Chapter Thirteen: Waiting.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto… and probably never will.

In Reply to Shashuko the Paisley Maiden:

Sasuke promised Manami that he would be alright, like, he wouldn't die. XD

Manami's Point of View

Three months.

Three months… and Uchiha Sasuke had woken up.

I was sitting there in the hospital, in Sasuke's room, like every afternoon, reading one of Jiraiya's novels.

Weird. I know.

I couldn't help it. There was nothing else to read… And I gotta admit, those books weren't as bad as I thought they would be.

After a while, I put the book down on the foot of the Uchiha's bed.

I opened the window, letting the cool breeze set in. The cherry blossoms were in bloom, and I brushed a soft pink petal out of my hair.

That was when I heard a low groan.

My eyes widened, and I quickly turned around.

"Sasuke?" I murmured.

Another groan.

I ran over to his bedside and held his arm. "Sasuke? Sasuke!"

His breathing became quick, his head turning from left to right a few times.

His eyes slowly opened.

"Manami?" His hoarse voice whispered.

"Sasuke! Oh my God, Sasuke!" I cried. Literally.

I quickly helped him sit up and hugged him tightly.

"Manami… Can't… breathe," He struggled.

I let him go. "I'm sorry,"

"How long was I out for?" Sasuke asked.

"…Three months," I replied silently.

"Three months?" He repeated.

I nodded, looking at my lap.

"Well it's no wonder you hugged me so tightly," Sasuke smirked.

A small smile spread across my face.

Sasuke's hand lifted and wiped away my salty tears away with his thumb gently. His face was serious. I held his hand with mine.

"Manami," He mumbled.

"I missed you so much," I whimpered in his palm.

"I did too. I wanted to wake up. I really did," He said back.

"Sasuke…" I spoke before wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him like there was no tomorrow. He wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing me closer.

But of all times, really… Naruto and Sakura barged in saying: "Manami-chan! We got some more flowers for Sa— OH MY GOD!"

I let go of Sasuke and turned around. "Naruto-kun! Sakura! Sasuke's awake! He's awake!"

"And the first thing you did was kiss him?" Naruto questioned.

"S-Shut up," I glared.

"Naruto, Sakura. Long time no see," Sasuke greeted, smirking, still holding my waist.

"Heh, we've been seeing a lot of you, Sasuke. We came here everyday to see how Manami was doing, if she needed any company," Naruto explained, chuckling.

"Manami stayed here everyday?" Sasuke asked no one in particular. He looked at me. "You stayed here everyday?"

"Yeah…" I nodded.

"For three months? You really do love me, huh?" Sasuke had a smug smile spread all over his handsome face.

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I looked away. "I do love you,"

"Then look at me," He whispered in my ear.

I hesitated, but I felt his thumb and index finger on my chin, forcefully, but gently turning my head towards him. Lips just centimeters away, I couldn't help but kiss him. And thankfully, he kissed back.

"Oh God, you two, get a room!" Naruto complained.

Sasuke sadly let go of the kiss and looked at Naruto. "We were in a room but you came inside,"

"We only came here to drop flowers for you, Sasuke-teme," Naruto said.

"Sorry, Sasuke-kun, we'll leave now, have a good afternoon! We'll tell everyone in Konoha about Sasuke's awakening!" Sakura smiled, dragging Naruto by the ear outside.

"They're going to tell everyone I'm awake?" Sasuke muttered.

I chuckled. "It's for the best, don't you think? That they all know at once instead of not knowing at all,"

"If you say so," Sasuke mumbled, kissing my neck delicately.

"Sasuke…" I whispered.

He continued what he was doing, and before I blinked, I was the one lying on the bed, with the Uchiha on top of me.

Sasuke smirked. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this,"

"But Sas—"

It was too late. He was already embracing me with kisses.

But really… to be interrupted twice in a row…

"MANAMI, I HEARD SASUKE WAS AWA— OH MY GOD, SASUKE! GET OFF MY SISTER!" Neji screamed.

"ONII-CHAN!" I yelped.

"Uwah~ looks like we came in at a bad time…" I saw Tenten's head pop up from behind Neji.

"Tenten?!" I yelped once more.

"Hey there, Manami-chan!" She smiled.

"H-Hi?" I replied back.

Sasuke slowly got off of me and turned to somewhat glare at my brother.

"We were busy, Neji," Sasuke muttered.

