Chapter Three
It's been two months since Sasuke told us Mike's plan. Ever since then, the guys had dropped us off and picked us up from school everyday and on the weekends—and days that we had off from school—they stayed with us. There was only about three months of school left. The end of Sophomore year was coming. Nest year we'll be Juniors and then Seniors. Mike hasn't done anything—yet—but he has been following us everywhere. Then it happened. I was out shopping with the girls and guys at the mall. The guys decided to go to a different section. Their excuse is that we were shopping for girl stuff and they didn't want to be here. When I asked them about the possibility of Mike attacking they said that it wouldn't be possible since this place is packed. We just rolled our eyes.
When we went to find them we hadn't noticed that we were being followed. Then someone placed something over our mouth and nose and we blacked out. When I came too I saw that the girls were already awake. I looked around and saw that we were in a warehouse. I kept looking around and then noticed that I wouldn't be able to move around much due to the cause that I'm tied to a chair. The girls were in the same situation as me.
"Well look who we have here. If it isn't Sakura. Sakura Haruno—the daughter of my most despised people."
"Mike." I said through gritted teeth. He looked at us and then chuckled. "I thought your plan was to make me suffer?"
"It was, but then I decided that I'll make you and your friends suffer as well."
"And how do you plan on doing that?"
"By killing your most precious people in front of you. Wait I shouldn't call them precious because they're not just precious—they're the ones who you've fallen in love with." He said 'love' like it was a poison that was killing him within—which it probably is since maybe he still hasn't got over mother.
He took out a phone and I noticed that it was mine. He then took out three more and saw that it was the girl's phone as well. We made a fuss and he said that when your knocked out you don't feel a thing. He unlocked my phone and began dialing. He began talking and then there was shouting. I could barely make out the voice, but it sounded like Sasuke.
"Now, now Sasuke you'll get to talk to her, don't worry. Just want to tell you that if you want to see her come to the only abandoned warehouse there is. Just bring yourself and you friends since Sakura isn't the only one I have held here."
An hour passed by and we heard noises of motorcycles. I looked at the girls and they looked back at me—all except for Tenten. She seemed like she was concentrating on something. Then the door came flying open. I saw Sasuke enter with Naruto, Shikamaru and Neji trailing behind him. They took one look at us and began to advance on Mike. Then female voices stopped them.
"I wouldn't if I were you Sasuke-dear." We turned around and saw that it was Karin and her group. They held guns to our heads. "You wouldn't want us to accidentally shoot them now would you?"
Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Tenten had managed to get free. She threw something sharp at me and I caught it. It was a pocket knife. I'll ask her later where she kept this hidden. Once I broke free I handed it to Hinata who was next to me. When she was free she threw it to Ino. When we were all free I looked at the girls and nodded. They nodded back. We lifted up our legs and kicked the guns out of Karin and the girl's hands. When the guns landed away from us and Mike we got up off the chair and faced them. We didn't say anything—we just attacked them.
"How'd they break—oof." Mike said as he was tackled to the ground by Sasuke.
As the guys fought Mike the girls and I fought Karin and the others. When they were knocked out we turned around to see that the guys were down. He was about to shoot Sasuke, but I intervened. Instead it hit me on the side. I fell down and heard people calling my name. The only one that I could hear clearly was Sasuke's. After that everything went black.
Sasuke:
We were looking for the girls all around the store and when we couldn't find them I decided to call Sakura. I called many time, but she didn't pick up. Then my phone rang. I looked and saw that it was Sakura. I began asking her where she was and when I stopped a male voice spoke up. He said a few thing and told me that if I want to see Sakura to go to the only abandoned warehouse that this place has. He said to only take my friends with me sine my cherry blossom wasn't alone. I told the guys and they agreed to come with me. Before we left we called the cops and told them. I told them to arrive ten minutes after we arrived. That we'll beep them—and to arrive as silent as possible.
When we arrived I sent the door flying open. The guys and I took one look at then and began to advance on Mike. Then female voices stopped us.
"I wouldn't if I were you Sasuke-dear." We turned around and saw that it was Karin and he group. They held guns to their heads. "You wouldn't want us to accidentally shoot them now would you?"
