Chapter nine: You Make Me Feel Like Life is Worth Living.

I DON'T OWN NARUTO! MASASHI KISHIMOTO DOES! YOU CAN'T SUE ME!

R&R

Not sure of the pairings yet. Ideas are very much welcome. ^_^

Sakura recovered fully in a few days and was back at school once more. She was called to Orochimaru's office shortly after homeroom to give him an update since she had been hospitalized. "He's ready for you Haruno-san." The secretary said. Sakura nodded and headed into the office silently.

"Sakura let's start this quick session with how you've been holding up." Orochimaru said. "Well I'm doing better now that my father is gone and I'm safe again. For sure this time. I'm also saddened that my father has let this fester for so long that he felt death was his only option for us to be a family again with my mother and brother." Sakura replied. "I see. And what else would you like to talk about?" Orochimaru asked, giving her the opportunity to speak her mind. Like he usually did when he talked with her. "My friend Tenten is thinking about coming to see you too. She's got some bad past baggage she wants to get rid of so to speak...but I can't make her. She has to come on her own. I feel much safer in Konoha than I have felt in years. The people here are kind and it's just what I needed to begin healing." Sakura replied. Orochimaru made a few notes. "I'm merely making a few notes about your stay here in Konoha and how you have progressed." He explained when she looked at him curiously. Sakura nodded.

"Our time is up for today Sakura. However the offer to call when you need someone to talk to still stands. I take it you still have my card?" Orochimaru asked. "Oh yes. I most certainly do. You've been an enormous help in my life since I got here and it's because of you that I'm able to stand people again." Sakura replied. Orochimaru smiled. "I'm glad to hear that." He said. Sakura left for her next period, slip in hand, and smiled. 'I feel like I can live again.' She thought as she headed to her class.

"How was it?" Tenten asked. "Good. He seemed to be glad I was recovered and wants to see you if you're willing to go." Sakura replied. Tenten nodded and they returned to paying attention to the teacher. "It's Friday so I'll make an appointment for Monday. I'll do it after school." She replied. Sakura nodded. "Alright." She said. Sakura turned back to the board as the teacher called on her to answer a question. She did so and class went on. Sakura turned when she felt eyes on her back and glared when she made eye contact with Sasuke. He smirked and blew a kiss at her, prompting Sakura to flip him the bird and turn away from him. "He won't stop messing with you until you make him stop." Tenten said as she kept facing forward. Sakura sighed. "I know." She replied tiredly.

"How's my woman doing?" Sasuke asked with a leer. Sakura ignored the ravenette as she switched her books out for the books she'd be needing for the rest of the day. "I'm talking to you." Sasuke said arrogantly. "Oh were you? I'm afraid I don't speak arrogant bastard." Sakura replied as she shut her locker and twirled the lock to reset it. "You can't deny me forever. No woman can." Sasuke said. Sakura snorted. "I would never date a guy like you. Not even if you were the only viral male on the planet and we were tasked with saving humanity. I would let humanity die." She replied icily as she headed toward Shino's locker.

Sakura smiled when Shino draped his arm around her in a hug. "How did the session go?" He asked. "Good. Tenten is making an appointment with him as well." Sakura replied. "That's good. She needs to get some help moving on from her past too. She just hides it better." Shino said. He shut his locker and Sakura waited patiently for him to twist the lock. "So I'm thinking about committing murder. Should I talk to Doc Orochi about that?" She asked lightly as they walked past Sasuke. "Perhaps. He'd probably tell you it was a deep-seated fear of something though." Shino laughed. Sakura laughed too and Sasuke glared at her friend. "What's his deal?" Shino asked. "He's mad cuz I won't play house." Sakura replied breezily as she put him from her mind.

"I'm going to gouge that little bastard's eyes out if he doesn't quit looking at you." Gaara said dangerously as he sat next to Sakura in history. Sakura smiled. "Easy killer." She teased. Gaara glared and Sakura sighed. "I wasn't joking about not bailing you out anymore. If you get sent to jail one more time, you'll stay." She said. "I know. I just hate that bastard." Gaara growled. Sakura smiled. "I know." She said. The teacher went on to lecture them and Sakura tuned him out, knowing she could get the notes from any one of her friends. She was busy thinking about how she was going to redecorate her house in the aftermath of her near death. Sakura was coming to like the people she had befriended and the fact that she was now safe. It was a novel experience that she would hold onto with all her being.

Please R&R. I like hearing feedback. However don't use a review as an excuse to be a dick. If you do, I will be a dick right back.