Title: My Lovely Person

Author: Katarin Kishika

Characters/Pairing: Haruno Sakura X Uzumaki Naruto

Type: Continuous (Incomplete)

Genre: Romance

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's not mine.

READ ME: Oh, right, THIS IS AU!

Dedicated to: That 'Guest' reviewer who I believed reviewed some of my other stories too. I would have loved to thank you via pm, but I guess this will do. And of course, this update was for my loyal readers too.

O_O_O

"Yo." – Talking

'Yo.' – Thoughts

O_O_O

Chapter 4:

Knowing you

O_O_O

…

…

…

…

"Sakura."

Sakura turned around to just in time to see her aunt entering their home after a day of work at the hospital. She was currently preparing their dinner that Tuesday evening. Looking at the face of the person who practically took care of her whole sixteen years of life, Sakura saw the strain and stress brought upon by her line of work. Rushing to the door to welcome her, Sakura greeted the older woman with a smile, hoping to comfort her even for just a little bit.

The taut lines of tension on Tsunade's face visibly reduced upon seeing the teen. Smiling and deftly messing the pink locks of her niece, Tsunade ambled inside their abode. She stretched like a cat and promptly plopped herself to the couch, childishly yelling, "Sakura-chan! Bring me some sake~" while flailing her arms in the air.

Sakura rolled her eyes at her aunt's antics. She could be childish sometimes; Sakura surmised it was her way of loosening up… well, that and she has a habit of gambling and drinking whenever she can. And when Tsunade was stressed… her temper was easily triggered and she could pack one hell of a punch when aggravated. "Tsunade-sama, you can't drink sake because you still have work tomorrow. I bet you'll curse me for having a hangover when you wake up." Sakura said while preparing the table so they could eat.

Tsunade rolled on her stomach and said something but Sakura couldn't understand nor hear it properly because it was muffled. Shrugging, she asked her aunt to repeat it again. Tsunade sat up but didn't say anything more. Sakura could see that her aunt was hesitant on what she was about to say and obviously wanted to change the subject when she asked, "Sakura, are you going to the hospital tomorrow?"

Frowning a little, Sakura nodded, "Of course, my check-up is scheduled tomorrow. And I… I wanted to talk to Kushina and at least introduce myself again with Naruto." It has been on her mind on what happened to Naruto after she left that day a week ago. But whenever she asked Tsunade, the older woman only changes the subject saying it's confidential and whatnot. Sakura knew that something wrong happened and knew that her aunt thought that she couldn't take the news. Protecting her was good and appreciated, but Sakura's whole life was so sheltered, protection her from all things they thought could hurt her was the last thing she needed. She was not made of glass. She could be tough too. She wanted to march down to the hospital ever since Thursday but upon seeing Tsunade's stern frowning face, she knew better and at last opted to wait for her next check-up.

Tsunade nodded. She then stood up and made her way in front of Sakura. Staring her down, Tsunade sighed. "I guess I could not forbid you to befriend him again. Just promise me that you will be strong for the both of you. He would need someone stable on his life." Tsunade's worried face finally turned to a smile when she saw Sakura's determined face. "After all, you're too stubborn for your own good. Anything I would have said, you wouldn't obey." She then ruffled and patted Sakura's hair.

Sakura smiled at her aunt, glad that she understood.

Tsunade laughed, "Come on now, I'm famished!" she paused "… And Sakura, I really want that sake now."

…

…

Walking down that familiar path towards the hospital seemed surreal. It was a novel feeling for Sakura who was always cooped up inside the walls of the hospital. With a light skip on her steps, she made her way to her destination, a certain blonde in mind. After her check-up, she resolved herself to at least give Naruto her name and see if he could remember her. She rushed towards the hospital with a certain added vigor because of the excitement she felt of seeing the blonde.

Opening the door to the office of a certain Dr. Chiyo, Sakura readied herself to the weekly checkup. After a few more weeks, these check-ups would lessen to once every one or two months. She wondered how she would spend time with Naruto if her visits and reason to come would be gone. Shaking her head to dispel those thoughts, Sakura focused on what was now and not on what would be. 'First of all, he must remember me', she thought dryly.

Chiyo, an old doctor who loved her work so much that she hadn't retired, welcomed Sakura with a cheerful grin, "Sakura-chan! Was it Wednesday already? Goodness, I seem to forget the days." The old doctor gasped.

Sakura smiled at her Chiyo-Baa (the older woman insisted to call her that), finding it amusing that every week her doctor would say the same thing. Well, her pranks (yes, pranks, there were a lot more. And unfortunately, she was the test subject sometimes) of forgetting the day was so much better than her prank of playing dead the other time. God knew how Sakura almost had a heart attack (literally) when she walked in and found Chiyo lying on the floor. Good thing the elderly was sensible enough to put it off the moment she noticed it was Sakura who entered the door.