I saw that Tenten was concentrating on something. Then she somehow was free. She threw something and Sakura caught it. This happened three time and they were all free. I noticed that the guys noticed this, but Mike and the other four girls didn't. man they're clueless. When we they were all free Sakura looked at them and nodded. They nodded back. They lifted up their legs and kicked the guns out of Karin and the girl's hands. When the guns landed away from them and Mike they got up off the chair and faced them. Nothing was said and they just attacked them.
"How'd they break—oof." Mike said as he was tackled to the ground by me.
As the we fought Mike the girls and Sakura fought Karin and the others. When Karin and her group were knocked out Sakura and the other girls turned around to see that the guys and I were down. Mike was about to shoot me, but Sakura intervened. Instead of the bullet hitting me it hit Sakura on the side. She fell down and we began calling her. When I saw that she closed her eyes I looked at Mike. He was smiling. That's when I saw red. I attacked him. Then we heard the doors around the warehouse being broken. The cops came and took Mike, Karin and her group away.
"She's breathing." Someone said.
I turned around and saw a cop kneeling over Sakura. Then EMT's came and placed her over a gurney. I asked if I could go with her and they said fine. They guys said that they'll follow after they tell Sakura's parents and mine. I nodded my head. I gave my keys to one of the cops and asked if he could take my bike to the hospital. He agreed knowing that I was desperate.
When we arrived they immediately took her into the emergency room. They told me to wait here in the waiting room. The doors to the hospital opened with a bang. I turned around and saw that my parents, the guys, the girls and Sakura's parents had come. Her parents took one look at me and hugged me—told me it wasn't my fault—yet why does it feel like it? Oh right, cause we left them all alone at the mall—while we went to a different part—giving him the chance to strike. God, I feel useless.
Then the door to the emergency room opened and the doctor stepped out. We looked at him. He took a deep breath and began.
"There's nothing to worry about. The bullet missed every vital organ."
"So she's safe?" I asked—hopeful.
"Yes. All we had to do is minor surgery to remove the bullet that was within her. One of you can go see her now. She's asleep, so choose wisely. I'll give you time to choose."
When he left we began debating on who should go. I had decided that it would be best if one of the women here should go, but they all decided that it would be best if I went. When the doctor came back he asked who was going. I said I was.
Sakura:
When I woke up I was welcomed with white walls around me. I began panicking. Then I heard the door open. I looked up and saw a doctor enter with Sasuke trailing behind him. He looked up from the clipboard on his hand and saw that I was awake—he smiled.
"Miss. Haruno do you feel any pain?"
When Sasuke heard him ask me that question he looked up.
"No, I'm fine." I said somehow reassuring Sasuke.
"Good to hear. I'll give you two some privacy." With that he left the room.
Sasuke stood—while I laid there—in silence, neither of us saying a thing. I looked up at him and saw guilt in his eyes. I had decided to say something, but I didn't know what.
"Sorry." He whispered.
"Huh?" I said.
"I'm sorry." He said much louder.
"Why? It wasn't your fault."
"Yes it was. I mean if the guys and I didn't leave you girls alone then none of this would have happened." He said—emphasizing 'none' to get his point across.
"True"—he grimaced—"but then he would found a different way to get us. So basically he got it out of his system." I said trying to make a joke out of this.
"Don't even joke about this." Didn't work apparently. Drat.
"Sasuke" he looked at me "this wasn't your fault—as said before—and like I said before—he would have found a different way to get us. So basically all of this" I said moving my hands around to get my point across to him "would have happened. He was planning this, remember?"
"I know. Yet I still feel useless." He said coming closer.
Once he was close enough, I took hold of his hand and brought him even closer. He sat on the chair next to me—brought it closer and laid his head on my lap. I remember when we always did this. It would always be when he felt that he was useless. When he felt everything that happened was his fault. Before I knew it he had fallen asleep. The door to my room opened again and I saw that my-his parents, the guys, and the girls were here. I gave them a reassuring smile and they nodded. When they left Sasuke's phone began to vibrate. I went to his pocket and took it out. It was a text. It said:
Sakura,
We know that you'll probably check his phone since he's asleep so we just want to tell you that we're going home. We'll bring him a change of clothes tomorrow. We'll tell the principal of both your schools that you won't be arriving to school for awhile. That means that Hinata and Naruto are going to be in charge. This is going to be bad. I mean I trust Hinata—now Naruto's the problem. Anyways, we hope you get better. Your parents say that they'll be with you as much as they can. Well your father will. Your mother will probably just give you and Sasuke as much alone time as she can. The same will come from Fugaku and I. we'll see you tomorrow. Good night and sweet dreams.
