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 Eleven – Her Strength

It was uncharacteristically noisy at the hospital, the people gathered there pushing and shoving against each other to see a doctor. The festival had just finished hours ago and now, they were all sick to the core. It hadn't happened in any of the past festivals, so why was it happening now? The few doctors and nurses who were still awake look worriedly at each other. A few Medical Specialists had been deployed by the Godaime and more were on their way. Everything was in chaos. Everyone wanted to vomit. Everyone was feeling week. Occasionally, a voice thundered from the crowd, telling them to move aside. The authority a Medical Specialist had was astounding, especially in the midst of what the doctors had declared an epidemic. It made the medical staff worry. Why, after such an enjoyable festival, was there an epidemic in Konoha? Hopefully, it wasn't a scheme at starting a biological war against the Nin of the Leaf.

The phone lines were busy, mostly being used by the few non-medical staff in the hospital to call the houses of doctors and the few precious Medical Specialists that they had. Some ninjas, out of the kindness of their hearts, had offered to round up the other capable Medical Specialists the hospital staff didn't have the number of, as well as the Godaime herself. Anyone willing enough to wake up the Godaime could be considered a hero, her wrath terrible when she was woken up without any good reason. The familiar pink haired Chuunin, surprisingly, was not in the phonebooks of the hospital, opting to send a message through one of the Chuunin who had made her acquaintance. The medical staff members were anxiously biting down on their lower lips for reinforcements which were really needed at the moment.

In her room, she was sleeping lightly, not yet completely asleep. Sakura managed to sleep lightly, if she could help it or she was really worried. At the moment, she couldn't get her mind off the stench she remembered in the festival. Flipping over from her right side to her left and back, Sakura tried to find a comfortable position to fall asleep in. She was mentally counting sheep as she unconsciously clenched and unclenched her hands, small crescent-shaped marks visible where her nails had dug. A long and continuous knocking sound reverberated in the room, sending waves of panic through the pink haired girl's system. Standing, she made her way towards the door, her hand trembling. As her bare feet padded softly against the wooden panels of the floor, the panic level in her system rose with every step. Opening the door, wary at what she might expect.

"Sakura-sama!" said a Chuunin breathlessly, her ragged dark violet locks landing on her face as she clung desperately to the door for balance. The pink haired female waited for some sort of identification from the one who had called upon her this late. She had wrapped her hitai-ate around her face once more. "It's me, Kazuya Ran, the disciple of Shizune-sensei," she explained, her voice strained. Sakura nodded once more, recognizing the female. "There's been an epidemic," said Ran, her movements jittery as she hastened to explain the situation. Sakura's heart started pounding once more. She knew it! "The hospital needs you and for some reason, your number wasn't in the phonebooks of the hospital so they sent me to inform you," she explained, biting down on her lower lip afterwards, "And it's getting really crowded. Sakura-sama, we need you to be there to ease the load!"

"Epidemic?" asked Sakura wearily, images of unrivalled clarity from the night before, when she and the Uchiha prodigy walked past the food stalls, burning brightly in her mind. Ran nodded with the same jittery movements, biting down on her lower lip even harder, almost threatening it to bleed. "What kind?" She was almost afraid to ask. When the words 'food' and 'poisoning' escaped Ran's lips, Sakura almost fainted with guilt. "Okay, Ran, please go back to the hospital now," she said sincerely, taking control of her senses before she did anything irrational. The other Chuunin looked at her, clearly confused. "I'll just change into my clothes and go ahead. I'm sure there are people who have already roused Tsunade-shishou from her sleep to go to the hospital," explained Sakura hastily as she led the Chuunin outside the house, "I'll be there in at most thirty minutes." Ran squeaked a reply before running off.

Sakura thought about how Ran had been able to get into the house without any screams of protest from her parents. They probably let her in, her mind occupied with other thoughts so she was highly likely unable to hear Ran's insistent knocking from the door that sealed the house from the outside world. As she picked up her clothes, Sakura had rushed in the bathroom and locked the door shut. Pulling her tank top over her head, she bound her chest with a sports bra and began changing into her ninja garb. Her shoes would wait later, as they were outside. In the silence of her room, she could hear her heart pound loudly, the only thing that went against the silence of the house. Her knees were weak at the news of an epidemic. Why now, after such an enjoyable festival, celebrating the founding day of their beloved home?

