Miss Trouble Magnet
Chapter 13:
I slowly opened my eyes, greeted once again with the despised white walls of the hospital. I realized how irregular my breathing was at the moment, and I knew it was because of the pain in my throat. I had two annoying tubes stuck up my nostrils and had many patches attached to my skin. I heard my heart monitor beeping to the rhythm of my heart.
I realized that my room was completely empty, which I thought was strange. "Hello?" I croaked, my throat aching even more. There was no answer, just the sound of my echo. I looked to my right arm and saw a cable wrapped on it. On the cable was a button, I supposed it was there to call the nurse. I hesitantly pressed the button.
After less than a minute of waiting, a nurse walked in, a sort of notebook in her hand. "Finally awake, Sakura-san?" She asked friendlily and wrote something down in her notebook.
I realized she was writing down what the machines told her. My current heart beat, the flow of my breathing, etcetera.
"A lot of people are outside, waiting to see you." She commented as she finished writing and put her pen behind her ear.
"Are you going to let them inside?" I asked hopefully.
She smiled sadly. "Unfortunately, you're not in stable condition yet. They should be able to see you in an hour or so, so you can rest a little more if you like." She said kindly and but two pills and a glass of water on my table.
"What're those?" I asked curiously.
"You've currently got quite the fever, so if you start to feel a little strange, you can take these." She instructed me, "Call again if there's anything else you'd like." She told me, and smiled one more time before leaving. The door slowly closed behind her as she left.
I let out a deep sigh and looked up to the ticking clock on the wall. It was seven o'clock in the morning, and the lack of natural light bothered me. The room was too clean, too unfamiliar. It even smelled funny.
I decided to forget about my problems, and just sleep, just as the doctor had advised me too. I closed my eyes peacefully.
-
-
"Sakura, what in the hell were you thinking?!"
I put my hands on my face and groaned. Too much noise. Major headache. Gaara looked away and let out a deep breath. I knew he only acted this way because he had been worried, but it was incredibly annoying, but it was nice to hear, all the same.
"Give her a break, Gaara." I heard Sai say calmly.
Gaara sighed and closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them, his eyes looked the most concerned I had ever seen them. "Sakura, please… promise me you won't do something stupid like that, ever again. It… It hurts to see you in pain." He said quietly.
"Gaara…" I mumbled, feeling incredibly guilty.
Hinata sniffed loudly, a tissue covering her pale face. "W-We really thought you were going to die…" She cried.
I felt my eyes get watery, but managed to hold back my tears. "I-I promise you all… that I'll try my best not to get into any more trouble. If my pain is this contagious, then I'll concentrate on the positive things and try to be happy, just for you guys."
All of their eyes soften, and a pleasant silence filled the room.
"You should've seen Naruto-kun, he looked horrible too." Sai suddenly added.
I scowled at him, and he sent me that annoying fake smile of his. "You really know how to cheer someone up, Sai…" I muttered.
He stopped smiling, and simply stared at me. "Well… Would you like to know about Sasuke-kun?" He asked.
My eyes widened anxiously. "Yes!" I said, trying to sit up.
Gaara pushed me back down. "He's waiting outside, to talk to you." He told me.
Hinata got up, "I'll tell him to come in." She sniffed.
"Umm… wait." I said.
She spun to face me.
"Can I talk to him alone first?" I asked.
My friends nodded their heads and walked out. A few seconds passed before Sasuke walked in, slowly slipping inside, and closing the door behind him.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm so glad to see you!" I said, unable to hold my tears any longer.
He smiled as he walked towards me, and sat down on the side of my bed. "You really know how to scare a guy, don't you, Sakura-chan?" He mumbled. His face looked a bit paler than usual, but the thing he looked the most was glad.
"I'm sorry… You know how I am…" I muttered apologetically. I felt his hand reach my chin, and pulled my head up to face him.
"Next time, try to run somewhere safe. And I've noticed that you tend to fall asleep in the most bizarre places." He smirked.
I blushed and smiled at him. "Yeah, I just tend to drift off. There are only two places where I know I will always be safe from my own pain. The first place is in my sleep… and…" I paused.
He looked at me expectantly. "And…?" He asked.
"And, the second place… is with someone I'm close too. Like Gaara, or Hinata, or Sai, or Naruto… or you." I said, another tear slipping away from my grasp. I felt my bottom lip quiver and tremble.
He leaned towards me, and wrapped his arms around me.
I hugged him back, finally feeling like I was in my safe haven again. I knew this was the time to say it. I felt it was finally okay.
"I love you, Sasuke-kun."
He was silent for a moment, and I hugged him tighter, unconsciously, hoping he would say the same thing. "S-Sakura-chan…" He started.
I felt my heart drop. He was hesitating, he wasn't sure. I held my breath and bit my lip as hard as I could. He was going to say it, right?
"I love you, too."
It was then and there that my tears began to flow again.
"H-Hey, don't cry!" He suddenly said, releasing me so he could see my face, wet with tears again.
"Don't worry, Sasuke-kun…" I choked, "These are tears of joy." I smiled and looked at my trembling fingers.
