FireLight Horrors
Chapter Title: Dressed to Kill
By lainey-bo-bainey
It was a standard Friday night like any other. And as naturally, someone once again, comes in late; causing the entire group to freeze their selves out in the woods at night just to wait until the missing person finally comes. That person for this week happens to be their certain pink-haired friend, who was running late and was still in school to run errands for the up-coming year-end events. Plus… mysteriously, the certain Uchiha still had not yet arrived, nor was he present the whole week for school.
No big deal, everyone thought and predicted for him to still be in his trip with his brother. They thought right, and both Uchihas were supposedly coming home tonight. The rest of the gang didn't quite expect for Sasuke to come for this week's firelight horrors, since once Sasuke comes home, he'd be tired from the trip. Once more, they were all right, at least in a part.
Both the Uchiha brothers were gonna come home tonight, but the part about Sasuke being tired if he comes home was uncertain. If ever he comes home.
"He's what?" shrieked a dreadfully-shocked Naruto.
"I'll explain later. So are you gonna come here or not?" Itachi asked from the other line; he was obviously serious, judging by the tone of his voice.
"Oh god… Crap… CRAP! What the hell happened!" Naruto demanded to know.
"Look! I don't know exactly what happened alright! Just shut up and listen! We're a few miles outside of the city; do you think you guys can come!"
"Fine! We'll be right there! But where is he now!"
"Uzumaki, what's going on?" Neji demanded; his eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. But Naruto ignored him, and went on listening to Itachi.
"He's right here with me. Someone had already called the ambulance. He's… I… I don't know… I really don't know…"
"Jeez Uzumaki!" Neji yelled and grabbed the phone from Naruto. "What's this all about?"
Itachi told him.
It took a while for that certain piece of information to sink in into Neji's mind. He closed his pearled-eyes in frustration… and within his mind, Itachi's voice kept repeating over and over again.
"He's been hit… he's been hit…"
It kept going on and on and on…
Sirens… there were sirens heard from the other line.
"What was that?" the Hyuuga inquired.
"Ambulance. Look, I really got to go… bye."
Then a dial tone.
Neji aggregately flipped Naruto's phone close and ran his fingers through his long brown hair in fraustration. "Why is this happening! God! This is so stupid!"
He stood there, swearing away as everyone just sat around him staring.
"What's wrong?" Ten-Ten asked since they were all still pretty clueless except for the Hyuuga and Naruto.
"Hinata, call Dad and tell him we need a ride just a few miles outside of town." He commanded trusting his phone over towards his cousin.
"Neji." Ten-Ten called out once more, finally getting his attention. "What's wrong?" she asked again.
"It's Sasuke… he's been hit…"
"He was what?" Shikamaru asked in surprise, and he jolted upright fromhis previous lazy position.
"Hit by a car. It was a hit and run. The man who hit Sasuke ran away. It was an accident." Neji explained.
"Itachi said something about a bike and that he flipped." Naruto piped in. "I don't know… I told him we're going to be there…"
Neji ran a hand through his brunette hair, frustrated. "Fine… we'll be there… my dad's gonna be able to give us a ride."
"Hey, wait! We can't leave! How about Sakura!" Ino pointed out.
"Then we'll call her!" Neji snapped. "Geez! Sasuke's about to die and you worry about some lost naïve girl?"
"Hey!" Ino yelled offensively. "Today's Sakura's birthday! C'mon guys, we all planned to go to the mall with her after she finishes with the yearbook!"
"Ino." Shikamaru called out, taking her attention. "We can't just go with Sakura and act like nothing's happening. If we don't tell her, she'll just be even more upset when she finds out."
"Ino, call Sakura and tell her to find a way to follow us." Neji told.
Ten-Ten stared at him, "You seem a little bit too worked-up."
Neji glared. "Sasuke's in serious condition and hell, people die in these kinds of accidents; and you're not worked up?"
Ten-Ten threw her hands up in the air, defensively. "Hey, chill. I just… never really thought he means to you that much… much to get you all panicky and freaked out."
Neji sighed and stared at Ten-Ten. "I hate him, I really do. But he's my friend. And when I was in need, he helped me. Now I'm the one who's gonna help him…or at least be there." Neji paused. "And if you think I'm worked-up, what do you think him…?" Neji asked, pointing his thumb towards Naruto, who was sitting on a rock and gripping his hair.
"Relax Naruto… it's gonna be fine." Hinata said.
"Stupid!" he yelled.
