A/N: Noramally when it comes to writing notes or such in stories I have it italicized and bolded, but since a majority of this chapter is Sakura's writing I will just have it italicized.

It's Time for a Flashback: Christmas Special

As Ino returns to her seat, and I bring my attention to my Perverted Teacher who starts class off with a talk about how it will take a while for our new text books to come to class as our box was misplaced over the summer break. Due to donations at fundraisers last year the school was able to order new text books. However they didn't come in until a few days ago. So all the old books are currently being traded in for the new ones. Poor Kakashi-sensei, apparently his whole lesson plan for the week depended on those new books. So until the new books comes in, we are supposed to write in our notebooks, which he refers to as journals, what happened over summer break.

But I never had a summer break before. So what should I write about?

I look over at Ino- she was sending text messages under her desk while pretending to be thinking on what she should be doing.

Once again confusion fills me. How did Ino change so much? I look down at the blank page of my noteb- I mean journal. Shrugging I pick up my pen and begin to write.

I met Ino when I was five years old. At the time I had already lived in Kiri Seven Swords Hospital for four years and each winter remained the same. Mom and dad would visit Christmas Eve, Day and the 26th. Other than that I would only see them once a month. "The cost of travel is too much" they said. "We can't afford to move either. Without the studies being done on your genetic defect we wouldn't be able to afford the cost of your medical bills. "

Yes, I'm currently in the final stages of testing. It has been thirteen years since the studies on my blood and brain began. Because of these tests I have been able to have the many surgeries I needed done one me in order to survive. Well…most of the surgeries.

Anyway it was snowing outside like it usually does during winter. It fell softly enough that the doctors took the children who were the healthiest outside to play. I wasn't considered one at the time, as I had recently been attacked by a vicious demon that looks like a full black Shiba Inu with molten gold eyes. I watched as the other patients played and laughed. Throwing snowballs or making snow angels and snow-men. Music softly played throughout the halls, Christmas jiggles and songs that I had heard a hundred times before. The cheerful voices of visiting family members and friend's echoes in my ears further depressing me while I looked out the window from my second story room. Sitting in my rolling hospital bed I stared at all the others having fun without me.

It was rare for me to go outside during those first few years. The attacks were much more frequent until I was nine and Inner came to be.

That was when I saw her. It was her frantic screaming; yelling and thrashing that brought my attention to her. Being carried in by a large man with long blond hair tied back into a pony tail I watched as she was clutching her head almost yanking out her hair. It wasn't until she came inside that I heard just over the faint echoes of the music and voices her screams.

Curious, scared and worried I got out of bed, push my IV with me and head into the hall way through the opened door. I wasn't the only person who was curious about the hospitals newest screamer.

Nurse Kabuto saw me wandering out of my room and quickly ushered me back into my secluded room with a promise to play cards with me later. When I asked about who was screaming and why he told me that he didn't know and reminded me that if he did he couldn't tell. Doctor/Patient Confidentially.

The screams ended after a while, it wasn't until the two days later that I actually met Ino.

Sadly it was at my least favorite place; group therapy.

She wore a patients gown with blue cotton capris underneath. Her ice blond hair was recently cut into a boy-short bob and her bangs are pushed to the side. As the new kid, Ino was practically forced to introduce herself and if she wanted to, tell the others why she was here.

Her answer wasn't what I expected.

"I can hear people's thoughts! And control their minds!" She confidently shouted with a smug smirk to her lips and her chin held high as she dangled her short legs.

I sat stunned and suddenly started rethinking what was going through my mind since she entered the room.

I just kept questioning why she was screaming that day.

With a sad look she met my eyes and told the us what had upset her that day.

"Mom and dad thought it would be interesting if we went on vacation for Christmas. A few days ago we arrived to Kiri international airport when I heard a bad guys thought." She shivered. "He wanted to hurt the people going on a plain to Ame. I couldn't let him do that so I tried to control him, but he was too strong. That happens sometimes," a shrug "so I started yelling at him. I told him to blow it up. The security people came and took him away but he didn't have anything bad with him. He was just day dreaming. Which was scary. The police came and took me, mom and dad to the station. But when I got their all I could hear were the bad people's thoughts. I was so scared I started yelling and screaming. It was too loud! But nobody would be quite! Then a lady in a blue uniform tried to stop me so I attacked her. She wanted to tape my mouth shut! I won't let anybody do that!" shouted Ino at the end.

Because Ino hurt a police officer she had to come here to get a check-up. Apparently they found that she had many symptoms pointing towards schizophrenia, but it will be months before they confirm it.