On the Way to the Hospital

Sakura's heart pounded violently against her ribcage as she raced through the streets of Konoha, on her way to the hospital. The sun had yet to rise and already everyone was awake, adrenalin pumping her to move faster. Her vision blurred slightly as she was still somewhat tired, the objects in front of her sometimes merging into each other then separating. She could feel her legs getting heavier and heavier with each step, her breathing becoming short and ragged. She couldn't think straight. She was far too worried to do so. Her feelings the night before were right! She should have done something about it but didn't, opting to just enjoy the remainder of the festival with him. Bumping into something, someone to be more exact, she felt her knees buckle and gravity pull her down. Expecting to meet the cold and wet pavement, the rain still falling gently, she felt herself pulled up. Opening her eyes, her cheeks reddened. "Sasuke-kun," she murmured, her breath visible in the cold air.

"What are you doing out here so early in the morning?" he asked, his voice dulled by the frost of the early morning air. Sakura hastily explained that she had some business to attend to. "Business," he repeated firmly, blocking her path effectively. He was going to pry it out of her. After all, he had become the second best interrogator in the entire village, second only to Morino Ibiki, the Jounin who wouldn't betray the village secrets to spare his life. He had sported more than a lifetime's worth of scars to prove his iron will. "What kind of business, if I may ask?" he added, though it was more of a command than a request for him to know. Sakura had gotten sick before because of overexertion in training. Kakashi had given them a silent order to make sure she wouldn't do that again. It would worry him to no end.

"There's a food poisoning epidemic, Sasuke-kun! What do you want me to do, stay at home while the villagers, both shinobi and civilian alike, suffer at the hands of this medical tragedy?" she muttered bitterly looking away at him. The Uchiha prodigy was taken aback at the tone of her voice, never expecting it from her. He managed, however, to keep his normal poker face as she said that. "Now will you please let me go?" she asked urgently, her jade eyes filled with worry for the people that were continuously gathering at the hospital, "I need to help them!" Without any sign of protest, Sasuke stepped to the side, letting the pink haired Medical Specialist pass. Without any farewell, the pink haired girl fled, dashing off towards the hospital, not even bothering to look back at the Uchiha prodigy she had so adored.

"When did you change, Sakura?" mumbled Sasuke to himself as his sharp onyx eyes watched as her figure grew smaller and smaller into the distance. Broken images of his childhood burned in his mind as they began to shift from one to another, as if a movie. Then, it reached the point when he had found out he was a Genin along with Sakura and Naruto. The Chuunin Exam came next, a feeling of superiority surging through his veins. He had at least made it to all three parts. She didn't. The last night in Konoha made him feel particularly bitter, seeing her tears, her fragility and her hopes to get him to stay or at least take her with him. The time when they had brought him back to Konoha wasn't as painful as that. His second try at the Chuunin Exams was far too easy for him. The recent events had been but a blur to him. In all those moments, it seems that he had just closed his eyes for a second and the next thing he knew it, the Sakura he used to know was gone, replaced by this far stronger Sakura he had to accept.

At the Hospital

"Sakura-sama!" said one of the nurses breathlessly, not even giving the pink haired Chuunin some time to take a deep breath. "Thank heavens you're here!" she said in relief as she began pushing Sakura towards one of the more crowded rooms. The minute the pink haired Chuunin arrived, both civilians and shinobi alike had begun to settle down, a wave of relief flooding over everyone. They were all in good and capable hands now that one of the very few direct Medical Specialists under the Godaime herself. To be exact, she was only one of two. "Here's a clipboard on what the doctors have found out so far," explained the nurse as she handed the pink haired girl the aforementioned item. "We've prepared your usual room, room 323," informed the nurse as she led Sakura to the stairs, "Thank you for coming here, Sakura-sama."