Neji glared.
"No! No! Not Hinata! Jeez!" Naruto defended. "Sasuke! He's so stupid! I can't believe this happened! I can't believe he let this happen!"
"Well, don't go blaming him; it's not his fault." Ino said, searching for a certain object, and noticed Shikamaru.
He did nothing. Unlike the two boys, he wasn't uptight or worked up. He clenched his fists and stared hardly upon the ground. "Hey…" the sound of Ino's voice broke him away from his thoughts and back to reality. He looked up to see Ino smiling gently. "I never really knew you guys meant so much to each other."
Shikamaru shrugged. "Just cuz we always verbally and physically fight and hurt each other doesn't mean we don't care." He paused. "We're still as close to each other as you girls are close to each other…the only difference is… we don't express that by shopping the whole day."
Ino smiled, forcedly. "It'll be fine."
"Like Neji said, people die in crashes like this. What if Sasuke was hit badly? What if he didn't make it to the hospital? What if he goes in a coma?"
"What if? Stop kidding around. Well what if I say that what if he dies? What if we arrive at the hospital and he's already gone? What if he's already gone now?"
That had startled Shikamaru although Ino just simple smiled; one that he easily caught by the corner if his eye.
"Look, if you're just gonna play 'what-ifs' then might as well be positive right? Like, what if he does make it. What if he'll be ok? What if he's not gone right now… what if Itachi was always there for him and he'll be ok tomorrow?"
Shikamaru smirked. "Alright, what do you want?"
"Your phone." She said snatching it from him. Before punching Sakura's numbers in it, she stopped and looked back at Shikamaru, "Relax, it'll be fine."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Can I get my phone back and I'll be the one who calls Sakura? Since it is my phone?" but was ignored by Ino.
"I'm going." A certain pink-haired being announced, as she headed out the door.
Ring!
Her phone rang just as she was outside the door. Reaching into her pocket jeans, Sakura picked up her phone, looked at her screen to see who was calling and answered the call.
"Shikamaru?"
"Sasuke!" shrieked a voice from the other line.
"Uh… no…this is Sakura." Sakura paused. "Why are you using Shikamaru's phone, Ino?"
"It doesn't matter right now!"
"Ok fine. Anyway, where do you guys wanna go tonight? I'm thinking the movies. No I know, that's what we did last year on my birthday. But it was fun wasn't it? I'm planning to go to the arcade after since Sasuke and Naruto like it there so much. Next, shopping. I got this debit card, loaded with cash; you'll love it Ino-…"
"Sakura! It's Sasuke!"
"He's on his way home with his brother, remember? I don't think he'll be able to come tonight. I was just talking to him actually. Ugh, he's such a jerk. I was telling him about my plans for tonight, and how much he's gonna miss the fun and he was just said like 'D-mn it!' and hanged up on me!"
"Sasuke' s in the hospital! He's been hit!"
For Sakura, it took a while for that certain piece of information to sink in. "W-what? What do you mean… what happened?" she managed to say in a faint voice.
"Not sure. Itachi said it was a hit and run. I don't know the whole story. Sasuke was in a bike or something, he flipped, I don't know!"
"You're kidding me… I was just talking- I mean, he just called me like, 5 minutes ago…"
"So! Tons of things could happen within five minutes. Like THIS." Ino paused, and got pissed with Sakura only giving her silence. "Sakura! You're brain is NOT functioning right now, make it work! You're supposed to be freaking out right now… like everyone else… and like you always do…"
Sakura thought for a moment. "Oh my gosh, Ino!" Sakura finally screamed.
"I know!" Ino screamed back, "We're gonna go there… we were thinking if you can a ride of your own since we're being driven by Hinata's uncle."
Sakura thought for a period of time, "I'll ask Sir Kakashi if he could. But wait, where!"
"Sasuke was rushed in a hospital somewhere just outside the city. They were on their way back and yeah… this occurred. I think the hospital's name is Konoha South or something. I've been there."
"Uh… Sir Kakashi probably knows where that is."
"Ok, bye. Hurry, alright? We're riding up the car now."
As Sakura hanged-up, she was already running across the halls back to the room where she was earlier. Reaching it, she burst in. "Sir Kakashi!"
Everyone that occupied in the faculty lounge turned to look at Sakura, excluding the certain person who she actually called; as he stayed there sitting, and reading his beloved book.
She ran up to him, "Sir Kakashi! I need a ride!"
He stared lazily upon her with his only unmasked eye, "Ok."
