Always Remember
Me
A/N: …Hello! Many thanks to the people who favorited, alerted, and reviewed (…no comment). This chapter gets a little confusing, and I'm not sure if I did the emotion-thing properly. Oh well, I can't have everything…
After you read, as always, review, review, review! Please? See, I'm asking nicely.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or its characters, and possibly never will. Also, in the summary, the quote ('They say memory…') belongs to Oscar Wilde in 'The Importance of Being Earnest".
Summary: 'Hi! I'm Sakura. I'm a new student at Konoha High…and I have amnesia.' They say memory is the diary that we all carry around with us, but what if that diary is taken away? To top it all off, she has a freak going after her. What a life! (AU, SasuSaku)
Chapter Three: Lost and Lost Again
Two children were happily playing in a sandbox in the playground. They just finished putting the last turret of the sandcastle they were building.
"It looks…it looks awesome!" the boy said with a proud smile at his choice of words.
"Yep!" the girl agreed happily.
"Honey! It's time to go now!" the boy's mother's voice called out.
"Aw! Do you really, really, really have to go now? We just built our castle that we're prince and princess of!" the girl pouted and folded her arms over her chest.
"Yeah, I do, and I can't come to play anymore," the boy answered sadly.
He watched mournfully as a horrified expression crossed the girl's face. "What!" she exclaimed, tears forming in her green eyes, "Why not? I won't have anyone to play with anymore, and I'll miss you very, very, VERY much." The girl brushed away the droplets from her eyes and stared at him as fiercely as a child could.
"I'll miss you very, very, VERY much too!" he said, "But I'll give you this stone. See, isn't it pretty? Like you," he flushed as he said this and pushed the stone into her hands.
"Well," she answered, untying her red hair ribbon, "I'll keep it forever and forever and forever-ever! But keep my ribbon so one day when we meet again, we'll know we're friends!"
"Deal! This way, no matter what happens, I'll always remember you, and you'll always remember me."
"Always remember me," I whispered as I stared at the stone.
"Hm? Did you say something, Sakura?" Ino asked.
"What?" I broke away from my trance. "No. Sorry, I just zoned out while looking at the stone. Don't mind me." She gave me a knowing look but dropped the issue.
Tenten reached for the stone and examined it closely. "It's so…so…"
"So what?" I asked defiantly. No way is anyone going to insult MY stone.
"No! I wasn't going to insult it. I meant more like, it's so…"
"Small?" Ino offered. I gave her a dirty look and she gave me a sheepish smile.
"N-no, it's n-not r-really s-small, i-it's m-medium, k-kind of," Hinata defended me.
"It has a sort of bluish thing to it," Ino added, bringing the stone closer to her eyes.
"The person who gave this to you probably likes blue a lot. You don't find a lot of blue rocks anywhere," Tenten concluded. She handed it back to me and I pocketed it.
"S-Sakura?" Hinata began. I nodded at her.
"I-I a-am s-sorry, b-but I'm r-really c-curious – is it h-hard t-to l-live w-without your p-parents?" I started a little at that, and Ino and Tenten flashed me concerned looks.
"Y-you d-don't h-have t-to answer! I-if y-you don't w-want to th-that is, I j-just wanted to-" Hinata explained, flustered.
I started laugh and she stopped. "It's fine." She sighed in relief. I thought a little about her question and answered.
"I guess…" I started hesitantly, "there's a fine line between living without your parents, but you still have a memory of them, and living without your parents not even knowing who they are in the first place."
The three girls nodded as one and motioned for me to continue.
"Imagine, now: It's the first day of school, and you're alone, obviously, because you don't have parents at all. Everywhere you look, you can see a mother kissing the cheek of your classmate good luck, or a father thumping his kid's back and saying, 'You'll make your dad proud, kid.' Now, if I was the first kind of kid, I would be reliving the memories of the days of when my parents were alive or with me, and how I wished they were here, or whatever, and feel sad. But at least, I have a memory.
"Now," I said wryly, "if you were me, you feel sad, but you don't remember anything at all. You can't relive the memories of the days of when your parents were alive or with you, for the simple reason that you just can't. And it makes you feel this kind of emptiness that just wants to be fulfilled. It's a dull ache – not sharp, just there, every single day, and you can't do anything about it." Subconsciously, my hand went up to wipe a stray tear on my eye.
There was an uncomfortable silence after my monologue. I think I said everything I'd been bottling up inside of me for the past seven years.
I looked at my friends. Hinata was on the verge of crying, Tenten looked at me with sad eyes, and Ino was shifting from foot to foot. They all looked so uncomfortable.
And then, for the second time this day, I laughed out loud. They all seemed startled by the sudden noise.
Ino smiled weakly. "Do you laugh at random a lot?"
We all giggled at that, and a cheery atmosphere reigned in the room again.