Mikoto
When I finished reading the text, I put his phone on the table next to me. Then I felt sleep overpower me.
When I woke up I saw that Sasuke was still asleep. I began to run my hand through his hair lovingly. His hair was silky smooth. While doing that I felt him stir—but didn't wake. Then the door to my room opened. I saw Mikoto with my mother at the doorway. She looked at me, then at Sasuke and back at me. A smile adorning her face. I smiled back—then I looked at mother. She gave me a knowing look—and I know what she's thinking—which I might add is not a good thing.
"He still hasn't awoken has he?" Mikoto asked.
"Nope." I smiled. He looked so much like a child while he sleeps. "He'll probably wake up in a few minutes—or maybe not." I said looking at him once again.
We began to talk silently amongst ourselves. That was until I felt Sasuke stir. When he lifted his head up he began to look around. It took all of my self-restraint not laugh. Reason why is because while he was looking around I imagined him being five years old again—yet that didn't stop me from giggling slightly. He looked at me.
"Why are you giggling?"
"Because you looked like the younger you—the one that was five." Then I decided to add "Plus you look like a child when sleeping and its funny to watch you drowsy when you just woke up."
"Well this will be the last time you see this." He said flicking my nose.
"Aw. No fair. Why can't I see it again? Are you scared that I'll take a picture and show it to people?" I said pouting.
"No, just that—well I just don't."
At that I had to laugh. Mikoto and mom joined in. When he turned around and saw them his face paled. I laughed even harder. He looked at me and glared. I stuck my tongue out at him. His mother handed him the bag that contained his clothes and told him to change. When he came back we sat there for a few minutes. Then the doctor came in.
"So, Doc when can I leave?"
"You can leave anytime you want, but you won't be able to go to school. You'll have to wait five days."
"I can deal with that." I said getting up.
"Wait a moment. I'll call a nurse to help you change and get the IVs off you."
Then a nurse came in a few minutes after he left. Once she took the IVs off and helped me change she said she was going to get a wheelchair. Sasuke told her not to. She was about to protest—that was until she saw Sasuke carrying me bridal style. She murmured something about crazy love-struck couples, but she was to far up ahead for me to understand if that's what she said. Apparently it was because mom and Mikoto were smiling—a lot. The doctor noticed us and smiled—one of those smiles that understood why you were doing what you did.
When we arrived at Sasuke's house, we went straight to the backyard. They said that it would be best that I spend a little bit of time outside. Sasuke placed me on a swinging bench—you know one of those benches that can fit probably four people and swing—and sat beside me. My feet began moving the bench. For some reason I was itching to just get up and walk. So that's what I did. I began getting up and this didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke. he was by side in an instant. I assured him that I was fine. He told me that he wasn't taking any chances.
We walked around for a few minutes. Then I heard mother calling me. We walked back to where they were and they said that we had to eat something. When we entered the house I saw that the others arrived from school. They were in the kitchen waiting for us. Well some of them were—Naruto was pigging out as usual. Honestly, Naruto's a walking stomach—if not, then worse. I wonder if he has ever gotten a stomach ache before. Maybe not, yet with the way he eats you'd expect him to get a lot of stomach aches.
After we finished eating we headed to our rightful homes. Well the mom, dad and I headed home—the girls came along since they now live with us. The five days—that doctor said that I would have to stay home—passed by quickly. When I arrived to school, everyone began asking if I was alright. I went to Tsunade's office. Upon entering she asked me if I was alright. I assured her that I was feeling fine.
"What brings you to my office then?"
"I want you to make an assembly." She looked at me confused. "To see how they'll react to the information that I got. Sasuke's doing it with his school."
