xXx
Sakura's POV
The doctor steps out of his operating room.
Immediately both parents spring up from their chairs, rushing over frantically to be greeted with whatever news the doctor has to give.
"How is he?" The blonde father asks, gripping his wife's hand tightly. His eyes are tired, painted beneath them are purple bags that show his sleepless nights fueled by worry and anticipation.
The red-haired wife only stares at the doctor, tapping her foot aimlessly as if she doesn't get the news soon she might just burst.
Burst with tears of joy or tears of anguish. Well, that deeply depends on the news doesn't it?
I simply sit there, slumped over and shaking, as my ears are open to whatever the answer the doctor gives.
"Success." The doctor says, a small smile tugging at her lips. I scan her face, noticing that fresh sweat glistens on her forehead, her beach blonde hair is pulled up in a tangled mess, and it seems that her teeth are chattering not from the chill of the air but from the anxiety of a surgery.
Holding one's life in your hands must take quite an emotional toll on someone.
Upon hearing of the success of the surgery, the couple beams and embraces each other.
"He's okay, he's okay."Kushina cries tears of joy and relief into her husband's shoulder, crumpling the back of his jacket with her own two hands.
"I knew it." He murmurs into her hair, relief washing over his features.
I quickly rise, passing the rejoicing couple, and stand before Tsunade.
"Thank you." I say, the words leaving my lips, gentle and shaky from all of the shock and joy coursing through my body and mind.
"Thank you!" I say louder, tackling the blonde hero. She stumbles back; chuckling as she does so, and gently pets my hair.
"You're a sweet girl, he's lucky to have you Sakura."Tsunade says, and I feel a shy smile tug at my lips. Releasing from the unexpected hug, I look to the door.
"Can I go see him?" I ask eagerly, ready to wrap my fingers in his, run my hands down his cheeks, just be with him, talk to him.
She bites her lower lip and shakes her head.
"Not yet, he's currently sleeping and as of right now only family is allowed to visit." She says, spying over me and looking at the couple who are listening intently, hands intertwined and all. "I'm sorry Sakura." A small hint of disappointment waves over me, but I ignore it simply and focus on the fact that he's alive.
He's alive.
Those two words hit me like a breath of fresh air. He's in there, sleeping, breathing, dreaming, living.
"Sakura!" A brunette cries out, rushing up to me.
"You're smiling…Sakura you're smiling!" She exclaims, jumping into a hug excitedly as we both bounce around.
"So that means he's okay?" She asks, after we've released from our little squealing fest.
I laugh, oh how much I've missed laughing, and reply smiling even bigger.
"Yes, he's going to be okay. He just needs to recover so we can't see him yet, but he's going to be okay." I say, and honestly I feel like I'm floating.
He's going to be okay.
That sentence just may have made me the happiest girl on the face of this earth.
"So the dead animal pulled through."Gaara teases approaching from behind Matsuri. He earns a slightly hard whack on the shoulder from Matsuri and a roll of the eyes from me.
"I'm just teasing, sheesh." He defends, heading for the operating room and turning the knob.
"Woah, only family mister." The blonde's father says, pulling him aside and stepping in with his wife. The door shuts right in Gaara's face.
Gaara gives the door one of his signature scowls and turns around to face us. He crosses his arms over his chests and mutters something about stupid hospital terms before heading in some kind of direction to who knows where.
"I'll be in my room." He shouts out before turning the corner. Matsuri only groans and I chuckle nervously.
"GET BACK HERE!" Matsuri shouts after him, giving me a small apologetic smile before rushing off to follow the redhead.
Upon her disappearing I lean heavily against the wall and slide down so that my head rests in the gap between my propped up knees.
Smiling softly into my baggy sweats, my mind flutters to the blonde whom is sleeping soundly just a room away.
And before I know it, I'm fast asleep on some cold tiled floor in a hallway of the hospital.
Dreaming about my cancer survivor.
xXx
Gaara's POV
"Oh, isn't it just wonderful? Naruto has survived cancer, and a very harsh one at that! I'm just so glad he's going to be okay." Matsuri says, a bright smile on her lips while she's running around my room, scribbling down on some paper and changing my pills with new ones.
"If only I could see him." I mumble grumpily, throwing a stress ball into the air lazily while leaning my head back against my rough pillow.