Sakura groaned. "You were supposed to ask why."
"Well, why bother. It's just a ride." The silver haired teacher shrugged.
"Sasuke was rushed in a hospital." Sakura hissed; and that seemed to have caught his attention since he dropped his book and fixed a look of intimidation upon Sakura.
"What!" he asked. "Sakura stop kidding around." he commanded seriously. Of course, Sasuke meant a lot to Kakashi too. He was like an uncle or another big brother for Sasuke who he can look up to.
"Not kidding! They were on the way here, stop to gas, bike, hit and run, flip. I don't know the whole story. I was hoping you can give me a ride." Sakura begged hopefully.
"All the way in Whistler!"
"No! They're in a hospital way out of the city. South Konoha. Ino and the others are already on their way there."
"How?"
"They were given a ride by Hinata's uncle… or is it Neji's Dad? Ugh, same thing! C'mon Sir Kakashi, please!"
"Ok! Ok! C'mon." He said taking his keys and heading outside.
It wasn't long until both Sakura and Kakashi arrived at the hospital, since he took a highway.
Sakura went to the receptionist asking for Uchiha Sasuke's number. The lady said a certain number, but also said he was in no condition for a visit.
Ignoring the comment, Sakura rushed in the elevator, along with Kakashi. Soon, they found their selves bursting out the elevator and into the fourth floor lobby, where Ino, Ten-Ten, Hinata, Naruto, Shikamaru and Neji sat together.
"Well!" Sakura asked, waiting for some kind of information.
"No clue, they wouldn't let us in." Shikamaru stated.
"'No one 18 and below are allowed inside'" Ino mimicked the doctor.
"Hey, Sasuke's below 18 and how come he's inside!" Naruto complained, whacked in the head by Shikamaru.
"Do us all a favour and don't speak."
Kakashi ran up pass behind Sakura and about to go pass the double doors when Neji called.
"Sir Kakashi? What are you doing here?"
"I gave Sakura a ride. And I'm gonna check up on Sasuke to see how he's doing."
"You're not allowed in." Naruto pointed out.
"Look, I know you guys think I look 18 or below. I can't argue with that cuz I do." He grinned inwardly but shook it away, thinking this was serious matter and he headed inside.
Sakura threw herself upon one of the couches and gave out a heavy sigh. "What now?"
Naruto sighed, "We wait."
"I don't want to wait." Sakura replied stubbornly.
There was a long moment of silence. No one spoke a word, and all that can be heard were the nurses' foot steps along the hallway; some even going back and forth, in and out the doubled-door that seemed to have lead into a big room. For Sakura's guess, she didn't think this was Sasuke's room. Room's in the hospital was usually not that big and normally in the higher floors.
It wasn't quite a long time, although for most of them it lasted long; the double doors swung open revealing Itachi with an exhausted and worried look on his face.
"Is he ok?" Sakura asked before he could even talk, and before anyone else could even ask the same question; she asked it first, like some reflex.
"I… I don't know." Itachi replied.
"Why don't you ever know?" Sakura complained.
"Because they never tell me anything. They just tell me to back-off." Itachi said, spitting out every word with bitterness in tone. "I don't know how he's doing, but Sasuke's still in surgery and-"
"Surgery!" Sakura asked in disbelief; with a will not to believe noticeable across her face, along with worry and pity in her eyes. It went the same with the others, only they didn't freak-out like Sakura as she screamed the question straight towards Itachi.
Itachi sighed, "Yeah…" he looked down. "I heard it's not big operation, and that maybe Sasuke was gonna make it after… but hey, that's what they're supposed to say right?" resentment upon his tone, he glared at the wall beside him. "They said maybe he was gonna make it… but that also means maybe he won't."
All Sakura could do was stare; she stared at Itachi who seemed hurt for a moment; he continued. "I was actually hoping for a nice vacation from university full of fights and arguments between Sasuke." He paused. "Now I'm here with a possibility of witnessing my brother's death." He said like spitting out the last words with despise and anger.
"Uh… Did you see Sir Kakashi? He went in." Sakura stuttered, trying to change the topic of death.
"Yeah… they're filling him up with a bunch info."
"Oh…um, didn't you call your parents?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah… but they obviously can't fly a thousand miles to be here from the other side of the world. It'll take at least 12 hours by plane. And obviously they can't get a plane ticket right away."
Sakura paused before asking. It made her uncomfortable that she was the only one asking these questions. "What exactly happened?"