"Stop thinking about me," I said, the last of the giggles still in me, "and let's talk about school. Speaking of which, will we have classes tomorrow? Some schools do."
They gave me horrified looks. "Of course not!" they cried in unison.
"We spend six days cooped up in a school with teachers and never ending lessons. Some teachers are maniacs, and some lessons just don't want to stick on your head," Ino
shook her head dramatically.
"I do think we hardworking students deserve some kind of rest from this hectic, motley bunch of crazy days," Tenten finished, just as dramatically as Ino.
Hinata and I giggled at their antics. Once they'd settled down, Tenten flopped on the bed and faced me, saying:
"You can also go back home, if you'd like."
That's a fun system. I would enjoy it more if I actually had a nice home to go back to.
"Do you guys go back home?" I asked them curiously.
"Y-yes, all the t-time," Hinata answered.
"Are you going home, too, Sakura?" Ino asked me. I shook my head.
"Nah, I think I'll just stay here. It's no use staying home and rotting away from being bored."
They nodded at the same time. "It doesn't matter, anyway – Sasuke and company always stay here.
"Who exactly is 'company'?" I asked.
"Er…the guys, basically."
"Well, anyways, I need to go now – homework and all," I made a face. "Bye!"
"Bye!"
"Bye!"
"B-bye."
"Sakura! Come here, darling, mommy has something for you!" said a tall woman with pink hair.
"Okay mommy!" Sakura ran towards her with her arms wide open and then-
"HEY PINKY, GET THE HELL OFFA YOUR BED!" my alarm clock screamed.
Oh, damn! I set the alarm accidentally last night.
Well, there's no use going back to sleep, my annoying alarm successfully jolted all the sleepiness away. Hurrah.
And so begins my morning routine. After fixing the bed, brushing my teeth, showering, changing clothes, and fixing my hair, I am all set and ready to go.
…Um, where exactly should I go?
I guess I'll look around the school today. What is there to do in here anyway?
Yanking the door open, I stepped out and collided with something solid and fell. I looked up and almost fainted.
The raven eyes of Uchiha Sasuke were boring down on me. I bumped him! Accidentally, but will that matter because the fact remains that I bumped him! Oh my god…will he kill me? Wait, no – will Karin kill me?
"Ah! Sorry Sakura-chan dattebayo! I don't think Sasuke was looking where he was going, but he's too proud to say so, so just accept my apology!" Naruto grinned brightly.
Sasuke huffed and stuck out his hand. I stared at it. He huffed again. "It's commonly known that the hand extended in help to you-"
"-is to be taken and accepted with gratitude. Yes, I know – page 46 point number 2 of Social Etiquette." He raised his eyebrow at me. Well, he's not the only one who memorizes stuff in this school! I smiled faintly at him, took his hand and he righted me when I wobbled as I stood. "Thank you."
I noticed Naruto giving him a knowing glance. Wonder what's up with that.
I got a good look at the people Naruto was with – all guys. Obviously, the nearest one to me was Sasuke. Next to him, wearing green spandex, is Lee, of course, hard to miss with his kind of hair. Then Kiba (he has red marks on his face! You see, I learned from the crash course from the girls!); Chouji (…no comment); Shikamaru (troublesome!); Neji (white eyes, dude – it's about as distinguishing as my pink hair); and Shino. Well, he's the only one left.
I suddenly feel itchy all over.
Shikamaru gave a fleeting glance at Sasuke (what is it with Sasuke and glances…) and turned to me. "You're the new girl. I remember when I was new…it was troublesome. At least I had friends, though." He reverted to his lazy pose.
"I do so have friends," I replied tersely. "Hinata, Ino, and Tenten." Neji started a little at Tenten's name.
…This is big news.
"Well, I guess you know my name, right?"
"Yes, of course! Sakura, what a youthful name!" Lee exclaimed. We all winced.
"…Hn."
"Mhrmmhrmm," was all I got from Chouji. I assume it's difficult to greet someone while stuffing chips into your mouth at lightning speed at the same time.
"You aren't going back home like the rest of the girls?" Kiba asked me.
"Nah, I think I want to walk around the campus a bit today."
We started walking, and they resumed the conversation that they had before I – ahem – bumped Sasuke.
"Yeah, about the news last night. Remember those two scientists that died a few years ago in an accident?" Kiba asked.
"What scientists?" I questioned curiously.
"You don't tell me you don't know?" Neji said incredulously. "It was all over the news. The supposed car accident was not an accident, but murder, apparently."
"That's awful!" I cried. Lee and Shino nodded at me in agreement.
"Well, who wouldn't want to kill them, the person who did it probably wanted to get his hands on the elixir of everlasting life or whatever that they were developing," Shikamaru shrugged.
"Everlasting life?" I asked again, this time a bit ashamed that I wasn't able to keep up with the news.
