Title: Healing Chapter 8

Summary: His heart only opens when hers wants to close.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I wouldn't mind owning Sasuke-kun though. J

Theme: Post-canon

Medium: Fanfiction

Rating: T

Warning(s): Emotional, Violence

Comments: Short drabbles for now. This is part 8 of _?

Also, I decided to use SasuSaku Month prompts for this story as well so I can finish all of them.

Prompt: Day 15- Blabbermouth.

-S-

Rumors fly like little birds with broken wings, with every stop at each ear having a different sound, as more feathers fly off and the wings start to vanish. The listening ears refused to let the little bird have its rest. They would try to fix the wings, adding in whatever they fancied. Thus, the little bird would fly from ear to ear to the point that it has become unrecognizable, with only the tiniest speck of truth hidden underneath the layers of feathers.

Sakura has had her fair share of rumors. When she was seven, the sun, the moon, the stars, and even galaxies, all revolved around Sasuke-kun. She remembered the most prominent rumor, and the only one she truly believed because there was a legitimate source, was the one about Sasuke-kun liking long hair. She confirmed this herself. Her mother and Sasuke-kun's mother had been friends. Sasuke-kun and his mother would sometimes come over for tea. Mikoto-san would bring cute little Sasuke-kun along for a "play date" with her.

"If I had a daughter, I would let her hair grow long. And Sakura has such beautiful pink hair. Wouldn't she look cute, Sasuke?" Mikoto asked while combing her fingers through Sakura's hair.

"Like yours, mother? Of course," Sasuke had eagerly replied.

Sakura had blushed deeply and her mother laughed mentioning that Sakura could grow her hair long if she took care of it properly. And that had started Sakura's obsession with her hair.

In hindsight, it was more likely that Sasuke just agreed with everything his mother said to please her.

-S-

On a bright partly cloudy day, the perfect weather since the sun was partially hidden by the clouds but still shined brightly, there was a pleasant breeze. It had all the makings of a beautiful day that could easily make a person smile as soon as they stepped out their doors.

But not for Sakura. Sure, she woke up after a long sleep, without an alarm. That already made her happy. Plus, her parents were already awake. Her father served her a delicious breakfast.

Yet, just a few meters outside of her house, Sakura passed by a group of girls she knew from her Academy days. As she neared them, they noticed her and huddled together.

"I heard that she told Sasuke-sama she's pregnant and he doesn't believe it's his baby."

"Why would he sleep with her though? She's so short and flat-chested."

"Is that why they were fighting? He was probably…"

At that point Sakura had purposely disappeared from sight, jumping up onto the rooftops and far away from them. The smile was wiped away replaced with a scowl.

Lost in her musings, she was startled and almost tripped as Ino glomped her.

"So~ when were you planning to tell me that you and Sasuke did it? How was it? You're so lucky to have your first time with Sasuke-kun! Were you not careful? Is that why there are rumors you're pregnant?"

"Ugh! Not you too, Ino!" Sakura protested, extricating herself from Ino's grasp.

The cheeky smile and eyebrow wiggling faded away when Ino took note of Sakura's very irritated growl.

"When I find out who started that rumor, they better start running now."

"Come on~ It's not like anyone is going to seriously believe those ridiculous rumors."

"That's not the point. I don't want to be the main topic of the gossip queens."

"It will be fine. Everyone knows Sasuke still thinks girls have cooties anyway. Actually, I think he's allergic to normal human beings." Ino joked. She was going to add: that's the reason he went to a creepy snake-man. But then realized that maybe it was still a sensitive topic.

The joke was effective and Sakura's scowl was turned into a reluctant grin for one second. Then, it was replaced by a dejected look followed by a sigh, "I just wish they'd leave us alone. I don't know how to face Sasuke today. I don't want people to think my parents didn't raise me well. I don't even know where this stupid rumor got started."

At this point they were walking into the hospital's lobby. A few of the nurses and other staff turned to look at Sakura for a moment but wisely kept quiet.

Ino reasoned, "It's probably because it was never a secret that you had a crush on Sasuke. And now that he's back, people are probably wondering about when he'll get married and rebuild the Uchiha clan. You're the most probable candidate because you're on his team and the only one he can tolerate."

It was more than a crush, Sakura thought. She shook her head, "I don't think Sasuke-kun is going to start dating anytime soon. And if he does marry, it won't be me. He tolerates me because all the other medics aside from Shizune-senpai and Tsunade-sama are afraid of him. If anyone, I guess he would pick someone from nobility, like some of the past Uchiha wives."

"Maybe. But I really think -" Sakura cut her off.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. I don't want to talk about Sasuke-kun's personal life." Sakura felt uneasy talking about Sasuke's clan.

She would not admit that the other reason for wanting a change of topic was the bitter aftertaste of discussing Sasuke's future bride. Somehow she just could not imagine Sasuke with a wife and family. Did she think Sasuke incapable of love? Right now, she could not answer that question.

They parted ways; Ino headed to one of the labs and Sakura continued on her way to Sasuke's room for his daily check up.

When she opened the door, a big orange blob that put its arm around her shoulders greeted her.

"Sakura-chan! There you are. You and Sasuke-teme should make-up now. We don't want your relationship problems affecting the rest of the team. And since I'm the one that helped you guys get together, you should name your first-born after me."

One.

Two.

Three.

"Naruto! I should've known it was you! You're a stupid blabbermouth!" The last word was punctuated by a rough uppercut. But apparently he wasn't that much of an idiot. The clone disappeared and the real Naruto bolted from his hiding place at the end of the hallway.

"Get back here and I'll make sure you won't be able to talk anymore!"