"Once again… I don't exactly know." Itachi said. "My car was running low on fuel so we stopped by a gas station. I fuelled up the car, then Sasuke told me he'll be back and that he's gonna go buy some food at this fast-food restaurant across the street. He got his bike that was attached behind my car, and well… he rode it. I don't exactly know what happened. The next thing I know I was looking at my brother who was sprawled on the ground and his bike all crashed to pieces." He took a deep breath before continuing once more. "This lady told me that he was hit and that the man who had hit him ran away. Geez, I wanted to friggin' run after him. I dunno… I just didn't, I just ran to Sasuke. Some guy called an ambulance so yeah…"
"Oh." Was all Sakura could reply.
Itachi sighed. "I'm gonna go back in. You guys can just stay here for awhile." Itachi said and turned away. But before fully opened the double-doors, he halted and said, "I know you guys usually have your stories tonight. Just do it here, and keep your mind occupied. Ok? And I ordered you guys drinks and snacks from the cafeteria… it's gonna come soon." and left.
Sakura faced the others. "Why was I the last person to know about this?"
"Cuz you weren't there when Itachi called." Naruto replied.
"Oh."
Then there it was again. A moment of silence. A long moment of silence.
Their food came, just as Itachi had said so, and a staff had placed their food on the table they surrounded.
"So who goes tonight?" Ino asked so-suddenly.
"Me." Shikamaru stated. "Are we still gonna do our stories?"
"Well, we're here, might as well do it." Ino replied.
"Fine; well, tonight's story is titled 'Dressed to Kill'"
In the Story
One of the most – favoured stories and a legend a few years ago concerned a beautiful young girl in a white satin dress. It was one of those anecdotes which everybody swore had actually happened to his first cousin or next-door neighbor, and several narrators became very testy when they were informed that several other people's cousins had evidently undergone the same experience just a few weeks before.
At any rate, the legend maintained that a very lovely but poverty-stricken damsel was invited to a formal dance.
She was delighted, just as she heard the invitation.
It was her chance to enter a brand-new world of people and socialization. Who knew that some rich young man would fall in love with her and lift her out of her life in a box factory?
But there was one problem: she had nothing to where; she had no suitable dress to wear for such a great occasion. It startled her as that thought came across her mind.
Nothing to wear?
Surely she would not let such a little disaster ruin her evening and get to her way.
"Why don't you rent a costume for the evening?" suggested a friend.
Not having thought of this before, the girl became hopeful, and that very night went to a pawnshop near her home, where for a surprisingly reasonable sum she rented a beautiful white satin evening gown with all the accessories to match.
Miraculously, it fit her like a glove and gave her such radiance that upon her arrival at the party she created a minor sensation.
She smiled brightly, staring at the reflection before her. It was almost unbelievable to find such a dress like this last minute; especially along with different accessories to match it.
She was cut in on again and again, and as she whirled happily around the floor she felt that her luck indeed had changed for the better.
She danced, and whirled confidently, liking how her dress swayed with her in all directions. Many eyes were upon her, watching her dance gracefully.
Soon, however, she began to feel faint and nauseated.
She fought against a growing discomfort as long as possible, but finally stole out of the house with barely sufficient strength to stagger into a cab. She reached her home and crept up the stairs to her room.
Surprisingly exhausted for no reason, she threw herself onto her bed, broken-hearted that she wasn't able to stay for any longer.
And it was then — possibly in her delirium — that she heard a woman's voice whispering in her ear. It was harsh and bitter.
"Give me back my dress,"
It said.
"Give me back my dress! It belongs to... the dead..."
The next morning the lifeless body of the young girl was found stretched out on her bed.
The unusual circumstances led the coroner to order an autopsy. It was found the girl had been poisoned by embalming fluid which had entered her pores when she became overheated from dancing.
The pawnbroker was reluctant to admit that he knew where the dress had come from, but spoke out when he heard that the district attorney's office was involved.
It had been sold to him by an undertaker's assistant who had taken it from the body of a dead girl just before the casket was nailed down for the last time…
End of Story
"There you go…" Shikamaru stated.
"That was cool…" Ino commented and smiled.
Shikamaru sighed, "Yeah sure…"
Sakura stared at the scene before her. Everyone seemed to be saddened and the attempt to do their stories so as a result of being occupied did not work since everyone was already occupied… by Sasuke's mishap.
Everyone sat, slumped up on the couches, except Naruto, Hinata, and Ten-Ten chose to sit on the floor.
