Again, thank you for all of the reviews!

This chapter is of the same vein as the other two, but more focused on the speech. So, with that in mind – enjoy!

Forget Me Not
Chapter 3 – Emotions

Sai

"What do you mean he won't be able to properly use his right hand?"

Sakura's fingers unconsciously grip the clipboard held at her chest. Her green eyes focus on the woman's ear. She can't look her in the eyes. "I'm sorry, Sanada-san," Sakura says softly, as soothing as she can, "He came in very badly injured from a mission and we were able to save everything but –"

"Why didn't you save his hand?" Sanada's own hands form fists at her side. They clench around the fabric of her dress, wrinkling the worn cloth. "You're supposed to be one of the best, aren't you?"

"I'm sorry." Sakura repeats – for that's really all she can do, "We tried. He was in bad shape when he was brought in. We saved his legs and his lungs, but the bones in his hands were beyond full repair."

"After all my son has done for you, you couldn't save his hand?" The woman's voice is rising. Sakura notices people around them stopping to stare. "Maybe if it was the Hokage instead of some overrated child trying to play doctor my son would still be able to do what he loves!"

Sakura does her best to ignore the jab at her pride. She pushes on, "Sanada-san, I truly am sorry –"

"Sorry? Sorry won't bring back my son's livelihood! What is he supposed to do now?"

Sakura closes her eyes, counting to ten. She knows the mother needs someone to blame, but damn it she was tired! Sakura opens her eyes again, shoulders drooping, and tries again, "There are many options, Sanada-san. For now, why don't I take you to see your son?" She gestures down the hall.

Sanada stiffens slightly, unsure how to proceed. Her glare switches from Sakura's face to the hand and back again. Finally, the older woman nods firmly and marches past Sakura, not missing the opportunity to roughly shove her out of the way with a shoulder.

Tired, Sakura stumbles under the force of the blow before catching herself. When she is stable, she stands straight and allows her fingers tightly grip the clipboard until she hears a satisfying crack.

"Haruno-san," A sharp voice chastises. Sakura sheepishly turns to face the older nurse, her face red from embarrassment and anger. The nurse is an older woman with grey streaks coloring her brown hair and few wrinkles. Her bright red nails push up her glasses and she continues her reprimand, "That is the third clipboard this week. I know you're tired and angry, but we are all under stress. Please control yourself!" The older nurse spins on her heel, marching away.

Sakura watches carefully, straining her neck slightly until the nurse turns a corner. When the woman has disappeared from sight Sakura crosses her arms (a piece of the clipboard in each hand) and mumbles, "I can show you angry, you arrogant prissy b-"

"Sakura!"

Sakura briefly wonders if her senses are broken for the day. She holds back the sigh and slowly spins on her heels, "Yes, Tsunade?" Tsunade is glaring at her with arms crossed under her large bosom. Sakura mentally runs through a checklist of things she could have or did done wrong today.

"Why are you still here?" Oh, that.

Sakura uncrosses her arms and shrugs slightly. Sure, Tsunade sent her home a while ago, but there is still a lot to be done and she did not want a nurse to deal with breaking the news to Sanada. "I was just-"

"I sent you home a while ago." Tsunade reaches foreword and snatches the broken clipboard from Sakura's hands. She examines it once, pushing the broken pieces together as though it would magically fix itself. When she looks up again, the glare deepens. "You're still here? I said go home!"

Sakura swallows a retort and forces herself to turn away before she snaps at her mentor. She takes a deep breath, straightens herself, and marches to her office to grab her things and possibly throw something breakable. It is a good time for a break anyway.

The fresh air does Sakura good. The area around the bench is quiet and peaceful. The swaying branches of the trees across from the bench she sits on are soothing. The cool breeze balances out the heat of the midday sun and she is able to relax. The coffee in her hand doesn't hurt either.

Sitting beside her is Sai. She had just sat down to sip on her coffee when Sai wordlessly plopped down beside her. She doesn't mind his company – when he isn't insulting her. On days like today, it is especially nice to have someone who is less prone to anger and frustration.

Next to her, Sai is silent – this is not very unusual. What is unusual is his painting – or rather, the lack of.

Sakura watches Sai from the corner of her eye. He does not move, nor does he appear to be looking at anything in particular. Occasionally, his head will cock to the side, before righting itself again, or his lips will purse lightly – a habit she doubts he is even aware of. He is thinking (very deeply) about something. She waits patiently for him to ask the question he is mulling about in his head.

When he does speak another five minutes later, Sakura is almost done with her coffee, "Hey, Ugly."

Sakura's right eye twitches, "Yeah, Sai?" She throws the rest of her coffee back in favor of not hitting him.

"What's love?"

The coffee doesn't make it all the way down her throat and she half chokes. He watches her curiously as she heaves and coughs. Sakura is vaguely aware of a hand reaching out before pulling back to rest on his lap. When she is stable, Sakura discreetly wipes her mouth and oh-so-intelligently asks, "What?"

A heavy sigh escapes Sai's lips. He continues to face foreword, only his eyes slowly dragging over to give her a look that says the question she asked is beneath him, "You heard me, why must I repeat myself?"

"Sai," Sakura ignores his expression and plays with her empty up. "Why are you asking me?"

He still doesn't turn and his voice remains very serious and matter-of-fact like. "Despite your looks and actions, you are, in fact, a female."

