Hi friends! Don't be alarmed this is the SAME story, just a different title. Changed from 'Wholeness' to 'Aftereffect' felt it was more fitting. I was really hoping to get this up over the weekend but never got the chance to finish it in time... Big Thankyou to all who reviewed!
KHautumn21597- Lol, it will be confirmed this Chapter. ;)
MissKonoha- Yes it was sweet Naruto and Oh, yes it going to get steamy this chapter! :)
wewey- Thank you, so glad you like it! :)
UchihaSanNin- Thank you! Hope this was soon enough! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
...Carry on.
Chapter Five: Unforeseen Circuimstances
Here you are down on your
knee's again, trying to find air to
breathe again, and only surrender
will help you now, I love you please
see and believe again.
-Flyleaf
"Mmm..."
The slender rosette groaned as she snuggled deeper into her sheets. Half-asleep she could feel her head pounding ruthlessly and buried her face into her pillow, hoping to get some relief. Heaving a sigh, she caught a whiff of something floral.
What was that scent, lavender? ...It was heavenly. Although Sakura didn't recall using that softener for her sheets ...Maybe Ino had washed it for her? None the less it was nice-
"P-pork ramen."
...Was that - was that Naruto's voice?
Her darkened green eyes snapped open and body hurtled upright - only to regret the quick motion right after. Sakura was affronted with blinding white. Her eyes squeezed shut as her head ached harder. She slanted her palms across her forehead, hoping the pressure would help.
Squinting her eyes open a moment later, she found lush bed-sheets - which she was currently occupying - surrounded by white transparent curtains coming down on all sides of the bed, caging her in. Taking in all the details, she realized it was a canopy bed - an Oak wood canopy bed. Sakura was momentarily awestruck, it was absolutely beautiful - but where was - this wasn't her dorm room? How did she get...? Oh. Her eyes widened as last nights events came rushing back to her. The football game, then the alley, Neji's race, Naruto and that Suigetsu guy, Sasuke, and the chase.(totally rhymed)
Last night, it all really happened.
"I said pork r-ramen you jerk," the blonde slurred from somewhere within the room.
She now had a migraine.
Hastily pulling the sheets off of her, she crawled to the edge of the wide bed and pulled the curtains back - immediately spotting the blonde sprawled on the floor. He almost looked precious, sleeping on his side, clutching his pillow as if it were a teddy bear. Muttering curse words to the chef that got his ramen order wrong. It almost made her feel guilty to wake him.
"Naruto... wake up."
"I said-"
"Naruto."
"-Your f-fired Mister Chef."
"...Naru-"
"Fired!"
She slapped him.
Naruto groaned before his blue eyes squinted open to look up at his would-be attacker, "Sak? ...Did you just whack me?" He rubbed his cheek exaggeratedly.
"You were gonna fire that poor man over pork ramen."
"What-what are you talking about?"
"...Nothing, Naruto where are we?"
"Nice room huh? You knocked out on our way here, I was originally gonna put you to bed and go to the room next door but never made it and passed out on the floor." He smiled sheepishly.
"So we, got out of there in time? We - we made it." The blonde saw the surprise and skepticism on her face.
"Of course we made it out Sak, piece of cake."
She was about to give him a very sarcastic retort when she heard someone screech her name.
"SAKURA!" The door to the room burst open with great force, causing it to slam and echo over the walls. Ino looked pale, as she ran straight for the rosette(nearly taking off Naruto's head)and tackled her back down to the bed.
"Ino!"
"Oh my gosh Sakura, I was so worried! I couldn't sleep, thank goodness your okay!" The blonde's voice was muffled due to having her face buried in the crook of Sakura's neck.
The rosette wrapped her arms around her,"I was worried about you, when they showed up - I had no idea where you were, or if you had got out in time, or-"
"I was fine! Shika got us out of there and we stayed on Hyuuga's tail... And since you weren't with Hyuuga, I knew you were with Naruto but you two were no-where in sight and I panicked!"
"I know we-"
"Were with Sasuke I know, we all saw! He literally smoked everyone! Oh my gosh the way he moved, Sakura I was mesmerized ."