"Jeez, Sakura-chan… You cry too much." He teased me.
I pouted and poked him hard on the chest, "Do not!" I laughed.
He kissed my forehead affectionately. "Next time you feel bad, don't run somewhere far away. You have to come to us, Sakura-chan. We care about you, and we just want to try and understand…" He told me.
I nodded my head and smiled as he kissed my forehead again. I turned to him and kissed him back. "Sasuke-kun, I was thinking… I want to-" I was cut off by his lips against mine. I melted from his touch again; he still had such a big affect on me. I forgot about what I had been trying to say for a few seconds, but quickly remembered and finally pushed him away. "Sasuke-kun! I told you not to interrupt me like that!"
He let out a whining sound, but didn't move.
"I-I was thinking that… I wanted to move back in with you." I sighed.
He frowned at me, studying my expression. "Sakura-chan, I think we should wait until this whole Karin thing is solved." He told me.
I gaped at him. "Oh! So now you do?" I asked with my hands on my hips.
He chuckled at my reaction. "I realized that it's better if we wait… You were right."
I crossed my arms and refused to look at him. "Well, maybe I'm right again, I want to move back in with you!"
I knew he was smirking by now. "I already admitted I was wrong once; don't make me do it again." He told me, "I don't like it when I'm wrong."
I finally turned to him and rolled my eyes. "Don't you think I've figured that out by now? You just love to be the one that's right, one wrong move and that's a direct slash through your pride!"
Sasuke laughed out loud, something rare for the boy to do. "But seriously Sakura-chan, don't you think it would be better if we graduated first? High school is almost over anyways…" He said slowly, trying his hardest to convince me.
I let out an aggravated sigh and bit my lip as I thought for a second. I then closed my eyes and shook my head before opening them again. "Fine." I muttered.
He smirked and kissed me again before sliding off the side of my bed. "It's time I get back to class. Love you, Sakura-chan."
-
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In a few days, I managed to get out of the hospital and start my holiday shopping. I had 2 hours to cram, and the stores were extremely crowded. It was Christmas Eve, what else could I have expected? I managed to squeeze into a electronics store. I could pick up some CDs and movies there… hopefully.
-
Thirty minutes into my scavenging hunt, I had only purchased five things. Normally this would be enough, but I planned on buying presents for everyone at the café. "Ah, a camera for Ino…" I mumbled as I got my hands on a ruby red camera. The LCD screen was huge, and it would cost me a lot, but I really wanted to get some special things for my friends.
-
One hour left to spare. Friends left: Neji, Rock Lee and Sasuke. It was absolute torturous, just sitting on that bench in the middle of the mall; watching everyone buy everything in the store, slowly nailing down their prepared lists, leaving only crumbs behind them.
Er… What to buy Neji? What did Neji like? Was Neji even capable of liking something?? I growled as I walked into a supermarket. Tenten had told me that Neji liked Chinese dumplings. I guess that would do. I bought two huge packs of them and left the store.
Rock Lee was next. I guess I could give him a box of chocolates and a hug… I guess.
And finally… Sasuke. I groaned and paced back and forth. "All stores will be closing in thirty minutes." A voice said, coming from the speakers on the high ceiling. I taped my foot. Sasuke would want a… a…. I looked around me.
There was a pet store, seemingly shining before me. I stared, wide eyed, as the last customers left the store, and the owner began closing up. As if in slowly motion, I ran towards the store, yelling.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!"
I stopped right in front of the surprised shop keeper, who raised an eyebrow at me. "Umm… yes?" He drawled.
I wheezed and put my hand against the wall, "Please… I have one last thing I need…" I said, "Just… let me buy a…"
-
-
"Finally done your Christmas shopping, Sakura-chan?" Someone asked, putting their hand on my shoulder.
I quickly spun around, nearly dropping my huge load.
"Whoa!" Kiba said, catching a few bags for me.
I sighed in relief. "Thanks, Kiba." I said, nearly breathless. "Your present is in there… somewhere." I said and smiled.
He chuckled and looked inside. He cocked an eyebrow at the raw amount of wrapped boxes. "Don't you think you went a little overboard? You didn't have to buy me a present, too…"
I laughed. "I know I might have exaggerated a little, but it's just a token of my appreciation. You have to cherish what little you have." I said, staring at my presents as we walked towards the office.
He carried a warm smile as we arrived at the delivery room. In our school, there was a special delivery service every holiday, like Christmas or Easter. We dropped off our presents in the room and by the next morning, they were delivered to our recipient's door.
Kiba and I quickly dropped them off, making sure each present had the receiver's name on it. As we checked them, his eyebrows rose at the sight of one particular name. "You got her a present?!" He asked, dumfounded.
I laughed nervously. "W-Well, I think we could've been friends. Besides, I'm probably the only one who'll even bother sending her one…" I mumbled.
He shrugged and put the box in the pile to his left. "I suppose." He said.
Once we finished we walked back to the dorms, thought I kept one particular present with me, one with holes in it. "I don't want to spoil any surprises, but… is there an animal in there?" Kiba asked as he stared at the big box.