Normally, comments would fill the air every after a story. But now, no one was even talking. They all just stared concentrating upon nothing… a blank space of the floor.
And then there it was again.
Silence.
No one had dared to speak; the stillness was awkward; something that had set Sakura to speak.
"I kinda miss him." She whispered softly, and almost immediately felt all eyes upon her. "What? That's not an unusual way to feel in a time like now… right?"
Again, no one replied to her question but silence.
"This is taking a really long time." Sakura faintly said once again.
Only a heavy sigh from Ino was heard as she leaned back the couch. But that was it, nothing more.
That ticked Sakura off, "Ok, could someone break the silence here?" she asked exasperated.
"I seriously can't stand sitting here doing nothing." Shikamaru stated, and looked over at Sakura. "Is that enough?"
Sakura sighed and opened her mouth to speak but found that she couldn't continue since the doors, which they had all been hopefully waiting for to open up, swung open revealing a doctor.
No one said anything for a moment, they were all just staring.
"Uh… hi?" Sakura said, starting up a conversation with the doctor.
"Um… hello there. Are you all here for Uchiha Sasuke?" the doctor asked.
All nodded except for Sakura who replied, "Yeah…"
"Well, I am pleased to say that Sasuke's fine now." he chuckled. "That boy's though, I say. He was awake the whole time he was in the ambulance and didn't even shed a tear even after the impact he had. I guess his body had grown numb at that time."
"What was the surgery about?" Sakura asked. "Does he now have like, stitches and all that stuff?"
The Doctor shook his head lightly. "It wasn't a big operation. Just enough to close up his wounds. He's fine now; you can go see him upstairs where he's moved and resting. I'm not sure if he's awake though."
"Where's Itachi and Sir Kakashi?" again, Sakura was the one who had asked the question; and everyone else had remained silent.
"They're down at the third floor donating blood for Sasuke since he needs it. He had lost a lot of blood, actually; that was the reason he fainted just as the ambulance neared the hospital."
"Oh." At last, Sakura had nothing more questions to ask.
The Doctor smiled when Sakura was eventually speechless. "Feel free to go up stairs to Sasuke's room. It's in room 817, eighth floor."
They all slowly stood up, and gathered up their food with them. "Oh, and I forgot, what are your relation to Uchiha Sasuke? I'm assuming you are all friends to Sasuke? Or cousins?"
"Friends." Neji stated, arising.
As everyone got on their feet, Sakura faced the doctor once more. "Uh… when can he leave the hospital?"
"In about a week… maybe even sooner. That boy seems to heal fast." The doctor said and smirked when he noticed Sakura quiet down, nodding slightly.
She slowly took a sip from her drink, when the doctor suddenly asked. "What is your relationship with Sasuke?" Sakura paused half-way from drinking and looked up at the doctor. "His girlfriend?"
Sakura sputtered out her drink for the reason of shock. She hadn't really expected that coming. "Uh… no!" she flushed.
"Oh… ok then." The doctor smiled and turned to leave.
Sakura shrugged, and turned towards her friends, who were now staring strangely upon her. "What?"
Shikamaru smirked. "That was interesting…"
Sakura mocked a laugh as she eyed her pineapple-head friend, "Eheh… yeah, interesting… NOT."
"You so panicked at that question." Ino pointed out, stifling a laugh.
"I did not!" protested Sakura.
"Well, I like your shade of blush..." Ino grinned.
Sakura glared at her. "Shut up." and stomped past Ino.
They headed inside the elevator and waited until to took them up to the eighth floor. Initially, they all ran outside the elevator and shuffled around trying to find Sasuke's room.
Sakura was the first one who found it and swung the door open, not even bothering to think twice whether the injured Uchiha was asleep or not.
"Sasuke, Sasuke, are you ok?" Sakura called out and ran beside him.
She heard a grunt of pain as he turned around to face her.
That look. She didn't quite get it… she didn't get the way he stared at her.
His façade plastered a look of impassiveness but his eyes did not; for a single moment, the pink-head girl had caught surprise, curiosity, and hurt in his eyes.
"Hey…" he replied weakly.
Sakura's gaze roamed around Sasuke; certain parts of his arms were bandaged, and a few gashes were still visible. His forehead was wrapped with bandage too, and blood had stained through it, startling her even more. His face didn't hold that cocky look anymore, and instead, it showed disappointment, and maybe even physical pain since his face, as well, had contusion and cuts. Honestly, he looked like a wreck. He wasn't that strong and cool Uchiha anymore that can intimidate anyone with only his killer-glare. Now, he was helpless and seemed weak. But above all that, Sakura can't help but admit that he still looked like that attractive-jerk she sees everyday in her life. Although obviously, she wouldn't admit that out loud, so she simply said.