"It's no problem. I'm glad to be of help. I can begin seeing patients in five minutes," instructed Sakura before feeling about for the hand rails and running up the flight of stairs to her usual room. She'd remove the hitai-ate later, when she was already in her room. Her heart pounded as she made it inside. Pulling off her hitai-ate, she set it on a nearby table and began to read what was printed on it. Her face began to grow livid at the medical report. It was a food poisoning epidemic. Everyone was showing similar symptoms to each other and when the patient was asked what they had eaten during the festival, all of them had a common food item of seafood okonomiyaki. "I knew it," she murmured softly to herself as she fell to the floor, her jade eyes distant with shock. A persistent knocking sound snapped her out of her self-pity. "Come in," said Sakura firmly, standing up straight. Her eyes widened at who she saw. "Sasuke-kun, what are you doing here!"

"I thought you might need some help here. You looked absolutely insane with worry and grief when we bumped into each other earlier this morning," explained Sasuke, shoving his hands deeper within his pockets. This was not the first time he was thankful for having a shirt with a wide collar. It had served its purpose well, hiding his slightly reddening cheeks from his former teammate. A smile of relief and gratitude found its way to Sakura's face when she heard him say that. "So, what do I do?" he asked, trying to break the awkward air around them. The Medical Specialist told him that all he really had to do was hand her the equipment that she needed and to wear a pair of latex gloves, to keep things clean. "Aa," he murmured as he went over to wear the gloves were located. Their shoulders brushed slightly as they passed each other, in order to get ready. Suddenly, the door opened, causing both Chuunin to look towards the direction of the creaking sound.

"Sakura-sensei," said a little girl, of no more than six or seven years old, in a quiet tone. The Chuunin let out a warm smile grace her lips as she beckoned for the little girl to go towards her. "Sakura-sensei, I feel sick," murmured the little girl as she clung onto the pink haired girl, like a little sister. Sakura whispered soothing words as she picked up the little girl, affectionately calling her 'Suki-chan' and setting her down on a metal table to sit. The girl's mother had entered the room quietly, nervous. The adult had eyed the Uchiha prodigy who merely nodded her way, as a sign of acknowledgement to her presence. "Sakura-sensei, will I be alright? I feel sick and Okaa-chan has been worried about me," asked Suki quietly, a look of both nervousness and shyness visible on her face.

"You'll be alright, Suki-chan, I promise you that," said Sakura as she patted the little girl's head, strands of Suki's brown hair peeking out between the teenager's long, slender fingers. The check-up went smoothly, Suki following everything that Sakura had instructed her to do. Suki's mother began talking about how Sakura was really the only medically trained person in all of Konoha that Suki was willing to see. Suki had a fear of going to the doctor's and Sakura was the only one to ever slowly cure that. The pink haired Chuunin blushed at what the adult was saying as she instructed Suki to lay down. Gathering chakra in her hands, Sakura began extracting the poison that was inside the little girl's body, placing the dangerous substance in a flask when she had finished.

Sasuke watched Sakura work hard with every patient that came in and out the door of her somewhat office. Each one who came in looked absolutely horrible, in pain because of the toxic substance that was within them. After the Chuunin had extracted the poison and had given them some antidote, each of a varying dosage. As each patient came in and out, Sakura seemed to forget Sasuke was even there. All her attention was focused on her patients, a warm, pleasant attitude radiating from her as she tried to calm them. With this, Sasuke had become fairly impressed as he lazily handed to her the things she needed. This was what she had been learning during the almost three years of his absence in Konoha.

It was probably almost noon when there were hardly any patients left in the hospital. The Godaime had arrived almost an hour after Sakura did, greatly easing the strain that was on the rest of the already exhausted staff. The pink haired Chuunin was currently slumped on a chair, tired. There were around five or six completely filled flasks of the poison that was within the system of so many people. Those who had been treated by the doctors were sent to the Medical Specialists for the extraction of the poison then sent back to a real doctor for any final check-ups that the shinobi medical staff had missed. A sleepy and tired look graced the face of his former teammate, with her having hardly any sleep, if at all.

"I had a feeling this would happen," commented Sakura softly, stretching her lithe limbs. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, silently prodding her to explain further. "Remember that stench last night?" she asked as she looked up at him. He could swear he could see tears welling in her eyes! With a slow nod, she continued. "I had a suspicion that it was from the food, yet, I did nothing to stop it," continued Sakura as the tears began to fall from her face, "I'm such a worthless Medical Specialist. I could have done something, but I didn't." Her body began to shiver with everything in her mind as the tears began to fall faster. Then, Sasuke did something he never would have for any person in the world, even if his life depended on it. He seized Sakura in a strong embrace and steadied her.

