Light Shaded Dream
Chapter 15 – Recovery
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-:-
Sakura awoke in the morning to find herself alone on the cold floor, the sun's spring warmth barely penetrating through the cave walls. She yawned, and got up from the floor, and walked over to the entrance. The spring freshness intrigued her. The cave was located in the midst of a small forest and groves, the environment bringing in the placid feeling of safety. Sakura left the shelter, and began to wander into a grove. This grove particularly intrigued her. It was of an alien tree to her; its bark dark and buds showing on the branches. Unknowingly, she was touching her favorite tree, the one that had given her the name. Somehow, it gave her a feeling of despair that she had swallowed up and hidden away. Hearing the echoes of water resound through her ears, she began to follow the sound, taking in the spring air around her. Reaching a steady river, she saw Sasuke sitting inside, seemingly lost in thought. Blushing at the sight of his well-toned muscles, she began to turn and return to the cave, but was stopped.
"It's okay. You can stay if you want, Sakura."
Sakura swallowed her fear and embarrassment and walked towards him. Taking off her sandals, she dipped her feet in the cold water. It felt good; it was soothing her sore muscles and cleansing her of her confusion.
"I'm...sorry, Sasuke-kun..." She whispered.
Sasuke looked at her from the corner of his eye, and smirked.
"It's fine. By the way, what's with calling me 'Sasuke-kun' all of a sudden?" He asked.
Sakura blushed.
"I...don't know. The words unknowingly slip out of my mouth. Like it's a habit of mine..."
Sasuke nodded.
"I see. Do you ever wonder about what you used to be?" He silently asked.
Sakura looked at him, and closed her eyes, breathing in the serenity around her. A smile formed on her lips, and she slowly nodded.
"Of course. I want to know...why I get these feelings..." She whispered.
"I see."
Sakura nodded, and swallowed.
"But...I've been getting these weird dreams. Like, they're my past. Even...you were in it. I don't understand. How have you known me, Sasuke-kun? Was I...important to you?" She whispered.
Sasuke winced, and looked at her. A small upward curve formed on his lips, and he stared into her emerald eyes.
"Your dreams are probably your memories slowly flooding to you. Don't worry, in time...you'll probably remember again. Even if an event causes you to remember, or even if it's the last dream...you'll probably remember again. You were my teammate, once. Then, I left for power, and we met again when you were sent on a mission with the old squads to retrieve me. ...Yes...you are important to me," Sasuke said, saying the last few words very, very silently.
Sakura slowly nodded, and her body snapped upright as her eyes widened. Something was flashing before her eyes...
-:- Memory -:-
Nighttime fell over the Village of the Sound. Sakura's squad had long since retired to sleep in their beds, tired from their day's work of patrolling the area. Sasuke and Sakura stood next to each other, standing in front of the only cherry blossom orchard in the whole village. The stars shone above them overhead, and they enjoyed the tranquility of the night. Their fingers were laced together; their hands locked with each other.
"Sasuke-kun..." She whispered.
Sasuke looked at her crestfallen form, and silently acknowledged her to continue.
"Promise...that you won't die fulfilling your goals..."
He smiled at her, and nodded.
"I promise."
Sakura closed her eyes and smiled, breathing in the fresh air. She could accept his departure now; she knew he would never break his promise to her. Her eyes opened with a new glint, fireflies adding a beautiful glint in her emerald orbs. Sasuke loved seeing this sight; it was too beautiful and goddess-like to ever forget.
"I need to go. Orochimaru will probably kill me when I show up. Hopefully, he's still weak, and I can try to..." Sasuke said.
Sakura nodded.
"Good luck," She whispered.
Tears were filling her eyes again, but this time she was able to hold them off longer. Sasuke advanced towards her, and the gap between them disappeared, the two of them locked into a chaste, passionate kiss. This time, Sakura's tears fell, full of happiness and sorrow. She pulled back, and smiled at her beloved.
"Good bye, Sasuke-kun," She said.
"'Till later, Sakura..." He whispered.
He gave her one last peck on the lips, smiled, and turned to walk away. Their hands slowly slid apart, and Sakura was left staring at his retreating form. She smiled in the darkness, the fireflies slowly moving away.
"Till then, Sasuke-kun," She whispered back.
-:- End Memory -:-
Sakura fell on her back, her eyes closed. She was still conscious, but her strength seemed to be temporarily drained from her. She felt being picked up, and it felt like she was flying. Instinctively knowing who was carrying her, she wrapped her arms around her neck for support, and smiled.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun..." She whispered.
Everything went black.
-:-
Sakura awoke, as the sun was about to set. She noticed Sasuke at the mouth of the cave, staring off into the distance. Rubbing her temples as if she had just experienced a major migraine, she stood up, and made her way to sit next to him. Noticing her presence, Sasuke turned around, and smiled, welcoming her to sit next to him. She nodded, and sat down, looking off at the orange-hued sky.
"It's beautiful, Sasuke-kun..." She whispered.
Sasuke looked at her, and smiled.
"You know what's more beautiful than the sunset, Sakura?" He asked.
Sakura shifted her gaze from the scenery, and looked at Sasuke.
"What?"
Sasuke looked into her emerald orbs, and smiled once more.
"Cherry blossoms. They live short lives, but they're beautiful every single second they live. They're fragile, but strong too. You have to take care of them, or else they'll wither away."
"Oh. I wonder how the cherry blossoms look..." She whispered.
Sasuke put his hand in his pocket, feeling for something. Finding it, he gently pulled out the same cherry blossom, and handed it to her.
"Here. I know it's withered away and bloody...but it was important to you once."
Sakura stared at it, and was flooded with images flashing through her mind as her hand made contact with the withered flower.
-:- Memory -:-
Her mind did not know where her body was taking her. She just blindly followed herself until she reached the gates. There she found her crush – her love, with his back turned to her, ready to part. She ran to him, and he turned around. She found the surprise in his eyes, and realized that something was wrong. She did everything she could do to stop him, but to no avail. His eyes searched her one last time, and he reappeared behind her.
"Thank you," He muttered.
He hit her; knocked her senseless. He placed her on a bench, where she lay there, 'slumbering' peacefully like the angel he thought she was. He held a cherry blossom in his hand; he kept this blossom with him always. He kissed its petals and placed it in her palm, and closed her hand, making sure she did not lose the blossom. He turned and left, leaving his precious blossom behind.
-:-
Sakura looked at the delicate flower in her hand, and smiled. She had never known where it had come from, but deep inside, her heart was telling her it was part of the one she dearly loved. She had since followed her heart, and there she was, holding the delicate flower in her palm. Putting it back to its place on the dresser, she changed into her nightclothes, and went to bed, resting for the mission that lay ahead of her.
-:- End Memory -:-
Sakura held the blossom in her hands, and smiled. It gave her a feeling of need and despair, but she knew she would be able to overcome the fear and the despair as long as he was with her. Gently keeping it in her palm, she smiled.
"I didn't know you picked it up..." She whispered.
Sasuke looked away, embarrassed, and gazed at the almost-invisible sun.
"Hn..."
Sakura laughed, and playfully punched him.
"Don't make that a habit, Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke laughed, and Sakura followed. Her childish antics would never be forgotten.
"I won't."
He smiled, and Sakura's world remained lit, even though the sun was invisible.
-:-
Pretty short chapter, I think. Anywho, if you're wondering why they haven't returned to Konoha yet...it'll be mentioned in the next chapter. (: