DISCLAIMER: Naruto's not mine but this story came out of my head so yeah.

#03: Blackout

(Part II)

OOOOO

Afternoon classes went by so fast and I found myself walking groggily back to my house.

"I'm home."

"Welcome home, Sasu-chan!"

Mom greeted from the kitchen.

I walked straight to my room, changed into comfier clothes and took a light nap before mom calls for dinner.

"Sasu-chan! Come here! Dinner's ready!"

I blinked a few times to rid off the sleepiness I'm still feeling.

"Hn. Be there in a moment!"

I shouted from my room upstairs so she won't bother coming up to fetch me.

I sat for a moment and looked outside the window to our neighbor's house. The lights are currently off. She must be eating her dinner by now.

I ate my dinner just like I would every day and walked back to my room to get started with my homework.

Today's homework is a lot easier than I thought it would be so I had some time to spare before actually going to sleep.

RING! RING! RING!

"Yo Teme!"

Naruto yelled over the phone.

"Where were you a while ago? You've been missing lunch break with us! You owe me big time for keeping up with your unspoken excuses."

"Hn."

"Stop 'hn'ing me! By the way, are you done with your homework?"

"Hn."

"Thought so. Hey, it's still early! Let's go eat at Ichiraku's! Heard they have a promo of buy 1 take 1 until Valentine's!"

And there goes his love for ramen.

"Haven't you eaten your dinner already? And would you stop yelling. I can hear you clearly over the phone."

"Yup and I'm still hungry! So you wanna come, Teme?"

"No. I'm tired. Bye."

"Teme-!"

I ended his call even before he can say anything more. If I go with him, he'll surely make me pay for his unlimited order of big bowl ramen.

I remained seated on my swiveling chair waiting for time to pass as I watched the roof of my room, finding it fascinating all of a sudden.

Not noticing how I made it to the bed, lying and sleeping for real, I suddenly felt someone shaking me awake.

"Sasu-chan, wake up!"

Mom whispered loud enough to wake me up from my slumber.

I rubbed my eyes awake and propped my elbows up to support my stance.

"Kaasan?"

I asked puzzled at her concerned expression.

"The light's been off for about half an hour already, Sasu-chan. I'm worried about her. Could you go and check up on her if she's doing okay?"

I sat fully on my bed and yawned widely as I rubbed my eyes some more. I pulled open my bedside drawer to fetch the keys our neighbors left to check on their daughter from time to time.

Why mom left the keys to me? I don't know. She just gave it to me saying that I'd be the first one to notice if something's wrong with her since my room is parallel to hers.

With the neighbor's keys and flashlight at hand, I put on my shoes and went for the neighbor's house.

I unlocked the main door quietly so as not to startle her in case she's already sleeping. I walked up to her room and opened her bedroom door as quietly as possible.

As I looked at her lying body on her bed, I saw her shaking and heard her whimpering.

I walked towards her and sat myself beside her. Turning off the flashlight, I placed it on her bedside table and began patting her head soothingly hoping she'd soon stop shaking and just fall asleep.

"God, please let this be just my imagination…"

She's scared.

"Don't be scared. You're never alone."

I felt her froze upon hearing my voice and she began crying.

"Stop crying, Sakura."

She froze once again.

"W-Who are you? H-How did you know m-my name?"

All this time, I've been going in and out of her home without her knowing it was me, her neighbor, visiting her at night to turn off the lights so she can sleep better. Did her parents ever told her about giving their house keys to us?

"P-please don't hurt me!"

I shook my head at their failure to notify their daughter about the arrangement.

"I'm sorry. I won't hurt you. Just… just sleep now, okay?"

I shifted myself in to lying right beside her, intending to stay with her until she falls asleep or until the lights come back, which I doubt will happen in the next few hours.

Without asking for permission, I shared the pillow she was resting her head on and pulled her slightly into an embrace while being covered by a very thick blanket.

It's been a long time since I comforted this girl beside me. We've been friends since we started walking. She's a few months older than I am and she protects me from older bullies who doesn't have anything good to do in life. I, on the other hand, protect her from bitches who makes fun of her naturally pink hair.

We were so close back when we were younger but for unknown reasons, we just stopped talking. I promised her that I'll protect her as her best friend but being unable to talk to her just like we do in the past, I was forced to just watch her from a distance and keep her away from bitches and bullies.

"P-please don't hurt me…"

I heard her plead once more. I sighed at my recollection of our strained relationship.

"I won't. Sleep now, Sakura."

Despite the thickness of her blanket, I feel her beginning to relax in my embrace. As soon as I heard her even breathing, I kissed her good night and whispered:

"Sweet dreams, Sakura."