blindfold on until you're back in training. Just, give yourself a break for now, Sakura." Sakura whispered her thanks as she covered her eyes with the back of her hand once more. The glare was starting to hurt her eyes. It had been so long since she had last removed the blindfold and looked up at a source of light. "Oh yes, Naruto, what do you say?" asked Tsunade sweetly as she stepped back in, danger coating the words beneath her honeyed tone.
"Sorry, Sakura-chan, I didn't know what I was saying," he mumbled as he plopped down to the floor. Tsunade had already left the vicinity of the hospital after Naruto had said the first word. The pink haired Chuunin removed her hand from her face and looked at Naruto, saying it was alright. She understood perfectly why he was angry, upset really. He had every right to at that moment. "But I didn't need to blow up in front of you, especially while you're still recovering," he said, his voice strained, his blue eyes watery, "Never ever ever will I get mad at you again, Sakura-chan!" Naruto had hugged the slightly sick girl tightly after saying that. The Chuunin was starting to turn blue at the lack of air.
"Na-ru-to!" she choked out as she stretched out her hand, as if trying to grasp air. The Jounin had a slightly alarmed look on his face as he tried to pry Naruto off. Sasuke sighed once more. Things like this would never change, even if they were now four years older and supposedly four years wiser. Soon enough, Kakashi had managed to pry Naruto off of the pink haired girl, despite the iron vice-like grip the blonde was showing. Sakura was taking deep breaths to regain oxygen in her circulation which had been abruptly cut off courtesy of Naruto. "At least warn me if you're going to hug me that tightly," rasped Sakura, her skin returning to its usual pale cream color. Naruto laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head as he offered his own set of apologies. "Where's my Crescent Blade?" she asked worriedly, looking around in the room. She at least had to know if her new weapon was safe.
"Over there, wrapped in the white cloth," informed Kakashi, his lone right eye twinkling slightly. Sakura's head whipped to where Sasuke was standing, the Uchiha pointing to the C-shaped weapon whose ends were pointing dangerously towards him. "When Aya found out you had a fever and wouldn't be able to train today and tomorrow, she threatened to rip me apart limb from limb if I don't make sure your Crescent Blade was wrapped in cloth. Something about rust, she says," explained Kakashi as he whipped out his signature orange book. Sakura winced. Even if she was sick, that was no excuse for him to delay his readings. "I vaguely recall a mission involving you three, three rags, some metal shine, three whetstones and a room full of shuriken and kunai," said Kakashi, reminiscing the old days. The three Chuunin visibly winced at the recollection of that memory. The three of them had developed a habit of making sure all their kunai, shuriken and all other weapons were sharp and clean before setting out on any mission, D-Rank or otherwise. "Go to sleep. Tsunade-sama will have my head if you don't get any better," said Kakashi in a slight fatherly tone.
"Hai," she whispered tiredly as she turned on her side, her back facing the trio. Her jade green eyes fluttered closed almost instantaneously as she gave in to Kakashi's demand for her to rest. Her body and mind were still tired. Five eyes kept close watch on the sick Chuunin until they were absolutely sure she was asleep. It had been years since they last had a D-Rank mission, all of them sick of menial labor disguised at missions. For once, this was something all of them didn't mind doing. Usually, Sasuke had the urge to leave and train, or at least do something productive, if it involved him and a D-Rank mission. He didn't like staying cooped up and do absolutely nothing. But for some unexplainable reason, or at least in the Uchiha's thinking, he didn't seem to mind being cooped up in Sakura's hospital room for the next two days. In fact, if all his rational thought were lost, he'd even call the experience enjoyable.
Sakura's breathing became normal and rhythmic as minutes passed by. Three tensed shoulders relaxed as they decided to entertain themselves while staying within the room. Kakashi was reading, as per normal. Naruto was looking around in the hospital room, laughing mentally at the irony of it all. It was usually either him, Sasuke or Kakashi in a hospital room with Sakura fussing over them. Now, it was Sakura in the hospital room with the three of them keeping watch. They'd never fuss over anyone. It wasn't in their nature. Sasuke picked out an apple from the existing fruit basket and bit into it. Tangy sweetness spread in his mouth as images of him sitting idly on a hospital bed, peering out of the window flashed through his mind. Sakura was always at his bedside, a plate of cut and peeled apples on her lap.
"I never imagined this to happen, you know," commented Kakashi idly as he mechanically flipped a page in his book. This statement caught the attention of the two boys. "Sakura never seemed like the type to be sent to the hospital," explained Kakashi as his lone eye darted from right to left, reading what was printed on the book. The room stayed silent, the crunches from Sasuke biting into the apple as well as their breathing being the only sound in the quaint room. "Naruto has always been on dangerous missions, even as a Genin, and he puts himself into dangerous situations," explained Kakashi as he flipped the page once more, "Sasuke is strong and usually attacks directly. The aura he emits plus his Sharingan is enough to make brave enemy shinobi want target him, proudly able to say he was able to defeat one of the remaining Uchiha. I am a Jounin, enough said. Sakura was always the type to stay back and offer tactical support." Kakashi had stated the facts so calmly it seemed like nothing was wrong.
"That's why Sakura-chan is training! She's training to close the narrow gap between us," said Naruto proudly. Though he wasn't directly involved in deciding how Sakura was going to train one day and then how she would train the next, he was at least playing a role, no matter how small it was, in helping their sole female teammate strengthen herself. Kakashi nodded slowly as he flipped another page, the smoothness of the paper running against his fingers. The blonde boy looked towards the sleeping girl, a slight smile on his face. "I really hope Sakura-chan gets better soon. It doesn't suit her to be in a hospital room, nor does it suit us to watch over her," he commented softly as he cradled the back of his head with both of his hands.
"Aa," muttered Sasuke as he held the stem of the apple between his fingers, the core dangling freely. Spying a trash can, he readied himself to throw it. With pinpoint accuracy, the remains of the apple landed into the plastic bin with a soft thump. "It really doesn't," he added as he sat down on the chair situated behind him. Crossing his legs, Sasuke leaned back into the chair. With his arms crossed and his eyes closed, he began thinking of the events involving himself and his female teammate. Did his rejection that day really drive her to this point? Did she really have no patience to admire him the way she did, not that he minded at all. He had to admit, it worried him, though only slightly, to see her sick, tired and unable to do anything, but it showed her true determination to grow stronger.
Hours passed by with hardly any interruptions. During this time, the three males had decided to split their watches into six different segments. An initial watch would require the presence of all three. Sasuke and Naruto would then leave afterwards, as their mornings were usually busy. Both would be back in time for lunch. Kakashi and Naruto would then leave the Uchiha alone but be back in time during mid-afternoon. Naruto would be left alone for the last solo-shift with the two others back in time for a slightly late dinner. The trio would stay the night in accommodations that the Godaime had asked to be made. Aya had also visited though was greeted by a sleeping Sakura. Sasuke and Naruto had managed to meet the Jounin and learn more about the female who was tasked with training Sakura.
"It's time for bed!" said Naruto enthusiastically as he huddled under the covers. Sasuke shrugged carelessly as he looked for a place to sit, a blanket wrapped around him firmly. He had recently developed the habit of sleeping sitting down, explaining that it would be the easiest position for him if he was suddenly attacked. He had become a light sleeper ever since his family had died by the hands of the man who was his brother. Kakashi was situated on the second bed, since the Uchiha wasn't going to be taking it. "Good night Sakura-chan!" whispered Naruto to the sleeping girl. The female Chuunin had only been awake to go to the bathroom or eat her meals. Surprisingly, she ate the hospital food without complaint. "Night, Kakashi-sensei!" The Jounin mumbled something about Naruto being obviously too energetic to go to bed. "Night… Sasuke-teme," muttered the blonde forcefully.
"Hn," mumbled Sasuke as he flicked off the switch. Finding his way to the couch, the raven haired male sat down with his blanket around him once more. Shifting his position to a more comfortable one, he dozed off. He hoped for the pink haired girl to get better by the next day. He had better things to do than watch over a sick girl. She had better things to do than lying down in a hospital bed, sleeping to regain her strength. They both had better things to do than idle around in a white hospital room. "So annoying," he murmured in his sleep as he shifted his position once more. His dreams were always bothering him, be it dreams of that night or dreams of a certain pink haired female. "Why do I dream of you," he muttered as he fell deeper into his sleep. His dream world darkened, for the first time since his family had died, allowing him peaceful slumber. Perhaps, it was so because he was starting to learn how to face his fears. Or perhaps, it was because her presence was nearby, allowing him some comfort.
Tsuzuku…
I'm so sorry for the late update! The phone company had some cable problems so my internet effectively died and I enough self-respect to not go inside internet cafes! Or… the lack of available transportation to bring me to one comes into view.
And yes, this is day one. Next chapter is day two of her resting day.
Sasuke seems a bit bothered by Sakura's current predicament. Oh who am I kidding? Sasuke is bothered by the current predicament of our favorite pink haired kunoichi!
I really like the end! The fact that Sakura is nearby is giving him a chance to finally slumber peacefully, a dreamless state where nothing can go wrong.
And to make up for my late update, I've already got chapters six through eleven basically planned out. And, I really don't think PPV will be ending soon, as I've got the training to finish, as well as the Jounin Exams. I'm thinking of dividing PPV into two, the training and the Jounin Exams. The second part of this fanfic will be called Past Peripheral Vision: Act Two! That way, PPV won't be a fanfic with an insanely long chapter list.
If you read my one-shot collection, As Time Passes, I'm sure you've already read this announcement. For those who haven't, however, here it is!
Check out my fanfiction archive. The URL is: http / fidelis .hakkai .net
Take out the spaces and you're there. I advise you to check it out because there may be fanfics there that aren't in fanfictionNET.
Next Chapter: Chapter Six – Heart to Heart Talk
Chapter Preview: "So," she began as she clasped her hands together. Her heart was beating erratically against her rib cage as her cheeks reddened due to embarrassment. His sharp onyx eyes watched as their fellow Chuunin and their former Jounin sensei began walking away from the hospital, both of them chattering good naturedly. He didn't respond to what seemed to be her attempt of trying to spark up a conversation. "Sorry," she mumbled as she ran an irritated hand through her rose colored tresses, "If it weren't for my weakness, you wouldn't be here watching over me. You'd be doing something else that's much more important." That statement caught his attention. Turning his head, he focused his onyx gaze on her. "But you know, Sasuke-kun, I'm not as weak as I used to be, or I'm trying not to be weak anyway," she said with a slight grin on her face. Facing him, the pink haired Chuunin smiled a strained smile. "And I hope you see at least that much, Sasuke-kun, I really do," she spoke. For some unexplainable reason, his heart tore at her current expression.