She rolls her eyes at my behavior.
"They're hospital terms, don't go breaking them." She warns, narrowing her eyes at me and pointing a finger. I keep a blank face, focusing on the ball flying into the air and landing onto my hand.
To think he actually made it out alive, I'll be honest I had my doubts.
A small silence settles in nicely as she scribbles some things down on a sheet of paper and I continue tossing the vibrant red ball in my hand.
"Let's play a game." I say, causing her to stop writing and a lift a curious eyebrow.
"What kind of game?" She asks, putting down her pen and giving me her full attention.
"Whoever has the ball has to answer the other's question, honestly." I say, tossing the ball over to her. She catches it, just barely, and looks at me awaiting a question.
"Did you enjoy our date?" I ask, and the small frown that plasters on her face does not go unnoticed.
She hesitates awkwardly, tossing the ball from one hand to the other before opening her mouth to answer.
I beat her to it.
"Nevermind don't answer that." I say rather quickly, trying not to show any signs of embarrassment.
When have I become so pathetic? I knew I should have never taken that blonde's advice.
"Follow up question. Favorite color?" I say, starting off simple.
She puts a thoughtful finger to her chin and her eyes scan the ceiling.
Wow, she's actually this thought…I guess this is going pretty well.
"Periwinkle." She answers, shrugging her shoulders before tossing the ball over to me. It lands in my hands perfectly.
"Periwinkle, what a nice color. Too bad it's my least favorite." I say smirking, earning a small role of eyes from the brunette nurse.
"Okay, it's my turn now." She says, sitting down on the stool and crossing one leg over the other.
A small silence settles in as she scans my face, narrowing her eyes as her mind processes a question.
A small crease forms just between her brows, and I notice her foot tapping lightly against the bars of the stool.
"All this time, you've been my patient I never really got to hear your story. So what is it? Why are you hospitalized?" She asks gently, her eyes turning soft as she realizes she's entered quite a personal topic.
So I ask her the simplest question in my book and she throws this heartfelt deep question at me.
How cruel.
Clearing my throat awkwardly, I shift my weight in my bed and toss the ball in the air with an effortless toss.
"It's quite a long story…" I trail, feeling myself getting lost in my memories. The memories I've been trying to push to the back of my mind and not think about. The memories that haunt my nightmares, that cause me to wake up involuntarily shaking and sweating, gasping for air as if I'm drowning.
Noticing my pained grimace, she seats herself on the bed and gently takes my hand in hers.
"It's okay, you don't have to answer. I'm sorry I brought it up." She says softly, her eyes glazed with genuine care.
I hesitate, opening my mouth a little before closing it shut.
If I tell her, will she think differently of me?
What if she…she becomes afraid?
Her chocolate orbs stare into mine, and I feel as if they melt my cold exterior, causing me to become the boy that I was only a few months ago. The boy who didn't know the pains and misery of loss.
And for some strange reason, the story that I have only ever shared to those most precious to me, is spilt and fills the ears of the brunette sitting beside me.
Her warm hand never once leaves mine, even when I speak of the death of my mother, the coldness and hatred of my father, and the deep hole I've dug myself into, not once does her hand leave mine.
It's been awhile since someone has cared.
And I miss the feeling.
The feeling of not being alone.
xXx
Naruto's POV
My heavy azure orbs flutter open, blinded immediately by the intense fluorescent light that hangs overhead. Blinking to flush away the haze, I focus and realize that I'm still stuck in the crummy hospital room surrounded by the same four toilet white walls.
A numbing sensation runs throughout my body, small tingly feelings creep up my toes and nudge their way in, reminding me that I still do have body parts. My head feels foggy, and quite frankly I feel as if this all just may be a dream.
"Naruto?" A sweet voice asks, and the sound of small footsteps draws closer. Long strands of beat red hair fall into sight and a soft smile spreads across my chapped lips.
"Mom?" I croak, my voice sounding hoarse. The small pain of simply speaking leaves me coughing and quickly my mother draws a straw to my lips. I slurp up the cool water, and clear my throat a little.
Gently, she draws my hand in hers and begins to speak of how worried she had been and how my father has just gone to go and pick up some beverages for the two. Turns out it's six in the morning, and I'm awake from my surgery.
Awake and alive.