"You're a wreck." Sakura softly said, as she sat on the chair that she found beside his bed; as she leaned on the edge of the divan, her fingers tangled together as her chin rested on them and she tilted her head.
Sasuke smiled at the adorable scene before him before closing his eyes when he felt pain. "I'm not even gonna try and quarrel with you..."
"Yo Sasuke! You okay, man?" both Sasuke and Sakura faced towards where that voice came from, and saw Naruto standing by the door way with the others.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" he groaned.
"Dude, you're a wreck." Neji commented, scanning him with his eyes.
Sasuke smirked. "I know that."
"Uh… we'll leave." Ino said, at length, when she realized what sort of position both were in, and considering the proximity too. "C'mon…" she called out and pulled the rest of them outside and closed the door.
Sakura turned her attention back to the Uchiha and stared at him.
He gave a shrug, "Stop staring."
She shrugged back, "I dunno… it'll be quite an interesting show on TV, actually. 'Featuring tonight! Presenting… Sasuke and his once-handsome face now totally screwed up!'" Sakura grinned.
"'once handsome'? Gee thanks… I never really thought you thought of me that way…" Sasuke smiled.
"I didn't."
"What about now?"
Sakura cocked an eyebrow. "Well, most definitely not now."
Sasuke smiled, but said nothing; he leaned back against the prompt up pillows and closed his eyes for a rest. Sakura stared at him.
Feeling her gaze, he spoke up, "You seriously need to work on you staring problems."
"You're bleeding." She said, ignoring the comment."
"Well, of course… That's one of the reasons why I almost died."
"You almost died?" Sakura asked in surprise.
"I dunno… what does 50:50 mean? Itachi said I've reached down at that point."
"It means you were half-dead, half-alive." Sakura explained.
Sasuke smirked, "Sweet…"
Sakura glared at him, "If you didn't have a concussion right now, I would've just whacked you in head."
Sasuke smiled but faded quickly, and answered her by silence. He looked up towards the ceiling and remained an impassive look on his face.
Sakura slowly lifter her hand and touched one of his bruises on his cheek-bone, causing him to wince at her soft touch. "What are you doing?"
Sakura hesitated, before asking, "Did it hurt?"
"What did?" Sasuke impassively asked. "Since almost everything had pain in it."
"Th-the surgery…did it hurt?"
He shrugged once more, "It was nothing big. Just enough to close up my big gashes."
"That's what everyone says…" Sakura said. "It just seems so…'ouch' especially when they slice you to pieces-…"
"Sakura." Sasuke called out, cutting her short. "They did not slice me, okay? Escpecially not to pieces. They closed up my wounds… close not open. Relax, don't worry."
"I'm not worried!" she snapped. "Just curious."
"Sure you are…" he replied with sarcasm.
She shrugged once more and sat upon the chair that rested beside the Uchiha's bed. She watched him as he stared blankly upon the ceiling, -which was probably the most comfortable position for him now- and rested his head upon the prompt bunch of pillows.
Sakura continued to observe him. "Spill Pinky, I know you have something to say…"
Sakura sighed, and fought the small droplets of water from escaping her eyes as she stared at the young Uchiha before her, all wrecked and hurt and wounded. She sniffed. "You're so stupid."
Sasuke turned to look at her, and watched a tear or two fall down her pale cheeks. Even if it hurt, he urged himself to reach up her cheek and gently wipe the falling droplet, "And you're so lame." he chuckled, and stared at her. "Why are you crying?"
"Cuz you almost died on my birthday." Sakura had said loudly. "You're so careless; do you think this is some present I'd want to have? Of course not!"
"And that's the reason why I didn't die. Cuz I wanted to be here for your birthday." he grinned.
"Fine... yes, you are here... you're alive... but... you're all injured and wounded and... hurt." Sakura sniffed once more, another tear running down her face."You ruined my birthday..."
"I hate you so much right now…" she murmured, resting her head upon his one of his bruised arm that laid down on the bed.
Sasuke stared strangely at her, one she did not seem to notice since she had her head down, "Oh really? And why is that?"
