Recall
"I see," said Sasuke, flinching as he remembered those few months he lived with the Haruno's as a child.
"Yes," Seirei nodded. "Sakura was deeply hurt when you didn't recognize her, but she made it her goal to make you remember us . . . until you disappeared."
Sasuke couldn't believe it. He was the mysterious 'friend' Sakura told him about. He was the second brother whom she knew and cared about more than her real one. She and her mother helped him when he needed the most, and in return, he had treated them exactly as she had said: Trash.
"We were supposed to be a family," Seirei spoke, bringing Sasuke out of his reverie. "Sakura probably told you this, but I used to have a son. He died at the age of seven, and my husband followed soon after, leaving only me and Sakura. The deaths of my husband and son created big holes in my heart that I thought could never heal. But then you came along, and the first time you hugged me, it felt like God was giving me a second chance." She smiled at the time that Sasuke ran up to her and hugged her, saying he forgave her and then Sakura jumped in. Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at the memory too. "I had the adoption papers almost complete," Seirei continued, then her eyes turned glassy. "Then a will created by your father came and it said ―"
"'That for the sake of the clan, no one can adopt me, or else those who do, will be put to death.'" Sasuke concluded. He mentally cursed his father for writing, making it impossible for him to be with people whom he called family, and to send him to a convent run by strange nuns, away from Sakura and Seirei.
Suddenly, Sakura's name clicked. He stood up abruptly, the chair screeching against the tile floor. "Do you know where Sakura could be?"
Seirei shook her head."Why?" she asked, and Sasuke briefly explained what happened on the other side of her door. "No, I can't really tell where her favorite spots are. Try some of her friends, they would know."
Sasuke nodded in thanks, and rushed out of the room. He asked Naruto where she may be. He told Sasuke a couple possibilities and suggested that Ino could be of more help, but she wasn't.
Sasuke hurried along, checking the places Naruto and Ino mentioned, but Sakura wasn't there. Where could she be? He asked himself. He had to find her or else with all that pain bottled up inside, she could just easily give up. He was digging through the trash can, looking for the paper ball that was the past. Maybe it could give him a clue to where she could be.
One place then came to mind. He ran till he came to a park with a bridge. Sakura stood in front of a nearby tree, her back turned to him. She was crying.
He made no attempt to hide the sound of his footsteps. When he was close, it was then she turned seeing the apologies in his eyes through her tear-filled ones. Immediately full of anger, she raised her fist, but before she could hit him, Sasuke caught it.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "There was no reason for me to say that about your mother, I shouldn't have treated you the way I did, and I should have remembered who you were when I came back from the convent that winter ten years ago. I truly am sorry." He let go of her fist, bracing himself for the punch that he so very much deserved.
Instead, Sakura flung her arms around him and pulled him down with her. She was sobbing, her tears soaking his shirt. Awkwardly, he gently rubbed and patted her back. He had hurt her so many times, that was what her tears told him. They stayed like that for a while, until the worst of Sakura's crying was over.
She straightened her back, and wiped her eyes. "Do you remember this place?" she asked, gesturing towards the tree and bridge.
Sasuke didn't say anything, but from the recognition in his eyes, she knew he knew that this was the place where she had saved him from drowning. This was the tree where she sat and watched as Sasuke jumped off the bridge into the river below. This place was where everything that happened between them began.
She rested her forehead on his and closed her eyes. "I wish that will never came," she said somberly.
"I know," he agreed, "But I'm also glad it did."
Sakura opened her eyes. "Why?" she demanded.
"'Cause then, I couldn't do this," and Sasuke kissed her. Just like the first time, Sakura was as still as a statue, then she relaxed and kissed him back. She had to agree; the will's appearance made this one of the few good things.
But then she remembered they broke up. If he does remember their childhood friendship, would getting back together bring him happiness, or bring him pain? "But Sasuke, we broke up."
The look in his eyes said You-still-don't-see-it, -don't-you? He tucked some pink hair behind her ear, his fingers running through the soft strands. "You saved me from a watery death; you helped me when I needed it the most, and for that," he cupped her face in his hands, "I love you."
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. She always wondered what it would be like if she heard those words, but the feelings she dreamed were nothing compared to the feelings she felt. Before she could control herself, Sakura squealed on delight and threw her arms around him.
Sasuke gave a light chuckle, then remembered Seirei. He lifted Sakura up to her feet and said, "I think it's time to see your mom. When I left, she looked worried."
"Yes," she agreed. Sakura let Sasuke lead her to the hospital. Only now did they realize how late it was, and they quickened their pace to reach the hospital before visiting hours were over. When they were outside Seirei's room, Sakura hesitated before opening the door and winced at her mother's wounds.
"Hello, Sakura."
"Mom!" Sakura crossed the room and hugged her mother. Realizing Seirei injuries, she let go. "Sorry."
"It's okay. My wounds don't mean much as long as I know you're okay." She looked past her daughter to see Sasuke standing in the corner. "Thank you, Sasuke. And look: We're all together, just like old times, like a family."
"You know Seirei," Sasuke began, crossing the room and held Sakura's hand, "I might actually become your son one day."
Sakura blushed. "Sasuke," she said, flustered, but a smile came upon in her face.
Seirei stared at their hands and giggled. "Then I give you my blessing."
"Mom!"
A nurse came in with a clipboard in her hands. "Visiting hours are over. It's time for Mrs. Seirei Haruno to get some rest," she said with authoritativeness, gesturing towards the door.
After saying goodbye to Seirei, the two lovers made their way out of the hospital, interlocking their fingers and walking in no particular direction.
"I'm really happy that you remember us now," Sakura said, swinging their arms.
"Hn."
"What you said about mom really hurt me a lot and made me think of suicide," she felt Sasuke's hand tense, so she gave it a reassuring squeeze. "But when you came and told me you remembered, I was happy. My beloved friend returned."
A smile formed on his lips, and Sakura gasped.
"What?" he asked.
"Your smile," she replied. It had been nine years since she had last seen that smile. That smile that was captured in a photo stored in her locket. That smile that she looked at in the morning and night. That smile that always brightened her day when she was seven. "The smile that made me fall for you."
Sasuke sighed in exasperation. "You're so annoying." He gave her a chaste kiss on the eye and then again on the lips. Sakura laughed and held him tighter, never letting go of her lost love.
End.
All done. In case your wondering, no I will not be making another sequel. I have other projects I want to do, and you guys don't need to know more about Sakura's brother and father.
I'd like to give special thanks to Uchihablossom0626. She had commented on ALL of Lost Love's chapters. Arigatou, Uchihablossom0626!
Some other repeating reviewers I give thanks to are: The Black Rose 1995 and shinobinaraku.
Oh and if you read the prequel to this and reviewed there, thank you too!