"Dude, you were all over my sister as soon as you wake up! At least show some consideration for the people who are coming here to see that you're awake, i.e. Tenten and I," Neji said.

"Thank you for coming to see that I'm awake. You can leave now," Sasuke bluntly said.

Neji scowled. "Listen, just because you've been in a coma for three months, does not mean that you have to treat us so selfishly!"

I sighed. "Neji-nii…"

"Neji," Sasuke began.

Here we go. They're going to start fighting again, huh? I thought to myself.

"I just want to spend as much time as I have right now with your little sister," He explained calmly.

My big brother froze for a second and then relaxed.

"You could've said so in the first place," Neji muttered.

I sighed, closing my eyes. "Sheesh… Getting all worked up for nothing…"

"So uh, we'll just leave now," Tenten smiled.

"Oh, okay. Bye, bye Neji-nii," I waved. "Bye, bye Tenten,"

"See you," Tenten said quickly before dragging Neji outside.

"Tenten! What are you doing! My little sister's inside that room with that… guy and it's not… safe!" I heard Neji protest.

"Neji, give it a rest. They obviously love each other… and isn't it fine to leave alone together?" Tenten asked.

"Yeah, but still…" Neji mumbled.

"Sometimes I wished you would show a bit more affection," Tenten whispered.

I could hear Neji's small gasp, barely.

"Tenten, I'm sorry. I… I love you and you know that. I just… I didn't think that you were the type who wanted to be all cuddly and such," Neji spoke quietly.

Tenten giggled. "I see. Well, Mr. Hyuga, now you know that it's alright to kiss your girlfriend in public more,"

I heard a tiny pecking sound and their footsteps faded away.

I looked at Sasuke and he was looking outside the window wistfully, full of melancholy.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He sighed. "It really has been a long time, huh?"

"Yeah… It has," I replied.

"I'm sorry," Sasuke mumbled.

"W-What? For what? You… You didn't do anything wrong!" I argued.

"I left you alone for three months, Manami. I'm so sorry for leaving you like that," He said.

"That wasn't your fault! Orochimaru was the one who began fighting!"

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Orochimaru… What happened to him? Is he still alive? I should've used more force on that bastard," He clenched his fist and began to stand up, only wincing at the pain in his right hip.

I placed my hand on his shoulder carefully.

"Please, don't strain yourself," I said. "Orochimaru… He's dead. There was no danger in Konoha while you were in a coma, and when you almost got knocked out, Orochimaru's chakra… and his energy… His heartbeat… They were gone,"

He sighed. "Are you sure?"

"99% sure. All I need is the confirmation from one of his allies… Like Kabuto," I mumbled.

"What if they do that thing like that lady did to Gaara? What if someone transfers their life to Orochimaru?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm sure Kabuto, Suigetsu and Karin wouldn't be able to transfer their lives. They just don't have the skill, and… Elder Chiyo was specialized in that jutsu. I'm sure she's the only one who could do it," I answered.

"And Jugo? What about him? Could he transfer his life?" He asked once more.

"Jugo? Who's that? Another ally of Orochimaru?" I questioned back.

"No… He probably wouldn't be able to. If Kabuto can't then no one else can," Sasuke answered his own question. He looked at me again. "Yeah, he's part of Team Hebi. It's weird how we didn't see him there at the fight,"

"I see… Anyway, how are you feeling?"

"Not bad. My right hip is hurting a bit, but that's probably from sleeping in an awkward position. Other than that, I'm perfectly fine. And you? How are you feeling…? Right now?"

"Me?" I was taken by surprise. "Oh, uhm, I'm fine. I'm good. No… I'm relieved. Happy to see that you're awake. I couldn't bear not having a normal conversation with you anymore," I replied.

"Normal conversation?"

"Well… Uh… Never mind,"

"Tell me,"

"N-No. It's embarrassing," I began to blush again.

His fingertips slowly traced the outline of my jaw and he leaned in slowly to gently kiss my neck. His hot breath was really, just wonderful. His soft kisses traced up to the corner of my lips… Then he stopped.

"Tell me now, or I won't go any further,"

"Eh? Why?!"

"Tell me and I'll continue," He smirked.

Ohh, he's good. That sly devil. I thought.

"W-Well… While you were unconscious, I tended to talk to you. Even if you never replied,"

"What things did you say to me?"

"Uh… Just stuff like…" I was getting nervous because I finally realized how embarrassing the things I said were. "'I hope you're getting well,' or 'Please wake up soon,' and…"

"And…?"