Yeah, and I was nauseous, Sakura remembered feeling like she was going to fall off the bike at any given second.
The blonde girl shifted comfortably against Sakura, "I'm just so glad we're all okay," and sighed in relief.
"Seriously... I'm enjoying this and all but you two sound like Rose and Jack from the titanic." Naruto said from his still-sprawled position on the floor.
As if they had forgotten he was in the room, both girls moved and sat up to a more appropriate position.
"Hey I said I didn't mind-"
"Shut up Naruto." Ino vexed.
The rosette sighed heavily, "So where are we?" She questioned a second time.
"Hyuuga residence." Ino answered easily, examining her freshly painted finger-nails as she did.
"How - why?"
"Because the wolf-pack stays together, especially under dire circumstances." Naruto grinned, as he stretched like a cat on the floor.
"Yeah, we all came here last night." Ino added.
"Why here and not our dorms?" Sakura raised a brow quizzically, she was starting to get tired of these half-answers.
"..."
"Naruto!"
"Okay, okay! Jeez Sakura your a grouchy-pants in the morni-OW! ...Okay!" He paused to rub his now-sore shoulder where Sakura had swatted, causing her to roll her eyes at his delaying antics.
He started with a sigh, "Anytime there's a 'code red' at the alley, we don't go back to our dorms that night."
Code Red? She did recall him using the word the night before,"Why?"
"In case we're being followed, I know, hard to believe with how fast we are... It was actually that loser Kiba that got followed once-" noticing Sakura's glare intensify he quickly finished, "when our homes come into view, the cops retreat."
Her brows creased low at that,"...Why?"
"Because, we're the law."
Sakura sighed in exasperation, honestly she had to go in circles to get some answers out of him. He did it on purpose, or he didn't trust her... The latter surprisingly hurt. Sakura liked to think they were at a level where he could trust her with secrets; information. They had taken them to the 'exclusive' alley after all ...Right? She shook off the onslaught of questions still on her mind, she would just ask Tenten later she decided. Pushing off the bed she stood, stifling a yawn and stretched.
What time was it?
She checked her pockets for her phone, only then realizing she was still in her skirt and floral top from last night. Running a hand through her wild hair, she imagined probably looking hell, she sure felt like it. She needed a shower, and was about to suggest going back to their dorms when Naruto spoke, "Its 10:30am, your cell's down stairs, bathroom's right there," he pointed to the very right of the room,"Then come down for food."
Woah, when did Naruto become so attentive?
The boy on the floor finally stood up, yawning loudly he stretched again and silently left the room, but not before popping his head back in to add, "Don't take too long, I'll eat everything."
Sakura waved him off, and waited. Confident that he was gone, she turned to Ino beside her,"We're leaving right? Let's go, I need a shower."
"Leaving? Just shower here, I did. Hinata already gave me clothes for you... Then lets go down and eat I'm starving."
"Ino, I don't feel comfortable-"
The blonde huffed dramatically, before grabbing her best friend and dragging her over to the bathroom, "Oh come on forehead! There are a million bathrooms in this damn mansion, no one is gonna know or notice that you used this one.. And I'm seriously famished." She pulled Sakura inside and pushed the clothes Hinata had given into her hands.
"I'm waiting out here."
"No, you go eat. I'll come down when I'm done pig." The strawberry-blonde sighed dejectedly. The nick-name suits her well at the moment, Sakura thought.
"You sure-"
"Go." She pushed the blonde out and closed the door.
Sakura sighed for the umpteenth time as she leaned her head against the door. What a crazy weekend... So many things could have gone wrong last night, didn't they understand that? Naruto was as cool as a cucumber and Ino was simply thrilled with all of it. She honestly should have expected such from her wild best-friend... Sakura silently wondered how the others were fairing, and the image of dark ebony locks with eyes to match flashed through her mind... Sasuke Uchiha. He was just something else... She didn't know much about him but after last night, she could already tell that he was a difficult individual to read - making him all the more enigmatic. She would maintain a healthy distance from him. Not that she thought he was interested in her or anything, Sakura was sure she hadn't impressed him in any way thus far.