I zone out from her chatter, the gleam of unshed tears going unnoticed that peak at the corner of her eyes, and nonetheless feel my mind becoming hazy yet again.
So many questions scatter in my mind, but I have no energy in me to begin relaying them to my mother.
"Naruto, are you even listening?" My mom asks, putting on a playful frustration and I only smile weakly.
"I'm so glad you're okay, everything from here on out will only get better." She pipes up, putting on a bright smile and giving my hand a soft squeeze.
"What did Granny say?" I manage to choke out, and immediately after speaking I feel a wave of exhaustion wash over me. My mother notices my tired eyes and frowns slightly.
"Why don't you get some rest, you seem exhausted. Lady Tsunade will surely explain everything to you once you wake up." She leans over and gives my cheek a quick peck.
"You won Naruto, you won."
And that's the last thing I hear before my lids fall like rocks and I'm brought back into the sugar coated fantasy world of dreams.
"How long?" A masculine voice asks.
"Perhaps a few months, it all depends on the patient really. But, no need to worry there aren't any more cancer cells in him. His body is simply tired out from all the excessive chemo, but with time he will be back to his old self…although not fully I suppose." A strong feminine voice speaks next, and the sound of a pen scribbling something down is heard.
"Thank goodness." Another voice says, softly letting go of a breath of relief.
Cracking my eyes just a smidge open, I recognize that my parent's are speaking with Granny.
The room now is dark; the only thing keeping it lit is the small night-light and the moonlight that pours into the room from the window.
"Thank you Tsunade, we can't even begin to show just how thankful we are. You saved his life." My father speaks, and I notice the small glint of tears filling up in his crystal eyes.
My mother squeezes his hand tightly and Tsunade only gives them a warm smile.
"I'm glad he's okay. It's a miracle he survived." She says, smiling at the two, her lips curling up and her posture relaxing. I notice rough bags under her eyes, and her brow is just a tad shiny with the small beads of sweat lining her hairline.
She looks utterly exhausted.
"Oi, Granny…" I choke out, my voice barely a whisper. All eyes in the room turn to me and I force my chapped lips to curl up into a lazy smile.
"Thanks." I say, my voice a bit louder this time and I lift up my scrawny arm and lift my thumb just slightly. My mother's eyes glitter with tears, my father smiles warmly, and Granny…
"You should be resting you idiot." She mumbles, crossing her arms over her large chest and shooting me a deadly glare. But, I can see right through her. I can see the small smile curling up on her lips, the glint of relief and joy that course through those tired eyes, and most of all I can see that she's satisfied with a job well done.
"I guess you were right, no patient dies on you huh?" I joke, a small-exasperated chuckle leaving my lips.
She finally lets herself relax, rolling her eyes just slightly, before wiping a small tear.
"That's right." She says giving me a warm smile before turning to my parents.
"I'll give you three some time alone."
And with that she gives them both a small nod and exits the room.
"How are you feeling honey?" My mother asks, seating herself on the chair to my right. I turn my head to look at her and I notice that she's smiling warmly towards me.
My father takes a seat next to her, taking my hand in his.
"I've been better." I admit.
And I'm not lying. My insides feel like jello, I feel that every time I lift my chest to inhale oxygen my whole entire body might collapse, and keeping my eyes open is a struggle all in itself.
"The good news is that you're cancer is gone. Lady Tsuande says that a full recovery will take…" My father's voice trails and he swallows hard, biting back a handful of tears.
"3-5 years." He chokes out, giving my hand a soft squeeze.
I feel my breathing hitch.
3-5 years?
That's way too long!
"Don't stress Naruto, you will be out of the hospital before you know it. And no you won't be staying here for 3 years." My mother teases, brushing back my few greasy locks.
"Where's…Sakura?" I ask, feeling myself drifting back to sleep.
"She's waiting outside for you, but she won't be able to visit for a little while." My father answers.
My heart flutters a little.
She's waiting for me? Gosh, I miss her so much. I want her to come in right now, to sniff up her sweet scent of vanilla, to feel her warm hand caress my cheek, to be able to gently touch those plump lips with my own.
And I don't even notice that I've already drifted to sleep, thinking about the pinkette.
xXx
Sakura's POV
It's been two days, two friggin long days.