"Chiyo-Baa, how are you today?" Sakura asked politely.

The older woman chuckled, "Oh, don't worry about this old woman, young lass. I'm fine. Now come here and let's start that check-up of yours."

Taking immunosuppressant medication so that her own body wouldn't reject her new heart was one of the things that should be monitored on her condition. Sakura should also have regular dental check-ups aside from the normal ones. Monitoring her condition postoperative was critical for her to live longer than the expected life span of someone who had a heart transplant. Yes, it was too meticulous and troublesome but it was for her good, so Sakura bear it all despite her need to know if Naruto remembered her.

After a series of questions and physical exams, Sakura was good to go with as what Chiyo said. With a light skip on her steps when she found her way towards Naruto's room and belatedly stopped in front of the door. Sakura faltered, she couldn't possibly enter the room because there was a high possibility of Naruto not knowing who she was. Worst case scenario he would call the security. Hopefully, his mother was here. Kushina will definitely introduce her to him. Mustering enough courage, Sakura lifted her fist to knock. As she was about to knock, the door opened and Sakura never knew how relieved she was to see that it was Kushina who opened the door and not Naruto.

"Sakura-chan~" The redhead greeted cheerfully, she was obviously happy to see the pinkette. Tilting her head, Kushina gave the nervous looking Sakura a gentle smile, "He's at the hospital's garden." Reaching out and placing her hand to the nervous wrecked girl, Kushina said with a soothing voice "How about making friends again?"

Sakura grinned turning around and lightly running down the halls (even if Tsunade would surely scold her if she ever heard of it) asking for Kushina to "Wish me luck!"

…

…

It was a funny feeling. It was like diving head first to a pool of cold water, something like eating too much sweets yet your heart was making a hole through your chest, like your stomach was too heavy with butterflies fluttering about. Her heart beat faster than it ever did… Honestly, it was the first time she ever felt this way. How peculiar. Her steps started light and excited but as she drew nearer to the door that would open to the garden at the back her steps faltered and hesitated.

Did he remember her? What if he did not? What would she do if he did not?

Fear gripped her heart fiercely, making her built up confidence waver… But, would it be okay for her to leave things like that? She had finally found him (and how lucky she was to find him again), how could she let things go like that? What kind of a friend would she be (remembered or not) if she would not there when he needed someone the most? Besides, it's not like she was sure that he had forgotten all about her. It was just a possibility that he wouldn't remember, right? Right, there's still a chance that he would. Eyebrows furrowed with determination, Sakura trudged on. Pushing the glass door open, she scanned the surroundings. The garden was like as she remembered. The only difference was the cold the autumn wind brings.

Too soon (for her beating heart that is), she found his golden locks. He was sitting on his wheelchair under the shade of a huge tree. Silently (with hesitant-almost-want-to-turn-back-steps) she walked towards him. Upon reaching his stilled form, she noticed that his breathing was deep, his blue eyes hidden from the world, lashes fluttered shut and face oh so peaceful. Her fingers itched to touch the whisker like marks on his cheeks. She didn't mean to say it out loud but the next thing she knew, words already came tumbling from her mouth.

"What are you doing here?"

It was almost the barest of whispers but still his eyes opened. Surprised jade clashed with equally surprised sapphire. She unconsciously gulped. Nervously fumbling with the hem of her sleeves, Sakura smiled. "I'm glad you're okay now, Naruto."

…

…

His mind came up blank.

'Who was this girl? Who… Who are you?' Naruto wanted to ask out loud. He was itching to know just who the hell this mysterious girl is. But Naruto despite his obvious curiosity kept his mouth firmly shut. He watched as her clear jade eyes turn to a murky one filled with trepidation and hurt. He watched as she bit her lip with uncertainty. He watched as the healthy flush of her skin turn darker.

Despite the obvious signs of her distress, curiosity won out. Finally finding the courage to voice his thoughts, Naruto tentatively asked, "Who are you?"

She released a defeated sigh and frowned. Her eyes growing ever so misty and looked a bit tired but she swallowed the sadness pitting on her stomach. Giving him a brilliant smile, the girl answered, "I'm Haruno Sakura."

Silence elapsed between the two. Awkward silence swallowed the meager distance between them. She shuffled her feet, eyes travelling everywhere but on him. Naruto gulped and shifted on his seat himself. The name did sound familiar… he just couldn't remember where he heard that name as well as who this person in front of him was. His brows furrowed and he tried to remember. The memories were there; it was just too elusive that every time he thought that he had the answer within his grasp, it escapes and he was back to square one again. He knew that remembering her was vital, he just didn't know why.

Because he was so deep in thought, Naruto didn't notice Sakura as she shuffled nervously and steal anxious glances on him. But her sad voice did penetrate his musings.