But she couldn't help wondering if he had spent the night here as well.
And your thoughts of Sasuke stop there.
She exhaled deeply, shaking her head - as if that would dispel the thoughts - she moved to the bath, turning on the shower, and began to undress.
What a ginormous bathroom. It had a built in tub that you could swim in, all the decor, soaps and towels were a soft cream color.
It was all simple, yet tasteful. She considered just staying in there all day.
Slipping into the bath, the hot spray of the shower instantly helped soothe her headache and tense muscles from the night before. This, wasbliss.
She would shower, eat, and they would leave.
That was the plan.
Finally reaching the last step of the ridiculously long staircase, her sandals landed on glossy white marble.
It appears the Hyuuga's have a thing for 'White,' Sakura silently decided.
Running a hand through her damp locks, she tugged 'Hinata's baby-blue skinny jeans up before adjusting the straps of her white tank-top - that hugged her waist and flowed down loosely, for good measure before making her way through the gorgeous house. Hoping she was going toward the kitchen where her friends would be found, she admired the artwork on the walls, pale decor and furnishings in several lounges as she passed through all the halls and rooms. She knew this was only one of many houses the Hyuuga's owned, having a couple at select cities. Hinata's actual home in Suna was the only one Sakura had been to and it was just as luxurious as this, if not more. Sakura always knew her shy friend had a cousin, whom she was extremely close to but never got any other details. The rosette only knew that Hinata would go out of town frequently to visit the cousin, which they obviously knew now, as Neji.
Sakura secretly envied their closeness... Although he was a tad too over-protective, he meant well and in some ways Sakura felt it was necessary. Hinata had not yet been exposed to the cruel realities and injustices of the world, making her too trusting; naive. The violet haired girl had always been sheltered, and restricted, her family made sure of that. They originally weren't even going to let her come to Konoha with Sakura and Ino until Neji got word and(thankfully)declared he would watch over her. And now, if a stranger were to see the two at first glance they would immediately assume they were siblings. Aside from their identical features, he easily fell into the big brother role. Always staying close, fighting off her admirers and she in turn, the complying little sister.
The rosette sighed, an emotion of longing sweeping over her and she mentally shook it off, Get a grip Haruno.
Her stomach grumbled then and Sakura inwardly wondered if everyone had already eaten, she wasn't a fan of eating alone. Not seeing a single soul for some time she was sure she was lost until catching sight of a maid passing through a room across the hall, carrying a tray of food.
Finally.
She entered the kitchen only to be immediately spotted, by Rock Lee.
He waved enthusiastically from across the kitchen,"Sakura you look so youthful after a shower!"
Quickly he began making his way over to her and Sakura in response unconsciously took a step back. Gracefully - backing up into the Butler, carrying a tray full of glass.
The sound of glass smashing into a million pieces against the tile floor echoed throughout the kitchen, followed by several thuds. Sakura had lost her balance upon the rear-end and slammed down flat onto her back. The butler fell onto his bottom, and in shock - watched the tray - as if in a hypnosis, as it rocked in circles around the broken glass.
"SAKURA!" Lee yelled dramatically as he raced over to her, shoving the anxious Butler aside, he got on his knee's and leaned over her frame.
Her fuzzy vision came into slight focus, to find him leaning over her. Way too close Lee, she tried to pull her face away to create some distance but sluggishly realized that wasn't possible due to lying flat on the ground. She felt his fingers brush over her and fought the oncoming shudder.
Even dizzy she felt her skin crawl when he touched - inspected her face and arms.
"Are you alright my blossom? Here let me help you."
Sure, anything for you to get out of my bubble, Sakura let him grab her by the wrists and slowly pull her up. She blinked back the blurriness of her eyes, and quickly retracted her arms out of his hold.
"Are you alright?" He asked again.