I've overworked myself during my job, constantly taking long shifts trying to keep myself busy. Because it seems that every time I'm sitting alone at home my mind wanders back to that goofy blonde and his lop sided grin.
And to be completely honest it makes me homesick.
Running a hand through my tangled pink locks, I slump down in the uncomfortable hospital seat and glance around the room. The clock reads 9:34 pm.
I've made it my routine, to come here after I've finished my schoolwork, and sit in the waiting room hoping that someone will come in and tell me that I'm able to visit him.
I've been trying to be polite, give a small clean smile when the nurses apologize and say only family can visit, but honestly now that it's been two days and I know he's awake I just want to see him.
"Sakura?" A voice asks, sounding very loud in the deadly silent waiting room. It breaks my thoughts and causes me to jump a little out of shock.
Shocked to see the crimson haired bad boy wrapped up in a blanket and holding a steaming hot chocolate in his cup, I give him a warm smile and let out a breath.
"Gaara, you scared me." I say, and he only rolls his eyes.
"Yes, because wearing a blanket and holding a cup of hot chocolate is scary." He jokes, taking a seat next to me and sipping on his drink.
"You're waiting to see him too huh?" He asks, eyeing me and then staring at the corridor that leads to many of the rooms where patients are being held, the blonde being one of them.
"Yeah." I say softly, a sad smile forming on my lips.
"Then come on, let's go. I just saw his parents leave to go grab a bite to eat…his room is empty from visitors." Gaara says, the gleam of mischief in his eyes goes unnoticed and I gulp.
"Gaara we can't, what if we get caught?" I ask, grabbing his hand so that he doesn't run off. He stays in his seat under my grip and scowls.
"We won't if we leave right now. Come on don't you want to see him?"
He stands up, ripping his hand from my grip, and slurps up the rest of his drink. Chucking it halfway across the room, it misses the waste bin by a long shot; he turns around and begins to head down the long hallway.
What a litter bug.
I bite my lip, and before I can think through our small scheme, I bounce up and run after the mischievous redhead.
"Gaara wait!"
We race down the halls, hiding behind trashcans, holding our breaths, and tripping up the stairs, and we finally make it to our destination.
Standing before the door, I feel myself growing nervous.
What if he doesn't recognize me? What if he doesn't want to see me?
What if he…-
My thoughts are come to a close when a gentle hand lands on my shoulders and I look up to see Gaara with a tight knit smile motioning me to open the door.
Gulping down my worries and fears I turn the knob.
The strong scent of medicine hits my nostrils almost immediately and the beeping of the heart monitor rushes into my ears. Small snores fill the room and I smile noticing that they belong to none other than Naruto Uzumaki himself.
Gaara takes the time to rush over to him and scan him up and down.
I do so as well, slowly sitting down in the green chair that's inches away from his bed.
His breathing is slow, his chest rises and falls, but I notice that he's so skinny, too skinny. His forehead is beaded with fresh sweat, he's gripping the sides of the bed gently, and his skin is so pale it's noticeable even against the engulfing darkness of the room.
But, he's alive.
"Hey Naruto." I whisper, grazing my hand over his gently.
I force a small smile, but on the inside I feel broken.
He looks so sick, so vulnerable. It sends a pang of hurt through my chest, but I curl my fingers softly against his and take in a deep breath.
"I'm glad you're doing okay, you had me, all of us, so worried." I say, choking up a little and Gaara only chuckles light heartedly.
I shoot him a glare, and he shuts up.
"Come on wake up, your girlfriend is going to cry here and I don't want to deal with her all alone." Gaara complains, shaking Naruto's shoulder lightly.
Girlfriend…that has a nice ring to it. I could get used to that.
I'm about to whack Gaara straight across the face for disturbing the slumbering blonde, but a small groan escapes his lips and his eyes flutter open.
Those beautiful vibrant blue eyes.
"G-Gaara?" He chokes out, his voice raspy and tired.
And my eyes shoot up to notice that moist tears fill the corners of his icy teal eyes.
Back track for just a second…is Gaara crying?
"I knew you had it in you." Gaara says light heartedly, patting Naruto on the shoulder.
Naruto chuckles lightly, and I notice that the energy has not left him one bit.
"Guess so. Hey I thought you weren't allowed to be in here?" He asks. Gaara only smirks, his trademark smirk.