"Is this what you call some perfect gift?" Sakura asked and stared back expressionless towards Sasuke. "You ruined my night…It's my birthday, remember? Well obviously you don't. Since you didn't even come home on the night of my birthday. The rest and I were planning to go out tonight. And you ruined it… I'm spending my birthday on a hospital. Sad…"
"I tried not to…"
"W-what do you, what do you mean… 'Tried not to'?" the Haruno beside him asked confused.
Sasuke shrugged, and that was all he did.
Sakura stared at him, once again out of pure curiosity, "What happened?"
"Long story."
"Make it short." Sakura demanded. "I need explanations. I was just talking to you right before the accident happened, I was so happy then you suddenly swore at me, then the next thing I know Ino was calling to tell me you're dead!"
"You're exaggerating."
"Well, I'll keep exaggerating until you tell me what happened." Sakura replied stubbornly. "Besides… I deserve some kind of explanation; the doctor thought out something wrong earlier about me being..." she faded out to silence.
Sasuke arched an eyebrow, "That you were my girl?" he smirked as he saw Sakura startled at his question. "Yeah, he asked me that too…"
"Explanations?" Sakura asked once more, attempting to avoid the last subject. "Naruto said you were hit by a parked car."
Sasuke glared, "I did not get hit by a parked car. I'm not that stupid."
"Or are you?"
He sighed, "Nothing happened, alright? I was on my bike. There was some freak who ran over me. and that's that. I bumped me head into on of the cars parked on the street." He explained. "Then nothing… there's no reason or whatever."
Sakura brought up her finger and poked him on his bandaged forehead, making him flinch at the pain, "You liar."
"Itachi and I stopped to fuel the car. Then across the street, a bit far from us, there was a gift shop-…"
"Gift shop? Itachi said you went away for buying fast food that was across the street."
"Sooo? Is it so bad to lie?" Sasuke asked. "Stop talking and let me finish. I lied to Itachi that I was going to buy food, simple. I got my bike detached from his car, since it was pretty far away by feet, and… I went there." Sasuke turned to Sakura, "Look, I swear, I remembered your birthday. That's the reason why I called you. How do you expect me to say happy birthday and I'm sorry I'm not there if you just started babbling away!"
"I was not babbling!" Sakura protested.
"I went to cross to the street and some psycho turned right then the next thing I knew I was face to face with a car in full speed. I stopped my bike but that didn't stop the car from hitting me; some said I my head bumped into one of the parked cars or something. I dunno… I lost my phone, and you were still babbling that time. The stupid thing was, I was conscious the whole time. And I felt it… the impact… it hurt like hell…"
Sakura stared. "What?" Sasuke asked. "You wanted the whole story… and that's the whole story."
"Why did you need to go to the gift shop anyway?" Sakura asked. "Itachi said you were in such a rush to get home."
"It's nothing… I was just tired."
"Spill."
"I have nothing to spill." He answered expressionless.
"Yes you do, spill."
"No."
"Spill…" Sakura put her hand and let her finger gently poke one of Sasuke's blood-stained bandage; even with such gentle press, Sasuke wince at the pressure upon his arm.
"Ow! Sakura!"
"Spill..."
"Sakura, it hurts! Stop!" he begged, trying to get away, but found that he couldn't since it'll only hurt him more.
Sakura pulled her finger away and stared at him one more time. "What was that about!" Sasuke demanded to know.
Sakura stared. "You didn't even slap me… or gave me a punch… you just like… laid there begged." She stated amused.
Sasuke only shrugged, and looked away.
Silence filled the air once more. Sasuke broke it by starting up a conversation first.
"I hate being like this you know?"
Sakura was startled by his voice which seemed to pop out of nowhere, since she already got used to the silence. "Uh…" she stuttered. "Being like what?"
"Like this… I hate being so helpless… It's like I'm so weak, and I'm good for nothing. I'm a wreck."
Sakura watched him speak. "You're not a wreck, you're not helpless and you're not weak… actually, yes you are… but hey, cheer up. At least you're not dead. I mean, if you died the day of my birthday… I'd… I swear I'd cry."
Sasuke smirked. "I'm not gonna take that personally say it's a sweet thing to tell since you cry over a bug that's stuck to your hair." Sakura pouted.
"I do not!"
"Yes you do."
"Ugh, you know what! Coming here is the most pointless thing I've ever done!"
"Funny… you're actually the first one that came and see me." Sasuke looked at her.
Sakura smiled. "Guess what… I'm even the last one that found out." She grinned. "And for my good deeds, I deserve a prize!"