Was she? Taking a moment to examine herself, she looked pretty intact, a little dizzy sure but she'd survive. Ready to 'reassure' him and be on her way, she opened her mouth to answer but felt a warm liquid travel down her back. Automatically reaching a hand over her shoulder, she touched the overflowing warmth and brought her hand back to inspect its wetness. Blood. Her eyes widened painfully at the sight.
Her hand, soaked in blood.
Hands drenched in blood.
Sakura sucked in a sharp breath as images involuntarily began flashing through her mind.
Images of her hands covered in anothers blood... Her mothers.
She paled ghostly white as the memory of that day became sharper in her mind, causing her knee's to buckle.. She would have fallen right back onto the broken glass if it wasn't for the strong arms that steadied her shoulders from behind.
"Mom," she unknowingly whispered, as her emerald eyes hazed over and memories she had buried deep within her sanity resurfaced.
Blood covered the door handle, her heart thundered with dread as she pushed open the door with shaking hands.
Her mothers blood was splattered all over
"No."
Pale and limp on the floor, sodden in blood.
"M-mom," Sakura stood frozen, before her legs gave out...
Hesitantly she crawled over to her, cradling her body against her chest,"Oh God no, please-"
"No," She gasped and pushed off the person holding her from behind. Stumbling forward, she fell against the kitchen counter - leaning her upper body and forehead against the cool tile.
"Shhhh... Sakura, you know I'm dying"
"No your not! Hold on, I'm calling the ambulance."
"Lee, get me the first aid kit and some ice water. Now."
"I'm dying." She pressed her blood-stained hand against Sakura's cheek.
"Stop saying that!"
"Don't be afraid my love."
"Stop it."
"Don't be afraid-"
"I'm TERRIFIED!"
"Ter-terrifi-" She was stuck in the vision as though she was there and couldn't even utter the words. There wasn't enough air in the room. It was as though there was a python wrapped around her chest and neck choking the very life out of her. She clutched at her neck and the straps of her shirt still in a trance, the pressure was closing in and she knew everything would go black soon.
But then she moved.
Sakura didn't even feel the hands on her, as her body jerked away from the counter - she came face to face with, Sasuke.
When did he-?
He grabbed her by the waist and swiftly lifted her up onto the kitchen counter. Too fatigued to keep up-right or even process what was going on, she could only lean back against the cabinets for support, gasping for breath's. The pressure seemed to intensify then, causing the black spots invading her vision to expand. She felt her eyes drooping, and broke out into a cold sweat as the chills enveloped her scalp and arms. The intensity made her want to heave but the sensation made her forget the awful memory... anything was better than the images.
Barely conscious, Sakura didn't even notice him separating her legs to stand in-between them.
The raven-haired boy reached for her neck and gently drew her to him, resting her head against his chest.
Pulling her hair aside, he inspected the damage. She was bleeding from her lower back (it ran through her white shirt) and from a jagged cut on her left shoulder that appeared to be four inches wide - that seemed to be the main flower. He pressed a dry cloth against it firmly applying pressure, so it would clot.
Unsure of what was going on, Sakura pressed her weakened hands against his frame, trying pushing off of him.
But he held her still.
"Stop. You need to sit forward, deep breaths Haruno." He instructed, his voice betraying nothing. Lee appeared at his side then, wearing an odd expression on his face. Sasuke stayed in place, brows creasing with irritation at his incompetence when Lee remained unmoving. He silently reached over with his free hand, to take the kit, then the water from his hands.
"Let me-"
"Get lost."
"...But-"
"Leave." The young Uchiha turned his famous dark glare on Rock Lee. The boy gulped and flew to the door closest.
There was a ringing in her ears that would not discontinue, opening her clenched eyes she found a brown paper bag appear in her line of vision. Disoriented (and unable to process its purpose) she let him grab her hand and curl it around the mouth of the paper bag. Bringing it up to her lips, she understood and began taking weak breaths. His hand covered hers until she gathered some strength back in her arms. Sakura vaguely felt him grasp her other hand, and was about to cease her breathing method to question him until she felt cloth press against it and swiped repeatedly... He was cleaning the blood breath hitched and she quickly resumed her breathing.