She agreed and told me to get to homeroom. When homeroom was done and everyone was in their first period class, she called over the intercom for an assembly. That it was mandatory. Once in the auditorium, I went to the back. The girls behind me. She began talking to them. They listened, but when she mentioned South Kanoha High—they got rowdy.
"Listen up! Sakura and her gang have something they have to tell you. Now, pay attention!"
"Thanks." I said sarcasm at the tip of my tongue. "Now, I know that you guys have a sort of hatred towards South Kanoha High."
"Well, duh. They beat one of our students for no reason."
"Well they had a reason." They looked at me confused. I took a deep breath. This was going to be a long assembly. "You guys know how the rivalry came to be. Good." I said when the all nodded. "My mother's ex—no names shall be mentioned—started all of this years ago. He wanted mother and father to suffer, but when that didn't happen he chose to make both schools students miserable. Then when I came along he decided to make me suffer. Along with the Sasuke—South Kanoha's leader. He also planned to end both schools. He made sure that the rivalry kept going because he didn't want the days where both schools were peaceful to come back—the days of his memories. He got what he wanted though partially. I got hurt—that's why I haven't been around the past few days—and Sasuke suffered—thinking that all of this was his fault. Mom's ex has been feeding their principal false information and accusations. So all I ask of you is to give them a second chance. They deserve that—don't they. I mean it wasn't their faults and it wasn't ours."
I waited then I heard clapping—followed by cheering. When everything was settled down someone spoke up saying that they'll give them a second chance and others agreed. I hadn't noticed tears coming out of my eyes until Hinata handed me some tissues. I looked at her and she was crying too. though it was tears of happiness and not sadness. After that we headed back to class. The rest of the day went by peacefully. After school I saw that Sasuke and the guys were in front of the gate. I braced myself for anything bad, but nothing happened. I guess the school's going to be true to their word.
We headed up to them and waited. We waited for like forever to hear what their school decided. That's when Sasuke decided to speak up.
"They decided to give you guys a second chance."
"Same here."
"And—"
"And?" I asked him confused.
"And Jaraiya is planning on patching up things with Tsunade. Look there he is right now."
We turned around and saw Tsunade speaking with a male with white hair. Tsunade maybe thirty-forty something, but that doesn't mean she's old. Same goes for him—or so I heard. She decided to come out of the school to see how things are going only for this time, but I have a feeling that she's going to be doing this more often. Jaraiya probably said something that she liked because she threw her arms around him and gave him a bear hug. When she let go she had tears of joy coming out of her eyes.
When we arrived home I went in and told mother everything that happened. The other tailing behind me. She listened and smiled at me.
"My cherry blossom, you did something that your father and I tried to do and failed—yet you accomplished it. Thank god that the rivalry is over."
With that said I decided that it would be good if we celebrated with a pool party—just the eight of us. They agreed and went to get ready. When we were all ready we went into the pool. I saw that Sasuke had his guard down and decided to drown him. Bad move because when he came back up he decided upon revenge. It took a lot to make sure that he didn't dunk me, but it wasn't a lot cause in the end he still got me. After awhile we decided to get out. We went into the kitchen and saw that mother wasn't there. Then I heard her calling me. We followed the noise and saw that she was in the backyard with dad and everyone else's parents. Mother said that since they found out what happened they decided to have a barbeque in appreciation for what we did.
After we ate—or in Naruto's case inhaled the food—we decided to go inside and watch the movies that they were showing in HD. Once the movie began people began falling asleep. When we woke the next morning with the TV was still turned on. We looked at each other and laughed. Since it was the weekend the guys and I didn't have to worry about school. We decided to do something. I suggested that we go bowling. They agreed.
When we arrived to the bowling rink we set up. We decided that it was males against females. The guys asked if we were really sure about this.
"What are you guys chicken?" I asked—teasing them.
"No, absolutely not!" Naruto all but screamed—scratch that he did scream.
When they agreed to play against us—we began. We were neck-n-neck. Then Sasuke got a spare. It was up to me—since I was up—to get a strike and win. When I threw the bowling ball we all held our breaths to see what would happen. Then we least expected it, but I got a strike. The girls and I screamed and hugged each other. We looked at the guys and they smiled hugging and congratulating us—which they were being good sports about. Honestly I thought they would say that it was beginners luck, but they didn't.
