The Virgin

WARNING: My dear readers, if you are eating and easily get disgusted, then please finish your food first before reading this. ;)

A/N: Since there were five "yes" voters (plus two in the reviews) and only three "no" voters, then I guess I'm gonna continue this. :)

Date written: 083110 and 090110

Chapter Three – Storm

The rain fell lightly outside, touching everything with its light drops. Grown-ups ran inside their houses or workplaces while the kids ran out to bask under the drizzle. Frogs started to croak, as if coaxing the rain to fall harder. Naruto was awakened by the racket that they made and he looked outside his window in annoyance.

"Geez, it's still morning but it's already raining!" he whined, getting out of his bed. Having lived in Konoha for seventeen years already, he still couldn't understand how the weather could change drastically.

His breakfast was ramen and milk (A/N: Weird combination…). A month ago, his breakfast was always something far more delicious than the ones in front of him at that moment, thanks to Hinata. Every mealtime was like a feast fit for a king, if there really was one existing, and he was pretty happy with it. She seemed to know what food would fit his mood.

"But Sakura-chan is still the best," he muttered to himself as he finished his milk. This had been his famous line ever since Hinata broke up with him. Whenever her memories would flood his mind, he would chant this line aloud and the memories would be subdued somehow. It became his mantra, saving him from drowning into sadness and regret.

"Sakura-chan is still the best," he said again. But deep inside, he knew that he was telling himself the biggest lie.

-O-

Hinata woke up groggily, feeling very sick. Her stomach felt like all the digested food inside was having a war. She felt clammy and nauseous, and she knew that she had to run to the nearest toilet as soon as possible. Sprinting quietly across the halls, she did her very best to hold the bile until she reached the comfort room. Sitting frog-legged on the floor, she heaved on the toilet bowl like there was no tomorrow.

I must have eaten something bad last night, she thought as she flushed the repugnant stuff. She stood up and approached the sink, planning on rinsing her mouth but she felt sick again. Groaning, she belched on the toilet and did not stand up for minutes, still heaving now and then.

Perhaps I should see a doctor, she thought as she finally rinsed her mouth and washed her face. She stared at her reflection on the mirror. The symbol on her forehead was abominable, signifying a caged bird. Running her shaky hands over it, the tears started falling fast from her eyes. Is death the only escape?

-O-

Sakura was glad her shift was over. She hurried her pace, wanting to go home and get some divine rest. The hospital had been busy. There were a lot of patients admitted to the hospital due to the epidemic. Janitorial services were suddenly much needed as the patients constantly heave everywhere, since they were unable to control the bile rising from their stomach. Surgical masks and gloves were suddenly valuable too. Sakura suddenly hated being a nurse more than ever. She was thankful, for the least, that nobody puked on her white uniform. If somebody did, she might declare war against the one who puked, patient or not.

In her hurry, she hadn't noticed much of her surroundings until she felt something bump her left shoulder. She almost spun by the intact but she immediately caught herself. Facing that something – which was a person – she had just bumped shoulders with, she apologized profusely. After all, she's a nurse.

"It's alright, Sakura-chan," a gentle voice spoke. Sakura looked up, recognizing the owner of the voice. Her irritation dissipated and she flushed. To think that she would get angry with a kind person like Hinata!

"Hinata-chan! What are you doing here?" Sakura asked casually, ignoring the nagging voice of her inner self. She fairly knew why Naruto and Hinata broke up, and she didn't want to think about it. It's not her fault to attract the admiration of not-so-beautiful people (e.g. Naruto and Lee; Sasuke is the only beautiful person) after all. "Are you sick?"

Hinata nodded, smiling ever so slightly. "I think I am. I heaved tons a while ago and I guess I'm sick with the epidemic too."

Sakura's face blanched. "That's terrible! Er… you're not gonna puke on me, ne?"

"Of course not!" Hinata laughed. "Listen, I will not hold you any longer, Sakura-chan. I know you need some rest… working here is tough."

Sakura yawned behind her hand, feeling very tired. "Yeah. Thanks, Hinata-chan. Get well soon."

And with that, Sakura exited the hospital, dreaming of her soft warm bed.

-O-

Sometimes, a brain will suffer an overload; a proclaimed sentence would take minutes for it to process and let the meaning sink in. no matter how hard a person would try to force the brain to work normally, it just couldn't bring itself to obey the command.

Hinata was no exception. She stared blankly at the old doctor, her mouth hanging open. Confusion and shock were written clearly on her face. As every second passed by, her face grew paler until it was as white as the doctor's smock.

"Hyuuga-san, are you alright?" the doctor asked, concern leaking in his voice. He had not expected that kind of reaction from the unfortunate girl. He had expected her to scream and make a scene on his findings. But not that.

Hinata's hands slowly touched her tremulous lips, shaking like a leaf on a twig. Tears started to form in her eyes as she recovered from shock. After a moment of silence, she had finally found her voice. "Are you sure? Y-You're not mistaken, ne? Tell me, sensei!"

She cried, covering her face in utter grief. Her shoulders quaked as she wept bitterly, trying to convince herself that she was only having a nightmare. The doctor approached her cautiously but his patient flinched from his touch. "Please don't touch me. Just tell me, sensei! I don't need your pity... I need you to confirm it."

The doctor took a deep breath and Hinata looked up and stared straight into his gray eyes. "I am sorry, Hyuuga-san. I do not wish to the bearer of this news but… yes, it's true."

Hinata wailed, clutching her chest. Saying nothing to the grief-stricken doctor, she ran outside his office and outside the hospital, ignoring the curious glances the other patients gave her. The rain was already pouring outside, forming small puddles on the road, but still she ignored it. She ran as fast as she could, dodging the other people and the puddles. She slipped many a times but she immediately picked herself up. On and on, she ran until she reached the Hyuuga Branch House.

"Where have you been, Hinata-san?" Neji asked who was waiting for her arrival. He noticed that her eyes were red and he held her shoulders. "Have you been crying?"

Neji was like an older brother Hinata never had and a father she wished she had. He cared for her even if she was no longer in the Main House. When he knew that she was to be placed in the Branch House, he took her under his wings and tried his best to heal her wounded pride.

Hinata shook her head slowly, avoiding his inquisitive gaze. "I'm fine, Neji-nii-san. I came from the hospital… because I was afraid I got the epidemic but the doctor said I'm fine. It's great, ne?"

"Yeah," he said softly, not really believing Hinata's story entirely. He let it pass, knowing that she would confess sooner or later. "Come on, let's get you dried."

Me: I was trying not to actually puke while writing this one.

Demon: That's gross, tono. About one-third of this chapter is made up of puke. Ew!

Temper: What was Hinata's sickness, tono?

Me: (ignores Temper) Reviews please!

.

.

.

Chapter Two

Thanks:

- Rolo-chan for the fave;

- Perpetual159 for the alert; and

- , and Atsuko-chii for the reviews!