"Your girlfriend was dying to see you, I couldn't just let her sulk in the waiting room all night." He teases, pointing over to me.
The minute his eyes meet mine I feel all of the tears flood my vision. The tears of joy, worry, anguish, just all the feelings mesh into those moist droplets.
"Sakura…" He breathes, his eyes wide and glossy. A small smile spreads across his chapped lips, and I feel my chest becoming tight. My insides churn as those vibrant eyes continue to stare into mine.
"Hey, I'm uh, gonna stand watch." Gaara mutters awkwardly, leaving the scene and shutting the door quietly behind him.
I continue staring into his bright blue orbs, feeling myself melt as they glisten in the moonlight.
"I missed you so much." I finally bring myself to say, giving his hand a small squeeze.
"I never stopped thinking about you, I'm so glad you're doing okay. If I were to lose you…" I trail, letting the tears fall freely and not daring to wipe them. He gives me a sad smile, and raises his weak hand to wipe a tear from my eyes.
"Don't cry Sakura-chan." He coos, and I lean into his warm touch.
"You did it." He mumbles, his eyes sparkling. I'm caught off guard slightly, giving him an odd look.
"What do you mean?"
"You're my perfect match aren't you?"
I swallow hard, feeling the lump in my throat grow.
"I-I don't know, they never told me." I mumble and feel my cheeks grow hot. He chuckles softly and it warms my heart.
We both fall into a small silence, relishing the fact that we are both able to enjoy each other's company.
"3-5 years." He says softly, and my eyes open wide.
"That long?" I ask, and I feel his weak grip on my hand grow stronger.
"Yeah…it sounds scary right?" He asks, looking over at me and I notice that he looks so lost.
I can't even begin to imagine how he must be feeling right now.
"It sounds scary, it doesn't mean it has to be scary." I say, feeling a grip of confidence lace around my voice. "I'm not going to leave you Naruto, I'll be here with you every step of your recovery."
"You'd do that?" He asks, his voice breaking slightly and his eyes filled with hope.
"Of course, I love you don't I?" I tease, a wide smile playing on my lips. He smiles as well, mirroring mine.
Gosh, I love this kid so much.
I don't give him time to respond, before gently kissing his dry lips. I expected them to be cold, but the tingling warmth that lingers on them warm my own, and the beating in my chest quickens rapidly.
How I missed his kisses, the warmth of his lips against mine, the small groans that escape both of our lips simultaneously, the way our fingers interlock.
We both release and it leaves me breathless.
"Wow." He murmurs with a low voice, sending a roar of shivers down my spine.
And this time it's his turn to leave me without a response. He pulls me in and kisses me passionately. I hang over his laying body, propping my knee up so that I can steady myself and not fall over him. My long pink locks tickle is cheeks and he smiles under my lips.
I feel his moist tongue graze my bottom lip asking for entrance, and soon enough our tongues are dancing to the beating of our hearts.
Thousands of emotions are poured into this one simple kiss. The blonde's rough lips, and yearning tongue scream that he's missed me that he's longed to be with me. It shows his desperation, his yearn for love and affection. Just how lonely he was during his time stuck in this crummy hospital room.
"Sakura, we gotta move his parents are coming up the stairs!" Gaara shouts, stomping into the room and then freezing when he realizes what he's just barged into.
"Is it hot in here or…?"
I don't let him finish.
Pulling away from Naruto, I shoot him a small and flustered smile before whacking Gaara on the head.
"Come on, move twinkle toes!" I scream out to Gaara and wave goodbye to Naruto.
Gaara huffs out a breath of annoyance as he watches me fly out of the room.
"Seriously how do you deal with her?" He asks the grinning blonde.
"You learn to love her." Naruto says beaming, and Gaara only rolls his eyes.
He bids his goodbyes and rushes out the door, following a flustered pinkette.
We make a turn around the corner and practically topple over each other.
I slump down against the wall, feeling my heated cheeks.
"So…is he a good kisser?"
Whack!
xXx
AN: OMMMMMMMMMMG THIS CHAPTER IS LONG.
I hope you all like it, lots of fluff and cute moments in this one!
Please leave a review and thank you to everyone for supporting this fic so far! It's not over yetttt (;
Until next chapter, toodles~