Sakura gradually felt herself coming back but now felt that going back to bed was a severly tempting option. She was completely drained. Finally ceasing the breathing exercise, she let the paper bag drop away from her lips. Feeling her eyes droop in exhaustion now, her head bobbed... but that didn't last long as coolness pressed against her temple a second later, causing her eyes to flutter open with the icy jolt. She shivered when it pressed against her neck but made no move to stop him, it feltgood and was completely necessary due to her perspiring during the episode... Sighing, she felt her strength had mostly returned and began pulling herself away from the chest she had been so heavily leaning against. His hands moved to her waist, helping her until she leaned back against the cabinets.
Woah, the beating of her heart accelerated but it was now mainly because of their proximity. He had stepped in-between her spread legs as he deposited her against the cabinets. He was so close his masculine, musky scent wafted through the space between them. Her stomach did a flip, it hadn't registered before(obviously, she was a little busy trying not to pass out)but now she wondered how long they had stayed like that, in that position. What if someone had seen them?
Noting the color dusting her cheeks - that were chalk-white a few moments ago, his hands retracted off her waist and he took a step back, creating a comfortable distance between them.
Sakura released the breath she had been holding in relief.
Her mind still hazy, she openly wore an expression of bewilderment as she eyed the man before her. It was odd... Naruto and even Lee had hugged her, 'touched' her, and she never felt or thought anything of it... but what just transpired between them, even though it had been to help her, she found that Sasuke's touch had a completely different effect. His nearness got her catching her breath and touch sent tingles all over...
What. The. Hell.
What did that mean? She could only associate the feelings with, exhilaration, adrenaline...
She felt electricity, Sakura finally identified, and could not fathom as to why that was.
Because it was new to her.
And because this was Sasuke Uchiha.
Her heavy, half-lidded eyes followed his movements as he stepped over to her left and opened the first aid-kit.
"I can do it."
It was as if she hadn't even spoken, since he voiced no response, merely continuing to rummage through the kit.
She then raised a curious brow at him, "...Why are you doing this?"
He teared open a packet of alcohol swabs and stood beside her. Leaning closer, he began - in which she swallowed hard - to wipe the cut on her shoulder and the surrounding blood-smeared stains.
"Doing what?" He uttered above a whisper, unknowingly sending chills across her skin. He was so close, again.
"...Why are you helping me?" She tried to keep her voice steady.
He didn't answer.
Engrossed in the task before him, he wiped the wound and surrounding smudges thoroughly, and when the swab was soaked, he grabbed a new one and repeated. She remained still as a statue, eyes downcast and still misty with the open need to sleep. When the cut was cleaned to the best of his ability, he bandaged it up before his eyes traveled down to the smaller blood-stain on her lower back.
"Lift up your shirt."
"W-what? No way!" She frantically pulled back from him, causing his eyes to narrow in aggravation.
"There's another gash bleeding through your shirt, and it's nothing I haven't seen before Haruno." He finished with mirth in his eyes.
Her eyes widened and she instantly felt flush, turning away from him. She crossed her arms over her chest defensively, missing the small smirk that broke out on his lips.
How dare he!?
And when did he learn her full name?
Her anger overcame her embarrassment and she glowered at him intensely,"You've done enough, I'll get Ino to-"
"She left with the others to the Hyuuga's 'pool and party' deck, down the street."
"But-"
"Unless you'd prefer Rock Lee?" He was staring her straight in the eye, and his unreadable mask was in place again.
Well crap. There was no way Lee was touching her, nope, never. But she was honestly considering him, because the idea of Sasuke touching her bare skin in places no man had ever, didn't sit well with her... This boy - man that stood before her was beginning to become the most infuriating person she had come across yet. She knew, he knew, that incidental day in the bath chamber made her want to crawl under a rock and hide forever, yet he unabashedly teased her about it! ...and then he tossed the 'Rock Lee' card!
Bastard knows how to gamble, that's for sure.
She didn't like his smug attitude or the effect his physical touch was having on her thus far, it was all too confusing... but she also didn't want Ino or the others to get involved and worry over her minor injuries or ask questions... She sighed dejectedly, growing more frustrated, she dubbed that the faster she got this over with, the better.