"Ok." Sasuke stated, much to Sakura's surprise. "Go dig in my bag, it's probably somewhere there…"
Sakura stared at him, "I… I was only kidding, Sasuke."
"Well, I'm not." He stated. "Dig in my bag, it's somewhere there."
Sakura stood up, got hold of one of the backpacks placed on the counter and searched through it. "I can't see anything except used under wears and dirty socks. Gross!" Sakura exclaimed, backing up from the red and black backpack she had searched through.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, "That's Itachi's bag. The blue one's mine."
Sakura gave a faint 'oh' and went to the blue and black bag and searched it up.
"What am I looking for exactly?"
Sasuke grunted, as he shifted positions and back again, "A paper bag. Small."
Sakura searched through it a bit more, and found a small brown paper bag. She pulled it out and went back towards Sasuke to hand it to him. He got it, and opened it, as she went back to her seat beside the raven-haired Uchiha.
Then, all of a sudden, Sasuke got out a certain piece of object; with it's ring on one of his fingers, he shoved it in front of her face as he dangled, before her; it's glassed edges glistening against the light and it's blue and pink collusion of colour made it artsy-looking.
"Happy Birthday." He stated. "I wanted to wrap it up it the gift shop… but, I never got the chance." He paused and grinned. "Plus… I wanted to get home early to climb up your balcony and give this to you. Remember? Like before? When we awkwardly met?"
Sakura looked strangely at him, "Yeah I remember… your football flew all the way up my balcony, and you had to climb up to get it because you're so stupid and you could've asked permission and used the front door." Sakura paused. "I busted you. I got scared cuz some wacko was climbing up my room. I screamed. And I called 911." She grinned. "How can I not forget, your face was hilarious when you saw the cops coming."
Sasuke glared. "First of all, Itachi was the one who had completely now aim and threw it there, I climbed up because I thought no one lived there, since you had just moved a day before, and I was not scared of getting arrested." He shoved the keychain to Sakura once again. "Shut up and take it. I'm feeling my arms grow numb."
Sakura got it, and examined it. it had an image of both Sakura and Sasuke inside it: they both stood side by side with a background of snow, it was winter that time. On its other side, words were carved on neatly saying:
Side by Side
"As friends or even as enemies, we'll go through the good and the bad times in two ways:
either side-by-side or back-to-back"
(H.S. & U.S.)
-Uchiha Sasuke
"Awww… you had custom made!" Sakura exclaimed with a big smile plastered across her face as she jolted up and gave a hug to Sasuke, who struggled at the sudden act.
"OW! God, Sakura, get off!" he demanded pushing her off. "Sakura! Sakura! GET! OFF! It hurts! Ow! Ouch! Get off!"
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Sakura grinned. "Thanks, I love it."
Sasuke smirked, "I know. Happy Birthday" He hesitated before continuing. "I'm sorry for ruining your night…"
Sakura nodded, "You are so forgiven." And threw her arms around Sasuke again.
"What the hell-! Sakura! Get off! OW!"
!THE END!
but then again... let's just see howthe others outside are doing...
"Oh man... oh crap, this is big!" said a loud blonde, as he peered between the spaces of the slightly ajar door.
A certain pineapple head grunted at the sudden pressure on his foot, "God! Don't step on me, idiot!" he said as he attempted to move his foot away.
The white eyed dude rolled his eyes, "Shut up you two…"
"Men, they're like, totally hitting on each other…" the older Uchiha commented, as he joined them spying from outside Sasuke's room.
"I know..." the Nara boy agreed, "But hey, you never know; maybe they're just being… friendly, since one got hurt. Somehow they should care…I mean, they do have a history together."
"What does that mean?"
"They knew each other long way back." his pearled eyes watched the scene of the Uchiha and Haruno babbling and having their usual bicker. "Long time of knowing each other, equals, a tight connection."
"Well, actually, Sakura says they're just friends." the blond protested.
They heard a snicker and soon, their masked-man teacher appeared behind them, also peering through the ajar to Sasuke's room. "That's what every girl says until they realize they just made out with their 'best friend'"
"Whoa... this is big! No… this is huge. No this is like really, really… all right," he paused to think, "What's bigger than huge?"
The pineapple head replied, "Uh… this?"
"Totally…"
The REAL end!
that's it...hope you like it...
Thanks for the people who suggested an ending!
For others who still haven't... feel free to give me ideas!
Thanks a million!
-laineybobainey