"Waking Up"

By Uchiha-Griffin

THIS STORY IS PURLEY FANMADE AND HAS NO CONNECTION TO THE ACCTUAL NARUTO SERIES. ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO MASASHI KISHIMOTO. ENJOY, AND REMEMBER: SASUSAKU FOREVER!

Summary: In the last chapter, Sakura got beat up by Ino and her group of rabid cheerleaders! Sasuke stepped in to help, and drove her to the hospital. What's going to happen now?…

Sakura slowly became aware of her surroundings. Everything was white. There was an annoying beeping sound coming from somewhere. The walls… the ceiling… the blinding lights from above… Was this heaven? When she looked to her side, her theory confirmed.

Sasuke was here with her. He was smiling lightly, and looking at her lovingly. If this was heaven, or even if it was hell, she would take it!

"You finally woke up?" Sasuke asked her, brushing his fingers over her bruised cheek. Yep. This was definitely heaven. "How long have I been out?" She asked groggily. "About three days." Sasuke answered, sweatdropping.

"Three days?!" Sakura squeaked. "Yeah. It's already Saturday." he answered. "Do my parents know I'm here?! Am I excused from school?! Ohmigosh, I'm gonna have to make up three days' worth of homework!!" She rambled on.

"Your parents do know you're here. I called them as soon as you opened your eyes. You are excused from school, and there is NO WAY anyone is going to make you do your homework, after the beating you got." Sakura moaned at the memory. "What hurts?!" Sasuke asked, suddenly frantic.

"It's nothing." Sakura lied. Sasuke smiled at her. "Ok, good." Sasuke smiled, relieved. God, when he smiled, he was so handsome…The heart monitor sped up, giving her away. A blush colored her cheeks. "So… Sa…Emperor, Why are you here, exactly?" She asked.

"Well, I kinda saved your life from those cheerleaders. So I was wondering when you would wake up. I've been here every day, ever since you got out of surgery." He explained. Sakura's face lost it's color. "I had surgery? I was that bad?"

"I'm afraid so. You had a broken arm…" he motioned to her arm, which was in a sling, she realized, "… two ribs fractured, one broken, a concussion, major blood loss, and an assortment of cuts, bruises, gashes… you name it, you had it." Sasuke explained. Sakura shivered.

"Don't worry. That won't ever happen again. I promise you." Sasuke said, his expression determined. "You're not gonna kill anyone, right?" Sakura asked, nervous. Sasuke chuckled. "No, but… sometimes I wish I could. I mean, look what they did to you!"

Sakura shook her head. "I'm not mad at them." Sasuke stared at her, shocked. "What?" he gasped. "I said, I'm. Not. Mad. At. Them." She enunciated each word. "You truly are a remarkable girl." Sasuke murmured. Sakura smiled ruefully.

"I'm sad for them. I'm sad they have to beat people to get them to see sense in things. I'm sad they can't be civil. I'm also sad… for you." She said. "Me?" Sasuke asked, confused. "I'm sorry you have to put up with them." Sakura said with a weak smile. Sasuke laughed. "Me too, me too." He agreed.

--

"What?! No way, I can't let you!" Sakura said, frantic. "Oh, come on, it's just a makeover…" Sasuke said, shrugging. "Yeah, at Konoha's best and most expensive salon!" Sakura cried. "It's no big deal, my sister works there." He said, indifferent.

Sakura pulled at her bangs, which covered her 'alien forehead'. Being at such a prestigious salon was intimidating. She knew Sasuke was rich but… why would he do this for her? Her family was doing Ok, but they weren't even close to rich.

Suddenly Sasuke pushed Sakura into a salon chair and said, "Wait here." She sat, staring at her confused expression untill a woman that looked a lot like Sasuke came up behind her. She had the trademark Uchiha onyx eyes and raven hair. "So you must be Sakura." She said. Sakura nodded.

""Nice to meet you! I'm Sasuke's older sister, Minanmi! Sasuke said you wanted your hair and makeup done. His treat, by the way. Wow, I've never seen Sasuke show a liking to any girl… anyway… let's get started!" Minami said, smiling. "Wow, this girl can talk." Inner Sakura observed.

--

An hour later, Sakura couldn't believe her eyes. Minami could work wonders! Her hair wasn't in her eyes anymore. Now it framed her face by falling gently down to above her shoulders, and the whole length shortened to between her shoulder blades, and a ribbon was tied like a headband to keep her hair back.

Her makeup was done, too. It was a very natural look, with just a little smoky eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara. She didn't need any foundation, because her porcelain skin was as close to perfect. When Sasuke came back to see how Sakura looked, he was speechless.

"Sakura you look… excellent! Beautifu1!" he exclaimed. Minami beamed. "I did a good job?" She asked. "Hell yeah, sis." Sasuke replied. Sakura blushed. "Thank you… Sasuke." She said. He suddenly grabbed her hand. "C'mon, we're going clothes shopping!" He said.

Minami caught her other hand. "Sakura! What's your prescription? For your glasses." She asked. "Um… 1.50?" Sakura replied. "Stay here." Minami ordered. She soon came back with two boxes. "Can you use contacts?" She asked. "Yeah, and I rather would, but my parents can't afford them." Sakura shrugged.

Minami handed her the boxes and took her glasses off her face. "Well guess what? Now you wear contacts." She said, and snapped Sakura's glasses in half.