The rosette silently turned so that her back was facing him and lifted the hem of her shirt, just enough for the cut to be visible. Giving him obvious permission to continue his bandaging... but he had yet to take action. She momentarily thought he might have even left, since there was no sound in the room and was about to turn to seek him out until she felt cool fingers ghost over her skin. Her breath hitched and she forced herself to keep a nonchalant exterior. She felt him go to work with surprisingly gentle hands, wiping the cut and surrounding blood streaks. The prickle of goosebumps followed after where he wiped and caressed her heated skin and she fought the on-coming shudder. Instead, she exhaled deeply and leaned her head against the cabinets again for some support.
Although she was wary of him, Sakura couldn't deny all he was doing for her.
"Thank you... and I'd appreciate it if this stayed between us," she whispered.
He was silent, and she expected such... but she had expressed her gratitude, and that was all that mattered. It seemed to ease the guilt that had settled into her chest.
She silently wished none of this had happened or at least for there to have been no witnesses. She would have gladly gone to a corner, passed out and eventually woken up, good as new. Mostly. She preferred that scenario over anything else. Anything not to look so... broken.
He eventually finished, but she didn't know that.
His hand remained on her skin for an inquiring moment, admiring its blood-free smoothness. He saw her torso grow rigid as his fingers moved - waiting for the reaction she had been fighting... and when she shuddered he knew he was affecting her more than she was letting on, and ceased. Letting the hem or her shirt cover her skin once more. Although she'd probably need to change it, with the visible blood-stains decorating it.
Sakura released the breath stuck at her throat before facing him.
He leaned against the opposing counter from where she sat, loosely crossing his arms over his chest.
All was silent.
His dark eyes were fixated on her, considering and scrutinizing.
"... Your mother, how did she die?"
Her eyes widened at his bold question and it felt as though she had been punched in the gut at the reminder... Physically and emotionally drained, she didn't want to think about any of it so soon after her episode.
The rosette could only guess he heard her earlier, but had hoped he wouldn't have mentioned it.
Unfazed at her reaction, he continued almost curiously,"You've endured trauma in the process... blood sets you off?"
"I'd rather not talk about-"
"Maybe you should."
"Thank you for your concern but, I'm fine." She avoided his piercing gaze.
When it became too quiet she searched him again and found he was doing the same. He watched her critically for a moment, before his eye changed, or unveiled... it was as though they were 'knowing' in a way... If she hadn't been watching him at that moment she would have surely missed it, or maybe she was imagining it? ...Or maybe it had been pity she saw? Sakura didn't need any of that, that was the exact reason why she didn't confide in people. They'd see her as damaged-goods...
Unwinding his crossed arms he pushed off the counter, moving closer he uttered quietly,"Your a bad liar, and a serious liability Haruno."
With that he made his way out of the kitchen, and turned a corner out of sight, leaving her alone.
She slumped against the counters, unable to find it in herself to retort or be angry at his words. They were true after all, trouble seemed to follow her more than usual lately. She still couldn't help wondering why he had helped her, and so thoroughly at that...
She wasn't sure what his motives were but she held some gratitude toward the raven-haired boy... but that didn't mean she trusted him.
"Hungry miss?" A maid brought her a tray of food and Sakura could only shake her head in response, instead reaching for the cup of water Sasuke had gotten.
Appetite lost long ago.
...
..
.
'He did it on purpose, or he didn't trust her,' Again Sakura is left in the dark at their half-answers. There was more to this group than meets the eye and she is learning that... She adores them but cant help but feel some things are too fishy to ignore.
'A feeling of longing washed over her,'Sakura as you know, is an only child and with her parents divorce and early departure of both(mother dying and father never really being there for her) she often feels alone... This is also the reason why she is so fond of a certain knuckle-headed blonde boy(Naruto if you couldn't guess lol)
Everything else, I need you to read between the lines. Lol, have to keep some things in the air don't we?
Any questions? Lol :)
Reviews make me smile!