"'I love you,'"

Sasuke's face was from teasing to realization. His mouth was slightly open, and then his lips turned into this beautiful smile that I'd loved.

"Manami…" He began.

"I know, I know. It's embarrassing, and totally cheesy. Sorry about that," I apologized.

"Don't be," He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear delicately. "I'm so happy to hear those words again,"

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I love you," I repeated.

"I love you too," He said.

Those four words made me ecstatic.

"I love you. So much," I divulged.

-x-x-x-x-

"Are you sure you want to go out? I mean, you just woke up, and I don't want you getting hurt," I mumbled.

Sasuke had decided that he'd wanted to go outside. I was against it, but it was obvious that he couldn't get seriously hurt.

"It's fine. I haven't seen the outside world for a while, so I'd think its best to get some fresh air,"

"Just uh… Be careful, please,"

He chuckled and patted my head. "I'm not as fragile as you think I am,"

I sighed in agreement and we both walked down the stairs, hand in hand.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked him.

"Anywhere with you," He answered casually.

I punched him on the shoulder. Lightly. "Stop being such a romantic, you don't have to try on me,"

"Oh? So why are your cheeks all red?" He smirked, tracing my burning cheeks.

"Sh-Shut up!" I snapped as I pushed away his hand.

Sasuke chuckled quietly and continued walking along beside me.

"Do you want to… have a small date while we're out?" He asked a little too casually.

I glanced at him and he had his hands in his pockets and he wasn't making eye contact with me. You could easily spot the small tint on red on his cheeks.

"Hm…? Oh, well I think I might be busy… You know… Doing stuff," I answered, returning back the casual-ness.

He looked at me then. "You serious?"

I laughed and did my 'peace' sign. "Only joking!"

Sasuke chuckled and backed me against a nearby tree.

"Hey! Be careful, you don't want to get hurt again," I scolded.

He only smirked and kissed my neck.

"H-Hey! People will see!!" I stuttered, trying my best to ignore the heat on my cheeks.

"So what?" Sasuke murmured into my skin.

"Aren't you embarrassed?!"

"No,"

"You're so… strange,"

I felt his lips morph into a smile. "That's probably one of the things you love about me,"

"S-Shut up! And… Get off me,"

Sasuke obeyed and lifted himself off and I looked back at the hospital.

The nurses were watching.

As soon as they saw me look at them, half of them scurried away and the other half waved frantically at me, blushing and grinning at the same time.

I waved back nervously and then turned to punch Sasuke on the shoulder. Again.

"Sasuke! The nurses were watching us… no, YOU kiss me!" I blushed.

"Well, I'm sure they had a good show," He shrugged.

"It's embarrassing!" I argued.

"Are you embarrassed of me kissing you?" Sasuke asked, serious now.

"N-No… It's just… I don't like kissing so much in public. It's a weird feeling to have people watch us all the time. Don't get me wrong, Sasuke, I love kissing you. When I do, it feels like heaven and…"

"You're blabbering," Sasuke pointed out.

"Sorry…" I apologized.

He brought my face to his chest and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"I'm glad you feel that way," He whispered.

I smiled. "I'm glad too,"

"Manami-oneesan!" I heard a gentle but loud voice yell.

"Hinata-sama?" I looked ahead and saw the pale girl's purple hair.

She reached me, out of breath. "Manami…oneesan,"

"What's wrong?" I asked feeling slightly concerned.

"This is bad…" Hinata mumbled to herself. "Bad news, such bad, bad news…"

"What? Why? What's wrong, Hinata-sama! You're shaking…" I began getting worried.

"It's my father…" She whispered.

"What about your father?" I asked. "Did he get hurt?"

"No! H-He's arranging a marriage… for me and Sasuke!"

Sorry for the late chapter and such, blah blah blah ... XD ZOMGOD CLIFFY ! Happy New Year everyone! Yosh, time to continue writing Bad Memories to Good. NOW, don't start complaining about how these chapters are coming in heaps late DX Amazingly enough, I have a life to take care of, such as cosplaying purposes, to going out with my friends, since it's the holidays... SO PLEASETAKE THAT IN ! Other than that, I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter... I tried to put more fluffiness / smut in , since Sasue and Manami haven't had a lot of ' action ' going on , and I don't mean the type where they fight Orochimaru XDD I reckon this is my favourite fanfiction to write, other than My Double Life XD

Oh, and PRETTY PLEASE REVIEW! WITH A CHERRY ON TOP!