We arrived home really late. After we left the bowling rink, the guys decided to take us to victory dinner. We looked at them as if they grew another head, but eventually we agreed. When we arrived Sasuke's and my mother gave us grief for arriving late. I mean arriving home at nearly eleven is normal, right? Well anyways, they let it slide—for now.
The next day we all decided to go rollerblading. I was a little worried about that because I have never once—well maybe not never—gone rollerblading. So I was pretty much scared of falling—on my butt and flat on my face. I mean I'm good at fighting—just that on stuff with wheels—on my feet more specifically—I'm not so good at. Here, when I turned eleven my parents thought that it would have been a good idea to celebrate my birthday by going rollerblading.
When we arrived at the outdoor rollerblading place we began suiting up. Once we were set we began to rollerblade. My family was doing fine—all but me. I got up and somehow fell backwards. Sasu tried to teach me how to rollerblade, but it didn't work. I, honestly, thought—think—that rollerblading hates me. I know that a sport can't hate you, but in my case it maybe possible. So, he tried yet it didn't work. Daddy tried—then mommy. After mother tried we gave up. Since I couldn't rollerblade we decided that we may just as well go ice skating instead. We did and trust me it was the most funniest thing you'll ever hear—Sasu was trying to skate and it wasn't working. My parents decided to try and teach him, but it didn't end so good. He fell on his butt—a lot. Since I was skating fine I decided to get revenge—he was laughing at me while rollerblading, so I decided that it would be justified if I laughed at his. Hey, there's an expression out there that says 'What goes around comes around.' I don't know who said it, but who ever did I thank them. Because now Sasu now not to do anything that might come back to bite him in the butt.
So when the guys and I arrived to an outdoor rollerblading rink we set up. When we were done they began to skate. Sasuke saw that I was hesitating and decided to come stand beside me.
"Come on." I shook my head. "Why?"
"Rollerblading hates my guts." He chuckled. "I'm not kidding. Once my parents decided that for my eleventh birthday we should go rollerblading. So we did. When we were set we began rollerblading. I tried but I fell—a lot. My parents and—believe it—even Sasu tried to teach me, but it didn't work so we gave up on that. So if I go out there now, I'll make a fool of myself." I said pouting while glaring at the rink's floor.
"Here I'll teach you." He said chuckling.
"Fine, but if I fall you better be there to catch me and not let me fall. If you do then I'll kick you harder than I did to Naruto, Shikamaru and Neji that first day we met again."
He nodded and took my hand. It felt right when he grabbed a hold of my hand. He began teaching me the basics. For some reason I understood it more than when my parents and Sasu tried to teach me. When I knew I got this down for good I let go and began skating. For some reason I felt like doing some of the tricks that I do when on the ice-rink. I let go and pretended to be on the ice-rink. When I heard cheering I was brought out of my trance. I stopped and went to stand next to Sasuke.
"You didn't know?"
"I didn't know—'till now. Thanks." I said smiling.
"Finally a smile that reaches your eyes—your beautiful, wondrous green orbs." He smiled.
I blushed. "Thanks."
We looked at each other until we were interrupted. "Sakura!" we turned around and saw that it was Naruto. Honestly he has bad timing. "Your—like—a natural at rollerblading."
By now the others caught up. "Not really. I only learned how to just now. Thanks to Sasuke."
"Huh?"
I explained to them my history with rollerblading. I was expecting them to laugh, but they didn't—well the guys chuckled, but the girls looked at me knowingly. Then there was ear-blasting laugh. We all looked at Naruto. He was on the floor laughing his butt off—no seriously, he was rolling around on the floor while laughing. When he got up I smacked him hard on the head and made him fall—face first—on the floor.
We all began to laugh as he got up. He looked at me and glared. I smiled an innocent smile and dashed for my life. He was behind me in an instant. When I was close enough I stopped, turned around and went back from where we came from. He was behind me in an instant, again. So when I was close enough to the others I hid behind Sasuke.
"No fair." Naruto whined.
"Hey, its fair when you're a girl and a guy is chasing you ready to do who knows what." I said sticking out my tongue at him.
