Night Study

"Huuaaarrgh …!!" Sakura yawned while stretching her body a catlike. She then glanced over to the clock hanged on her hostel room wall. It's five minutes to 8.00 pm. Her mind made a rapid process whether to continue sleeping or head to the library to study. She sighed when remembering the Jounin final exam was just around the corner so she decided on the latter option.

She looked over to her right side and saw Ten Ten was peacefully sleeping on another single bed. If she was not determine enough she would rather go back to sleep. It's Saturday night and everybody deserves to have a rest. Nonetheless, with a bit of laziness she stood up and walked over to her study desk. She then piled up her notes and textbooks and headed to the door. She paused by the opening, turned her head towards the sleeping Ten Ten.

"Yo! Ten Ten!" She called out. "I'm going out to the library!" When Ten Ten did not move she called out again. "Ten Ten! Yo! Ten Ten!"

Ten Ten lazily stirred in response to Sakura's call. She mumbled something which was inaudible to Sakura's ears but the only sound could be heard in the end was a "Hmmm …".

Wordless, Sakura turned on her heels and left, closing the door behind her.

The library which located next to the Hokage Tower was still full with students busying themselves with notes and textbooks. Some were just dropping by to borrow and exchange books and notes with each other. Upon entering, she froze in the middle of the lobby area. She roamed her eyes looking for anybody who could be her study partner tonight.

At one corner, she spotted Kiba and Naruto, talking and laughing with each other as though they were discussing something so amusing. Nope! Too loud! She decided.

Not far from those two were Shino and Neji buried deep in their reading as if the exam starts tomorrow. Hey. Wait the sec! Neji's already a jounin. Why the hell … Naaahhh … whatever. He's probably working hard for the Hokage title.

She then took a final lurk to check if she could find Ino. Disappointed, she let out a sigh. Ino's probably asleep right now. Looks like I've to study alone tonight. Having said that, she pursued to the west corner of the library and settled herself at the last desk of the revision area. There were only four desks in the west area and two unrecognized students occupying the desk next to Sakura's. Without further ado, she started her revision.

It was almost an hour since Sakura had started her revision when suddenly sleepiness invaded her mind.

"Huaaarrggghh …". She let out a low yawn. While scratching her un-itched left cheek, she said slowly to herself. "Why am I feeling so sleepy? I just had my two hours sleep before I got here." She tried to fight it but failed. Her eyelids were slowly blocking her view and her vision blurred. It felt like something heavy was put on her head made her dropped her face down onto the desk surface and passed out.

Moments later ….

"Sakura chan! Hey! Wake up!"

Sakura awoke with a start when she heard someone called her name and a hand shook her by the shoulder. She quickly strayed her gaze around while her brain trying to process her whereabouts. W-what …?! I'm still at the library? I thought …

"You've fallen asleep …". Someone had said cutting off her thoughts.

Sakura turned her head to that voice and was surprised to see Ten Ten was standing next to her. "Ten Ten?! I thought you're …"

"Asleep?" Ten Ten half bent her body whispering closely to the other's ear. "I was. But I think I had enough sleep already and decided to study with you together." She chuckled and then took her sit opposite Sakura and started to scatter her notes.

However, Sakura felt a little goose bumps upon hearing Ten Ten's chuckle. She narrowed her eyes and stared at her friend in front. That's weird. She had complained of being tremendously tired after a whole day sparring with Gai sensei. And she seems won't wake up until tomorrow.

Suddenly Ten Ten froze from what she was doing and shot a sharp gaze towards the girl before her. "What are you staring at?"

Sakura startled. Her heart bit a little faster than normal when she returned the gaze. She tried but could not take her eyes off Ten Ten's. She did not know what but those eyes; those piercing eyes were unlikely Ten Ten's. Am I dreaming? She rubbed her neck. Yeah … I must be dreaming …

"You seem flustered. What's wrong?" Furrowed, Ten Ten had asked with a curious look on her face.

"Huh? I… I … was wondering …" Dumbfounded, Sakura stuttered still rubbing her neck. She looked at her left wrist and then to her right one. Why the hell didn't I wear my watch?! "Err … I … I … was wondering … what time is it?" Having said that, her eyes scanned around the library looking for a clock but it was kind of strange, none could be found.