"Watch it."

"And according to Naruto and my books, females tend to be more in tune with love."

It takes Sakura a moment to register what was insinuated. Something inside of her jumps with excitement for her teammate, "Do you think you love someone?" She scoots a bit closer.

"I don't know," He finally turns to face her, though the dry look remains, "That's why I'm asking you."

Sakura nods resolutely and sits back on the bench. A hand unconsciously lifts to cup her chin while she thinks. "That's a hard question to answer." She admits. "There are many different kinds of love."

"Yes." Sai nods, confirming his understanding, "I have read about brotherly love, family love, and romantic love – but it doesn't tell me how you know. I understand that it is a chemical reaction, but as I cannot fully examine my brain – "

"Love is more than chemicals." Sakura interrupts, slightly exapserated.

Sai cocks his head slightly. He ponders a moment before giving up and asking, "Please explain."

"Love is…" Sakura pauses. Love is so many things that it's hard to define. She thinks of her own experiences, "Love is complicated." She says slowly. Her eyes move back and forth, running her words through her brain before she lets them out, "It's sticking by someone even when they're being stupid –"

"Like you and Naruto and Sasuke."

"- even if you have to sometimes knock them around a little to get the person to see the right way."

"Again-" Sakura knocks his arm lightly.

"Shut up, Sai." She waits to see if he has more comments. When he doesn't, she continues, "Love is wanting the best for a person even when it hurts you. When someone is hurt, you want to do everything you can to make it better – even switching places." The words are coming easier now. They flow from inside her and what she believes – or wants to believe. What she thinks her own love is, "You do things for someone you love that you'd never do for someone else." She pauses. A small smile stretches her lips, "You can not like someone, but still love them."

"I don't understand."

"It goes deeper than that. Sometimes I don't like Naruto when he's being loud and obnoxious, but I will always love him." She blinks for a moment, returning to the worked around her and stares pointedly at Sai and smiles. "Or you."

"You love me?" Sai's wide eyes reflect emotions Sakura was sure he didn't even recognize yet – confusion, excitement, surprise, and perhaps even relief.

Pink hair shakes as her head bobs once to affirm his question, "Even though I hate it when you call me Ugly," She teases and punches his arm again. He doesn't move to rub the spot. "Yeah," She offers him a wider smile, "We're a family. I love you too."

Sai's eyes are back to their normal size as they gaze at something in the trees. He is silent, contemplative. Sakura waits.

"So you also love Sasuke?"

Sakura can feel the heat crawl up her cheeks despite how hard she fights it. It deflates her slightly, but she wants to be honest so Sakura nods.

"Is it worth it?"

Sakura's mouth opens, ready to spout out an answer, but she stops. She knows what she wants to answer and what the expected answer is. Yet… she looks at Sai and cocks her head slightly. He waits patiently while she thinks. Her brain rolls through all the people she loves and the experiences she's shared with them: Her mother, father, Naruto, Kakashi, Sai, Ino, Sasuke… She presses her lips together and looks down at the grass around the bench. She wants to tell him that love is amazing, that love is rarely painless and always returned. She wants to tell him that everyone has someone and that love will carry you through all the hard times – that when in love, no one leaves and you stay together. She wants to tell him without a doubt that love is absolutely worth it.

But instead, she is honest. "I don't know."

Sai is silent and Sakura risks a glance. His already thin lips are pressed together and his eyes stare somewhere beyond her reach. She shakes the empty coffee cup in her hand while she waits for him to process the new information.

When he does speak again, his words are slow and deliberate, as though he isn't completely sure of his conclusion, "I am always happy and grateful when you are able to answer my questions. I really…" He struggles a moment, trying to find the right word and emotion, "appreciate it. I also get angry when you hit me," His eyes drift over to his arm that Sakura had hit just moments before. A smile tugs at Sakura's lips. When he speaks again, his word are no less unsure, but are spoken with more force, "but today I heard a hag unjustly yelling at you and for the first time I wanted to hit someone outside of battle. I didn't understand it because I rarely experience anger. I think I understand a little more now." He looks up at the sky and blinks a few times before firmly nodding. He turns back to her and leans in slightly, "Sakura, I think I love you like an amazing older brother loves a sad, ugly little sister."

Today, Sai learns about love and learning to stop while you're ahead (Also referred to as, 'Your stupid ass comments just ruined a beautiful moment!')

(Chapter End)

Originally, I was going to have this be more focused on appreciation – which is actually the main reason for the beginning of the chapter, but it somehow turned into a story about love. I did mention the appreciation thing in part of Sai's little speech though. It just didn't seem like enough to have a chapter on, plus it wasn't just about love but the emotions that go into love – and I feel like it tied in well with Sai. Anyway, I hope you liked it!

I suppose I should point out that Tsunade does indeed seem like a bit of a bitch here, but it's because Sakura was wearing herself out and becoming quite angry and cranky. Tsunade understood, and had sent her home for a reason. Sakura, of course, felt justified and underappreciated. But, you know, as with most things in life, there are two sides to everything. Here, this story is about Sakura so Tsunade looks like a bitch. I just felt like I wanted to explain that – because I do love Tsunade.

Next chapter will be out in a few days! It will be the long-awaited Sasuke!

Thanks again for your time and attentions! Your reviews make me happy :D