"No, no you're not worthless," he murmured as he buried his face into her hair. Sakura managed to grab onto him tighter as the tears continued to spill. "Don't you remember what the mother of Suki told you?" he whispered as he continued holding onto her. Sakura barely managed to shake her head, a strong feeling of guilt washing over her senses. "You were the only one who Suki was willing to see," began Sasuke as he remained stationary, "If you weren't a Medical Specialist, tell me, what would have happened to Suki if this scenario continued? She would be afraid of seeing a doctor. She would have fought everyone off even if she was suffering inside. Yet, because you were a Medical Specialist, she had gone to seek you for help." Sakura's sobbing had begun to subside, still holding onto Sasuke for support. "Now tell me, are you still worthless?" Sakura shook her head, encircling her arms around Sasuke in a friendly embrace. Damn I'm not acting like myself. I'm supposed to be cold and indifferent! But what's with her that makes me act this way!

Outside, a golden blonde woman was peering through the window, an amused look lingering in her tan brown eyes. A smile graced her lips as she watched the stoic Sasuke hold the fragile Sakura in his hold, careful to make sure he wouldn't crush her. A cherry blossom, after all, died so easily but with the gentlest of care and concern, it would live, radiating beauty from its pale colored petals. Turning around she began walking away from the room, a somewhat sad smile on her face. Sasuke's far too stubborn to admit to his feelings. When this is over, he'll act like nothing had happened at all. Sakura is still drowning in her feelings for him, even if she keeps saying she sees him as a friend and no more. When will either of them realize that they belong to each other? When will Sasuke realize that revenge is not all that? When will Sakura realize that seeing beyond what eyes can see isn't always ignoring the painfully obvious? "Shizune, do I have work to do in the office?" A dutiful 'hai' came from behind. "Tomorrow, I'll do them tomorrow. I'm much too drained from my work today." Another 'hai' resounded.

Tsuzuku…

And well what do you know, I'm actually finished writing down chapter eleven! I hope you didn't mind waiting until Sunday to get your PPV fix for the week.

And okay, I hoped I cleared everything with this chapter. No, Sakura wasn't sick/pregnant/etc. What she smelled was the stench of the food from the food stalls, hence causing this epidemic of food poisoning.

Here I go with answering your reviews once more!

animEvivvErz: It's fine. At least you're still reading PPV!

Sagitarious Devil: Thank you for your compliment! Although I have to disagree about this being the "best" Sasuke/Sakura fanfic out there. There are many fanfics that I consider better than the ones I write.

Phoe-chan: I was actually considering the apple-bobbing thing but that would have made the chapter far too long. Maybe, if I write a festival-themed one-shot, I'll write that down.

TriGemini: Yeah, unlike in CotHaS, Ino and Sakura are on good terms in PPV. PPV follows the animanga timeline, after all.

And that's it for this weekend!

I have a new fanfic idea, by the way. It spins off from the animanga, just like PPV and I've got everything basically set up but I haven't gotten down to writing the first chapter. Here's the summary and the story's title:

Title: For Convenience's Sake

Summary: Thrust into the world of marriage, family and commitment, they begin to get to know each other further only now. This is a marriage of convenience, more than love, because neither of them thought of becoming parents this early. Sasuke/Sakura.

Remember to join springpaperfan, a Livejournal community, if you have the time!

Stay tuned for next week's installment!

Next Chapter: Chapter Twelve – The Visit of a Daimyo

Chapter Preview: "It would be an honor to have you as my guide here in Konohagakure, Sakura-san," said the Daimyo smoothly, his hazel colored hair landing softly on his boyish face. A slight blush found its way to Sakura's face as she stammered her reply. Behind him, Sasuke was burning with rage. How dare he talk to his teammate in that manner! It's not like he was supposed to care at all but for some reason, he found himself doing so very much. "If I may take my leave from you now, honorable Godaime, I would like to look around the village already," said the young Daimyo with a flourish. Tsunade nodded and smiled, addressing him formally. "It's alright, you can call me Kouji," corrected the Daimyo as a charming smile found its way to his face, "I can hardly merit that much respect from the strongest shinobi in our land. I was just newly installed, after all."