Chapter 14: Recovery
Her vision was blurred at first. Slowly it recovered to it's normality. She felt cold. The ground around her was wet. Her hair stuck to her head. Her head! It hurt worse than the rest of her. Like it had been hit by a log or something.
Sakura sat up to view her surroundings. It was dark. There was stone all around her. She touched it. The stone was smooth and cool. Her head looked towards a light in front of her. 'A cave!' Now it made sense. But how did she get here?
"Kakashi-sensei! Naruto! Kawada-san!" she yelled out towards the entrance. No reply came. 'Keep calm, don't panic. Go over what has happened.' Sakura remebered the water, the river!- 'Okay good,' then Naruto turned to her, then pain, darkness. That wasn't all. A touch, a warmth, then... then... then what! Nothing. Now she was here. But how?
"Maybe they're outside," Sakura whispered to herself. She stood up as best as she could. Her head in terrible pain and her legs and arms were sore from the trip down the river.
Her feet were a bit wobbley as well. She slowly made her way towards the sun. When she got to the entrance she stretched and then leaned against the edge. That's when she wanted to know where she was.
The cave was located on a cliff. The ground had to be at least 30 meters down. But the cliff was on a slope. One false move and you would be tumbling to your death. Being a shinobi, she should be use to heights from all the jumping around they do. But this was different. She was weak and in a forgein place.
Sakura sat down. The stone outside was warm and comfortable. All she could do now was wait.
So she did. She waited and waited. When she came out, the sun was just rising. Now it was right above her. No one had come. But surely she didn't climb up here herself and fall asleep. No, someone had carried her, but who?
That was answered when something was dropped beside her and a voice said, "So, how do you feel?"
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Naruto opened his eyes. 'Was it all a dream?' He sat up, not a good idea. His back hurt like hell. 'What happened exactly?' Naruto lay there staring up at the ceiling. It was an ordinary ceiling. Tiles and long lights streaming across it.
Birds chirped outside. Just by the feel of it, it seemed like mid afternoon. 'Am I back in Konoha? Yes, this is the hospital. But what about Sakura-chan?' All he did was lay there and wait for somone to come. Lucky him someone did come.
Tsunade opened his door. She put her hands on her hips and sighed, "Look what you did. What happened exactly?" Naruto turned his head. Even that was hard to do.
"What do you mean? A lot happened, or are you just asking how I got this way."
"How did you get this way? I can get the rest later."
"Well didn't Kakashi-sensei tell you?"
"He can't. He's still recovering from mass chakra depletion. Kakashi used a lot. I want to know why."
Naruto lay silent for a minute. Not that he didn't want to answer, he just needed to recall the events. "Ok, here's what happened. Sakura-chan and I were swimming. I got out but Sakura-chan stayed in for a few moments. Then as she was getting out, a stray log hit her. Next thing I know Kakashi-sensei dives under water. But he comes up without Sakura-chan. Then he jumps off a cliff. Sliding down the side in order to control his speed. But I turn around before I can see what happens," Naruto stretches his neck. "So I decide to follow, by sliding down the cliff. But I go too fast and hit a large rock. Next thing I know, I'm on my back in pain."
Tsunade nodded her head. 'If the river had a fast current, then Kakashi would have to use chakra to stay still. Sliding down the cliff wouldn't have used up too much chakra. Maybe it's the fact that Naruto came in on a handmade stretcher. Naruto, thinking he can do what his sensei can just by looking.' "Well Naruto thank you. This will help us treat Kakashi. Oh, don't worry, you'll be healed in a day or two. Your ankles were spraned and you had a cracked rib. The soreness is all that's left."
She went to the door. Before she could open it, Naruto had one more question to ask. "Granny-Tsunade, what about Sakura-chan?"
Tsunade stopped. There was an eery silence in the room. Finally, without looking at Naruto, she answered, "Our search parties haven't found her yet."
Naruto sat up this time. Even though it hurt. He sat there, she stood still. Naruto laid his hands in his lap. "Then there's still hope in finding her alive." Tsunade closed her eyes. Naruto wouldn't give up on a friend so easily. She managed a smile and left the room. Leaving Naruto with questions no one could answer.
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Sakura looked up. It was him! 'But why?' she thought while reaching for a kunai. But her weapons pack was gone! This wasn't good.
Haku just stood there. His face in the sun. "I'm going to hurt you. Here," he pointed to what he dropped, " Have some fruit. these trees are so far in, they grow plenty of them." There was a cloth that had come untied. Various fruits layed on top of it. Sakura picked up an apple and bit into it. It was a lot crunchier and juicier than she would imagine.
"It's good. Arigato," 'Wait this was the person that tried to kill Naruto and Kakashi-sensei! Why the change of character?' "What are you up to?" Haku looked at her. His face full of joy, even though he wasn't smiling.
"I'm trying to help you."
"Yes, but why?''
"Because you needed help. I couldn't let you drown could I?"
Sakura thought about it for a moment, "Yes, could of. But you didn't. Why?"
"You're full of questions. I'll tell you why. Because you didn't deserve to die. Your still needed in this world. You have family, friends. All my family is dead, my only friend is dead." Haku sat next to her on the stone.
Sakura felt pity for the boy. "No, you have a friend who's alive."
This caught Haku's attention. "Who?"
"Nakamuru. She really cared for you. Didn't she?" The memories of their goodbye came to Haku's mind. She had cried when Haku left. Nakamuru had hugged him. She cared about him. "I could be your friend as well."
Haku turned back to her. 'What does she mean?' "Why?"
"Because you saved my life," Sakura ate more of the apple. "That's reason enough. But I can't be friends with you if you keep attacking my sensei and Naruto." The apple was nothing but a core left, she chucked it over the ledge and watched as it rolled down the hill.
Haku was still silent. The sun was warming their faces. "I have to avenge Zabuza. Naruto and-"
"Stop it! Now listen to me. Naruto and Kakashi-sensei did not, I'll repeat, did NOT kill Zabuza! After Kakashi-sensei thought he killed you, they continued fighting. But then Gato's men showed up. That's when Zabuza avenged you! Okay. It's Gato's fault for Zabuza's death. But Gato's dead now. So stop with this vengence nonsense before it tears you apart," she whispered the last part, "Just like Sasuke-kun."
They sat there. Haku was thinking about what she had said. How many times did he refuse to listen to the truth? A single tear rolled down Haku's face. His heart was recovering from all the hate he had felt towards Naruto and Kakashi. All the pain he had caused them. Why hadn't he listened earlier.
"Arigato, Sakura." Haku managed a smile. Sakura smiled as well, happy that someone finally got through to him.
She held out her hand to him, "Friends?"
Haku grabbed her hand,"Friends."
"Good," Sakura stood up, "then let's go to the village. I bet they're worried about me. Now, how do we get down?" Haku stood up and pulled her arm. Dragging her into the cave.
"This way, I found a secret hallway that leads to the base of this cliff. Come, I'll show you." He lead her into the cave. At the back was a small knotch in the wall. Haku stuck two fingers into it and pulled. A door slid open, revealing a dark hallway lit by torches. The walls were of stone, and a series of small steps ran down the corridor.
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Okay, I hope you like this one. R&R! It's important.
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