The class was over taken by Ino, all of us wanted to know more about her and her abilities. That is until Doctor Orochimaru reminded the rest of us that we are there for help. Nobody really has super-powers.

Doctor Orochimaru was wrong. Ino really can read peoples thoughts, and on Christmas Eve she proved it to me.

After my parents returned to their hotel I fell asleep. Sometime later I was lying in my bed-dreaming, about what I can't remember, when a growl woke me up.

I look to the side slowly and meet the eyes of the demon who attacked me the week before.

NO! I screamed in my mind as I jerk at my restraints that tied me down.

"I'm hungry again," It stated.

HELP! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!

Frighten I cry out, "N-n-no! I'm still hurt from last time!"

HE'S GONNA EAT ME! HELP! HELP! HELP!

It chuckled.

GO AWAY! GO AWAY! GOAWAYGOAWAYGOAWAYGO AWAY!

"I forced myself to wait this long, but no more! I need it! You're mine Rabbit!" then he pounced at me.

I screamed just as the door opened. I didn't know who was there till the nurses tried to calm me. I looked them straight in the eye as I cried for them to make it go away. but it was too late the demon was slashing at my chest.

"Mmmm," it grumbled before bringing its fluffy face towards my heart and licking up my bleeding spirit. Suddenly there was warmth in my head.

"It's okay," It said. "I won't let the doggy hurt you Sakura."

Suddenly I blacked out.

When I awoke I was once again lying on my bed, the sunlight brightening up the room slowly. A dull beeping sound brought my attention to my left.

There lying in a bed similar to mine was Ino.

She was sound asleep for what seemed like forever. When she finally woke up I quickly turned my head away.

"Are you okay Sakura?," she asked.

I nod.

"Is the bad black doggy gone?"

Surprised I turned towards her.

Nobody else had ever seen that demon before. He wasn't a usual haunter.

"H-how did you k-know he looked like a black doggy?"

She smiled smugly like on the first day I saw her. "I couldn't sleep. I mean Santa was coming! How can I sleep when I was trying to see him through the window and flying over people's homes! Nurse Yuki came in and saw I was still awake. She tried to tuck me in again when I heard you screaming. When I yelled at her how come she wasn't going to help you she looked confused. Then I heard you again and ran towards your room. She followed me and we found you just as you really started screaming. She tried to calm you but I couldn't not help! So I took control of your mind! When I do that I see what others see. So I saw him clawing and licking your chest. But when I took control he hurt me instead." Now she pouted. "He didn't like the way I tasted, he started shaking his head and falling back as soon as he tasted me. Now I wonder if I taste bad."

I stared at her in awe. Ino protected me! Nobody was ever able to protect me from the demons before.

"Sakura?"

I started to cry.

"I'm sorry!"

She blinked at me. "For what?"

By now the tears were heavily falling down my cheeks and sobs were making their way up my throat.

"'Cause of me you got hurt." I whimpered.

Ino tsked at me. "Well what else was I supposed to do? Nurse Yuki wasn't doing anything!"

"B-but" I started.

"No buts! I saved you! So be greatful! Think of it as a present. Just accept it."

My tears were still falling but now down to a trickle. I sniffled as I nodded and she smiled again.

Suddenly a thought came into my mind.

"I-Ino?"

"Hm?"

"Can I be your friend?"

She looked at me for a moment before the brightest smile I have ever seen spread across her face.

"Of course!"

Then the Christmas music began. Marking the start of Christmas Day in the hospital.

"Merry Christmas Ino!" I shouted with a smile rivaling in Ino's brightness.

"Merry Christmas Sakura!"

The ring of the bell shocks me out of writing. I look up to see the clock says it's 12:05.

"Sakura!"

I turn to Ino who was waiting with her bag over shoulder. She makes a hurry up motion with her fingers.

"I thought I was to meet you in the lunch line?" I question.

She rolls her one visible eye. "That was before I knew we had the same third period! Now come on before all the good food is taken!"

I quickly pack my things and with Ino leading me and Inner following I can't help but think about how I wish Ino would meet Inner. Maybe after I find out what happened to her when we were seven she can control my mind and her and Inner can finally meet!

I walk rest of the way down the hall with a bright smile.

A/N:

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everybody!

I'm sorry this was a sad chapter for a majority of it, but most of Sakura's flashbacks of her time at the hospital will be sad. Did you notice I finally named the Hospital? Yup Kiri Seven Swords Hospital. Not Very original I must say but it fit. I'll update as soon as I can but for now I hope you have a wonderful day!