"I dunno. You'll have to ask Sasuke-kun once he opens it." I said and winked at him.
He chuckled and shook his head in amusement.
"Thanks for the help, Kiba-kun!" I told him, once we reached the stairs.
"No problem." He told me.
I laughed. "Jeez, Christmas really took its toll on my pockets this year, huh?"
He laughed, "It's your own fault, Sakura-chan!" He said and waved at me, as he walked back to his room. "Tell everyone I said hi!"
"I will!" I giggled as I ran up the stairs.
-
-
"Hey, Hinata! I just dropped off my presents!" I declared when I entered the room. "Kiba says-" I immediately stopped talking and stared at the girl sitting on a chair, in the middle of the room. My eyes widened.
"How nice to meet you, Sakura." The woman said. She had bright purple hair, obviously dyed that way, and heavy mascara around her eyes.
I could sense the dangerous intent to kill emanating from her body.
"Where's Hinata? And Temari?" I asked, looking frantically around the place.
The woman's gaze studied me. "You seem more concerned about them then you are about yourself, dear…"
I frowned. "Answer my question." I said, slowly reached into my pocket for my cell phone with my free hand.
She clearly noticed my hand moving, but didn't make a move. "They're not here. I thought you'd be able to tell just but looking around… They're still shopping. This all worked out so perfectly." She said and smiled devilishly.
I tightened my grip on the phone. "Why are you here?"
"I'm here for you, Sakura." She told me calmly, spinning her finger in her hair.
"Don't call me Sakura!" I yelled at her.
Her calm expression didn't react to my sudden outburst. "Then what shall it be? Sakura-chan? Haruno-san?" She asked.
I flinched. "… You said you were here for me, right?" I asked.
"That's right. Don't make me repeat myself." She said, stiffly staring back at me.
I gulped. "W-Why? Why do you want me?" I asked.
"Oh," She said, "I thought it was clear. When I said I wanted you, I meant that I wanted…
Your head."
I dropped the box onto the ground, and nearly toppled over in shock. I felt my heart beat quicken, and the woman stood up.
"I, Senna Konan, have been sent here to wipe out you, Haruno Sakura, the last member of the Haruno family."
"N-No…" I whispered desperately.
Why would she want me?
What did I ever do to her?
What did I ever do to anyone?
She suddenly rushed towards me, and I didn't even move.
What could I do?
CLICK
I gasped and spun my head around.
Hinata walked in through the door. "Hey Sakura!" She said, "Wha-".
She looked at me, her eyes widening.
Run, Hinata!
"Sakura… Are you feeling okay?"
"W-What…?" I slowly turned my head. The woman who had almost killed me, Senna Konan, was gone. I felt my breathing slowly stop. My phone made a familiar noise.
A text message?
I opened it up, and tried to read the message, struggling because of my shaking fingers..
I trust our encounter will be kept secret…
Unless you wish for me to take the heads of your friends as well.
Be a good girl, Sakura-san.
I will definitely be back for you.
Patience is a virtue.
I frantically deleted the message and threw my phone to my bed.
I didn't realize how much I was shaking until Hinata put her hands firmly on my shoulders and tried to calm me down. "Sakura, you look hysterical!" She gasped.
"I'm so sorry, Hinata!" I said and sobbed into her shirt as I hugged her.
"S-Sakura, what's wrong?!" She asked me, still in shock.
I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on formulating words properly. "I-I-I'm just s-so-so scared!" I choked out.
She comforted me and cried with me until Temari arrived, never asking again why I cried, but simply sharing the burden of my pain.
-
-
The next morning was Christmas. I hopped out of my bed and prepared myself for the awaiting day. Outside the school grounds were covered with the whitest snow, and some people were already outside, building snowmen and making snow angels.
I remembered that there were no classes today, and the students were aloud to wear normal clothes instead of the plain uniforms. The only rules on appearance applied on Christmas were that the clothes had to be appropriate, and of the right color; green, red and/or white.
Christmas day was definitely the day that all students cherished. No classes, more fun, and more freedom! Hinata and I grabbed some gingerbread cookies and decided to walk around the school to try and find everyone, while Temari decided to take advantage of the only day where we were free to stay out of our rooms until two o'clock in the morning to take some well deserved rest.
As soon as we opened the door, we noticed the presents waiting for us. "I almost forgot!" Hinata exclaimed.
I hadn't. I was just too busy thinking about yesterday's events. I lazily grabbed some presents and brought them inside. "We can open them later." I said; my voice still a little shaky.
Hinata looked at me nervously. "Oh… alright."
I sighed in relief as we left our dorm room and headed for the foyer. I was glad that Hinata hadn't made a big deal out of it, but it was still painful to see so much worry in her eyes.
And finally I realized that I had broken another promise.
I felt my eyes get watery, but managed to hold back my tears. "I-I promise you all… that I'll try my best not to get into any more trouble. If my pain is this contagious, then I'll concentrate on the positive things and try to be happy, just for you guys."
And I turned my gaze to Hinata, who I had caught staring at me.
And I smiled.