"Argh! That's it." With that he launched himself at me.
"Kyah!" I said hiding behind Sasuke even more.
"Alright enough." He said stopping Naruto from coming after me even more.
When Naruto was calm I stepped around from Sasuke—keeping close incase if I needed to hide behind him. When I saw it was safe I heaved a sigh. I looked at the girls and we began laughing. The guys stared at us. Then they looked at each other.
"Why are they laughing?" Naruto asked confused.
"Who knows. Someone once said that the most mysterious creatures out there are females." Shikamaru said.
We looked at them and another round of laughter came. When we finished laughing we handed the skates back to the rental guy. We decided that it would be best if we went and got something to eat. Naruto suggested ramen, but we said no. when we arrived to this small—but affordable restaurant we began ordering our meals. Naruto was sulking until the waiter came in with our foods. He looked at his and began chowing down. I looked at him and muttered 'pig' under my breath. He didn't hear it, but the others did. They chuckled and began eating their own foods.
When we finished eating and paying the bill we headed to the park where everyone met for the first time—where Sasuke and I re-united again. I saw a swing set and went towards it. Hinata close behind me. She saw that I sat on a swing and sat on the one next to mine. We made diminutive chit-chat.
"So are you going to tell him?"
"Who?"
"Sasuke—you know—about your feelings towards him?"
"Nah. He can have any girl out there. I'm not good enough for him."
"Yeah right. I mean you have to see how he looks at you. Oh and when you took the shot he almost—almost" she said emphasizing 'almost' "killed Mike. Aside from that though—when he found out that our school was giving his school a second chance, his eyes lit up."
"Still. I'm not pretty smart or both."
"Trust me—you're both. Now you have to tell him. That way I can get the courage and maybe tell—"
"Naruto." I said smiling. She nodded her head. "What if he says no?"
"Then your one heart break from true happiness with a guy who'll be worth it and see you for who you are."
"Thanks."
We began swinging ourselves until we felt strong arms pushing our swing further up in the air. Our eye met and widened. We turned our heads slightly and saw that it was only Sasuke and Naruto. I looked at her and she looked back and we both nodded our heads. Once high enough in the air Hinata and I jumped off the swing set. We did a triple flip in the air and landed on our feet gracefully—might I add.
"Never do that again!" Sasuke and Naruto all but said calmly.
"Fine." We said—they sighed with relief. I whispered something in her ear and she nodded. We turned around and faced them. "Tag! You're it!" we said knocking them to the ground.
They got up and smiled. Sasuke came after me and Naruto went after Hinata. Once we were near a sakura tree we climbed it quickly. We hid behind the cherry blossoms. We saw them below us searching. It took everything Hinata and I had not to laugh. I mean who wouldn't laugh at the all famous ruthless Sasuke playing tag and not winning. Then we heard something ruffling. I looked at Hinata and we looked up.
"Gotcha!" they said.
We screamed and jumped off and began running again. We passed Ino and Tenten and they looked at us with confused expressions. Then we decided to hide behind them.
"We're playing tag with Sasuke and Naruto."
"You know that means that you can't hide?" Ino said.
"Whatever. When you're playing against those two you have to do anything you can to make sure they don't get you." I said.
I felt a presence behind me and told Hinata to run—and run we did. We split up then I second later I heard Hinata squeak and Naruto saying 'Gotcha.' I looked around and saw that Sasuke wasn't insight and before I knew it strong arms were wrapped around my waist.
"Gotcha." He breathed.
"Yes, yes you did." I said smiling. "Now you can let go."
"Aw, do I have to?" he whined.
"Yes. Now if you don't want to the others to hear you whining, you might as well let me go." Which he did.
Then we heard Naruto calling us to get back to them. I swear someone needs to make sure his voice goes down an octave or more—whichever will do with me.
When the girls and I arrived to my house, mother wanted to know everything that happened. She looked at me and I looked at her—then she decided to ask one of the others. What I wasn't pleased with was that she asked Ino. One thing I learned is that if your going to ask Ino what happened be prepared to hear a long dragged out story. I told Ino not say a thing because I was going to tell her myself. I told her everything and mom squealed like a five year old girl with her first pet.
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