"You don't remember, do you?" She said boring her jade eyes on his.

His smile was expressing a mixture of sadness and apology. "I'm sorry." It was the very peculiar how Naruto felt so disappointed on himself. It may not be his fault that he couldn't remember but his failing memories were what brought on the sadness on her eyes. He watched as Sakura turned around and walked a few steps. Dread settled on the pit of his stomach as the distance between them grew. 'Don't go. Not yet.' He thought. He was about to ask her to stop. Why? He didn't know. It just felt wrong for her not to be there. He wanted to talk to her, wanted to know her more. He wanted to understand why she seemed so important to him.

He heard her sigh and saw her turn back. She then plopped herself down on the grass beside him, hearing her mutter "Darn, no benches near" so softly. Sakura shook her head. "It's okay. I'll help you remember." She paused to give him a bright smile, "The very first time I saw you, was when I was six years old right here at this place too… and you're the very first friend I ever had…"

A few hours later where the sky bled orange and blue and purple and red, one could here laughter coming from the back garden.

…

…

"Sakura."

Sakura turned around to just in time to see her aunt enter her room. Her aunt was wearing a large smile which made Sakura wary. 'Cause really, her aunt smiling that huge brought goose bumps and made her hair rise. Eyeing the older woman oddly, Sakura dryly stated, "If you wish to know where I hid your last stash of sake, my lips are shut."

Tsunade's eyes widened, "What? You hid it?" Frantically, Tsunade almost ran out of Sakura's room. She was at the door when she abruptly stopped and turned back to Sakura, "Oh right." Tsunade backtracked and with a serious face stated, "Are you going to visit Naruto tomorrow?"

Sakura's eyes softened, "Yeah, I did promise him after all." It was already a week after she reintroduced herself to his life again. It was very awkward at first. After all, it was only a day that they knew each other. But still, the memories she made with him that day etched vividly on her memories. Albeit it was buried deep inside her mind until she saw him again, the memories made that day were close to her heart.

Tsunade's smile widened. "Then, you could come with me." Sakura's quizzical expression made the smile of Tsunade's face wider, "I will be delivering them good news after all. There's a large chance that Naruto could walk again, Sakura. He has to undergo a surgery to remove the bone fragments lodged on his spinal cord. Based on the tests done, it was the cause of his paralysis."

Sakura's eyes widened, "Then… then, after that, he could walk again?" Oh, how great would that be! Sakura was giddy to deliver the news. Naruto would be so happy.

Tsunade frowned a bit, entering her doctor-mode "Well, of course there's still a risk of the operation not going well. There's a possibility of complications or infections too. But as far as I could tell, the possibility of success is extremely high." Tsunade was still mumbling and it amazed Sakura how she focused her aunt could be when it came to her passion.

"Ne, Tsunade-sama, you're going to operate Naruto right?" Sakura asked hopefully. Tsunade was the best surgeon Konoha Hospital could offer. Most of all, Sakura trust Tsunade the most.

Distracted by the sound of Sakura's voice, it took a few seconds for Tsunade to answer, "Of course I'll be doing that operation. It must be done as soon as possible and requires great skill."

Sakura smiled broadly, hands behind her; Sakura said "Then Naruto is in good hands."

"Heh." Tsunade smirked; ego inflated because of the words her favorite niece. "As much as I love it when you shower me with compliments Sakura, flattery won't make me forget about you hiding my sake." Honey-colored eyes flashing, Tsunade gave Sakura a sinister smirk, "Now… where was it?"

…

…

Naruto's face wiped blank of emotions. Sakura was beginning to worry. She expected a wide grin and sparkling blue eyes when her aunt delivered the news of his surgery and its high possibility of success. She didn't expect such a blank expression though. His eyes were hollow, lips set on a straight line. When he noticed she was watching, he gave her a tight-lipped smile. She didn't understand why he was not happy, why he looked like that.

She didn't like this Naruto.

"Isn't it great, Naruto-chan?" Kushina didn't wait for her son's reply; her happiness couldn't be contained. Sakura diverted her eyes from Naruto and smiled a little at the obviously ecstatic older woman. Tsunade chuckled at her antics and shook her head. She asked for Kushina to accompany her to her office so she could answer some of Kushina's question. Leaving the two teenagers alone in the spacious and bland room, Sakura's eyes wandered back to his.

His eyes looked distant, hollow… like he was drowning and he sort of just given up.

Sakura hated that.

Pursing her lips, she bravely walked till she was in front of him. She purposely placed herself in front of him so that he would be forced to pay attention to her. Hands on her hips, she directed her narrow gaze to the still indifferent Naruto. They stared down at each other, neither speaking first nor giving in. Sighing tiredly, the pinkette dropped her hands on her side. "Would you like to go to the garden?"