Oddity struck her mind. The library was so quiet as if nobody was around but just the two of them. Fortunately, the lights were still on so she still could see around. "It looks like no one's here except us. Had everyone left the building? What about the librarian then? Is she still at the counter when you got here?"

"Oh yeah! Since you've asked, everybody's left already." Ten Ten spoke while her hand busy writing something on her notebook. "Fortunately, the librarian is still here. I've told her to remind us if she's about to leave the building." Without even bother to tilt her head up, she gazed at Sakura through the corner of her eyes. A smirk formed on her lips.

Sakura found difficulties in her breathing upon seeing that smirk. It was like a way of mocking her. I don't like this … "Is that so? Thus, we should be leaving too. We wouldn't want to let the librarian waiting for us, would we?"

She was about to tidy up her scattered notes and textbooks when a very cold hand touched her right hand. It was so cold that made Sakura's blood turned cold too. That hand belonged to Ten Ten.

"You don't have to worry about that Sakura chan." Ten Ten assured. "Beside, it'll be peaceful if it just the two of us studying together with no distraction." This time her lips formed a smile. A very cunning smile.

Sakura's action just now was put to a halt. More goose bumps on her neck when she saw that smile. Her fingers fiddled with her pen unsure on what to do next. Suddenly, the pen slipped from her fingers and woooshh … jumped over the desk edge and flopped onto the floor under the desk. Shit! That's my favourite pen!!

She quickly pushed her chair backwards. While remain sitting, she bent her upper body to her left, snuck under the desk and started looking for her pen. But what she had found first had almost pulled her soul out of her skin. Her eyes widened. Her heart stopped for three seconds then continued beating three times faster than normal.

Ten Ten who was sitting opposite her had no feet. All she saw was a pair of knee length khakis hanged from the chair with no feet. She cupped her mouth with her right hand trying not to freak out. Then she heard a hissing sound came from the other girl.

"Hissss … She already knoooowww …" Ten Ten whispered in a sing sang tone.

In a quick motion Sakura stood up almost hit her head to the desk edge. Again, she almost freaked out when Ten Ten had disappeared as though she had vanished into thin air. Oh! Shit!! This is bad!! Is this just a dream or had I really seen a ghost? Naaahhh … I don't want to wait to know anything …

She quickly piled up all her belongings and started leaving. While marching towards the library counter she did not bother to scan her eyes around because she knew no one could be found. The library was so quiet that she could hear her footsteps clearly. Suddenly her ears caught up on something. Another rhythm of footsteps was heard from behind keeping up with hers. Terrified, she quickened her pace towards the door. She bypassed the counter but no one there. She was all alone … no … she was with 'someone' …

Upon reaching the door, she grabbed the doorknob, turned it around and pulled. What the fuck?! Her inner self screamed. It's locked!! The door is LOCKED!! Damn it!!

Sakura had paused by the door but the other footsteps still marching behind her, getting closer to her. Because the door could not be opened, she stood still, unable to move. Her mind was blank mixed with horror. She closed her eyes prayed hard for the sound would just go away.

Eventually, the footsteps stopped just a couple of feet behind her. She opened her eyes but still too scared to move. Had it gone already?

In a flash, a hand dropped on her right shoulder and squeezed it hard.

"Aaaaaaarrrrggghhhh …!!" Sakura screamed senselessly. A while later she collapsed on the floor, unconscious.

The next morning, Sakura was found sleeping at the library door by the librarian. She was sent for a check up at the Konoha Hospital.

"You're just tired, Sakura. Get some rest and don't pressure yourself." Tsunade The Hokage had said after she had done checking on Sakura. "You'd better not study alone or far away from the others. Otherwise, if you've overslept, nobody will remind you the library is closing."

Sakura nodded. "I understand. I'll be aware next time." Thank god. It's only a dream. She felt a little relieve.

"Oh, by the way … Take this ointment and apply it over your right shoulder." Tsunade said while shoving a bottle of ointment towards the girl. "There's a bruise shaped like a palm there. You must have got it while you're training."

Upon hearing The Hokage's statement, Sakura gasped and later she collapsed. Again, unconscious.

Muahahahahahhah!!

Morale of the story : Don't study at the library alone. In fact, don't study at the library at all.