"Yes." We all started – it was Sasuke who answered. "Everlasting life. It's supposed to make you immortal in some way." He rolled his eyes. Itis quite hard to believe something like that could exist, anyway.
Well, whatever. It's a day off, I shouldn't be thinking so much.
"Did you find her yet, Kabuto?" Orochimaru's slithering voice came from the other side of the room. He walked silently towards him.
"No, not yet. I sent Sakon and Ukon to look for her," Kabuto replied smoothly, giving away no fear.
"How is it so difficult that you need to send them both?" Orochimaru hissed, and at this Kabuto winced a little. "She has pink hair and is the daughter of two known scientists. She has pink hair. Am I working with fools now?"
"I need more time, Orochimaru," Kabuto bristled slightly at his comment.
"You have two weeks," he hissed softly back, "two weeks. I need the object desperately. Two weeks and nothing more."
"SASUKE-KUUUUN!!!"
"MAAAARRY MEEEEEEE!!!"
"What the-"
"SAAAAAASUKEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
"Ouch, damnit, get the hell off me!" I snapped at one girl.
"OH MY GOD IT'S HIM!!!"
"GET HIM GIRLS!!!"
There was a little scuffle, a large cloud of dust, and then…
…Peace.
Lovely. Brushing nonexistent dirt off my sleeve, I am a proud survivor of a fangirl ambush-attempted murder. Hurrah.
Well, I guess I'm on my own right now. Where should I go? There or there?
"Sakon, is this the school?"
"I'm positive, Ukon. Our target is a pink haired girl. Not very hard to find, I should think."
Well, this is just amazing! I'm at the main entrance right now, lost and being jostled by random people…great. Oh, who are those 2 people there? I can't see them…damn this sunlight.
Ukon stopped suddenly and stared at a girl. "Hey Sakon, look, pink hair!" he hissed.
"I think that's her!" Sakon replied triumphantly.
They don't look like they're from around these parts…why are they looking in my direction?
"She's looking right at us, Ukon, what the hell do we do?"
"We go straight up to her looking suave and innocent, Sakon," Ukon replied seriously.
Maybe I should run…but then they'll probably just run after me…oh what do I do what do I do what do I do…
"We better hurry now, Ukon, or she'll run away and we'll miss our chance."
"Let's get cracking."
It looks like they're coming closer! What do they want from me, damn it! Okay, stay calm, everything will be all right. I'm in my happy place. My happy place. Happy…place…happy…oh my god, they're here.
"Excuse me! Come on Ukon!"
"What do you want?" asked a girl with pink hair and dark brown eyes.
"Are both your parents still alive?" Sakon demanded. She looked at him frostily.
"Are both of you from a mental hospital?" the pink haired girl retorted. They both looked highly affronted. "Why should I answer you? It's a stupid question."
"Because if you don't, you're coming with us."
"What the – hey, am I on Punk'd? Where's Ashton? Or are you guys just rapists? Well damn you – hey, let go of me, freak! I'm a black belt in karate!"
"Oh, would you shut up? Can you just answer our damned question?" Ukon said in frustration.
"My parents are alive, fine, well, and would definitely be kicking you right now if they saw what you're doing to me, you freak!" she screeched at them both. They winced at the volume of her voice.
They stared at each other. She had pink hair, but her parents were alive. Should they believe her or not?
Luckily, she made their decision for them by biting both their hands. They yelped loudly and let go.
She gave them one last icy glare and stomped off in the other direction. They sighed.
"We lost another trail again."
"Hey, do you need anything? You look a little lost," a man with a lined face asked her. He stood upright and dignified, but you never know who you're talking to these days.
…Gosh, I'm beginning to sound like an old woman.
The man was accompanied with a tall man with fish like features, and had a sword. A huge sword, actually.
…Wait, a sword? I am positive that I haven't seen him anywhere on the news alerts about people to watch out for…hopefully.
Oh no.
"Huh? Oh, no sorry…I'll be – going now…ehe…" I stammered, intimidated by their hulking presences.
The man smiled unexpectedly. It looked like he wasn't used to doing stuff like that, but it was comforting to know he actually knew how to. He extended his hand. "I'm Itachi, and this is Kisame, my bodyguard."
Whoa. The guy had a freaking bodyguard.
"Ah, okay. Hi? I'm Sakura. Well…I have to go now. Bye!" I waved hurriedly and raced off. I continued running until I was sure I was at least fifty meters clear of that sword.
Stopping abruptly and holding the stitches on my side, I looked up and groaned. Once again, people, I am lost. Darn it.
Something solid touched my shoulder. I froze, not daring to look back.
"Hey," a voice said.
A/N: Oh, who'sthat now? Poor Sakura XD. Getting lost is hard stuff, I can relate.
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