Naruto's slightly shook his head yes. Sakura silently helped him on his wheel chair. She pushed it towards the back garden, the route oh so familiar for the both of them. Silence engulfed between the two. Neither thought of breaking them, neither made a noise to start a conversation, both immersed deeply in their thoughts.

When they finally reached the garden, Sakura pushed the wheelchair to that same tree a week ago. They settled themselves under the shade, with him on his chair and her plopping herself on the grass. They were in a comfortable position yet the silence that lapsed made her more uncomfortable. Shifting listlessly, she stole glances his way. His eyes still looked distant, a dark murky blue unlike the usual clear ones. Sakura frowned; of all the time she knew him, this was the first time Naruto didn't voice out his thoughts freely. Sighing and huffing at his unresponsiveness, she dared to ask, "Would you like to talk about it?"

He shifted and closed his eyes and silence followed. Sakura was debating inside herself whether to ask again or just leave it be when Naruto spoke at last, "I don't wish to be treated."

Sakura gasped lightly, eyes zeroing in on his form. Astonishment laced her voice and word, "What?"

"I don't want to forget." He reiterated. Sakura had no clue what he was talking about. She had a lot of question but opting on reaching for his hand and squeezing it lightly offering her silent support. Naruto's eyes were still clenched shut, but he continued on, "This… this inability. It's my penance. I-I killed her. I loved her so much yet I killed her." Fisting his hands, Naruto opened his eyes. Jade clashed with hardened blue. Hardened and beaten with anguish and guilt. "So this is my penance. The price that I will pay so as not to forget every moment I lived with her, every moment she was with me."

Sakura squeezed his hand, her face and eyes shrouded with her bangs. She was trying to keep the tears at bay. How could one be so selfless and selfish at the same time? How could he exist in the present yet live on his past? How could he do this to the people around him? The people who care, the people who's still here?

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked when he heard her sniffles, silent sobbing.

Upon hearing her name, jade eyes snapping with anger looked and bore onto his, "Your reasons are selfish and stupid." Naruto's eyes widened and narrowed wordlessly challenging her 'How so?' Sakura promptly replied upon the silent challenge, "Would she have wanted you to live this way? To be stuck in the past?" Tears were now rolling freely from her eyes. "Are you running away from everything Naruto?"

Naruto didn't say anything, just stubbornly jutting his chin up in defiance. Sakura glared, "I don't know anything about that person you were talking about. But I think, more than anything else, she would have wanted you to be happy every chance you could get… Not miserable. Not like this." With a final squeeze to this closed fist, the pink haired girl stood up, her hair blowing with the wind.

Naruto stayed at that place until it was dark enough and knew that everyone must have worried about him. But the time consumed in between was spent contemplating the words of a person who he only knew for a week but knew him almost all her life.

…

…

"Tsunade-sama?"

"Hm? Yes?"

"The operation… I want to do it."

"Heh. Took you long enough."

…

…

つづく

…

…

AN: I'm really sorry for the long delay. As what I said (or typed) on my profile, I had some problems with my research. Actually, it's still not resolved and this chapter is a product of discontinuous writing provided by my meager and limited free time. I'm very sorry if updates are slow, but please bear with me.

I'm typing right now and forsaking sleep for almost 24 hours so please forgive the mistakes both in grammar and spelling.

And I know I promised some NaruSaku but meh, there isn't much. There will be next chapter though. A really fluffy one. Lol.

Questions you might ask:

Why Sakura didn't know Hinata was Naruto's girlfriend: First, Sakura didn't see any photo of Hinata on the Hyūga estate. She never asked for one because she knew that the wound were still fresh for the family. Yes, she saw Hinata the first time that day of the accident but she didn't see her distinct feature – her eyes and she didn't know she was Hinata. Also, when she asked Shizune where she got the heart, she was only given a name not the cause or history of death. Naruto didn't give her a name either, so yeah.

Naruto's angst: Well, I guess one couldn't be cheerful if one blames one's self for the death of their love one. Naruto was very bitter of it. Especially since he didn't even got to attend Hinata's funeral what with him being coma and all. So, he clung to the only respite he could find on this situation, his only link to that disastrous day – his paralysis. He used it as a form of atonement because he couldn't forgive himself. A bit twisted but he's very depressed now. That's why Sakura was there. As what Tsunade said, she would anchor the boy to the reality and be strong enough for the both of them.

Please read my other NaruSaku fics: June Gloom, Time Loop Love Story, Difficult Love, Long Distance Love Affair, Pierrot, Words of Love and Of Film Girl and Lenses

Please be patient with me. That's all I could ever ask for. Oh and of course, PLEASE READ AND REVIEW and NO FLAMES please.

~Katarin Kishika