Chapter 9

Jagged Severance

Faster.

She needed to run faster.

She bunched up the front of her shirt with her free hand and tugged, gasping desperately for breath. Her healing elbow throbbed and bruised, but the pain dug into her skin and sharpened her senses. Her eyes teared up in defence, reminding her that she'd pay later for abusing her arm. She pumped harder.

I need to see him.

Her chest burned and her stomach was cramping up. She stumbled to a stop, her protesting feet finally heard. Sakura looked up and whirled around, desperate for a glimpse of the nin. Where was he?

From her position on her living room floor, she tilted her head up to catch a glimpse of the calendar. It has already been two full days. Sakura smiled weakly as the thought circled through her head. She lied back down, feeling the faint trembles of her hardwood floor. She has already survived two full beautiful days since Sasuke left her at that place.

Now it was just like back then, when she was still in that frigid, barren place, unmoving and unable to; even back in the comfort of her own walls, she felt no better. The sun kept on streaming in through her windows and its warm rays only made her want to become even smaller. She was convinced she didn't deserve the comfort of it.

His words circled back to her, teasing and prickling her delicate feelings again. They tortured her and it made her nose burn the way it did just before salted water gathered at the rim of her eyes. It was like back in the school days when every comment scraped away another piece of self-confidence. Young Sakura didn't know what to say to those cruel snarls; she simply submitted and tried not to cry. It was terrible to feel so small and weak, but her heart was just that. She'd do anything for anyone; there was no need hurt her feelings.

So how could people be so mean?

Sakura was still pathetic like that. To hurt over and over again, over words that he had shed without a care. Her blistered fists did nothing to stop him from snaking through her nonexistent cracks to poison her thoughts. She has to stop. But god, it hurts so much.

She took in another deep lungful to fill up that hollow spot in her chest and pleaded to herself stop this torment. Slowly, Sakura shuffled into a crossed legged position. The girl scratched her head and didn't bother to stifle her yawn. She stared at her wooden clock, hung up above her calendar, only to feel even heavier.

Where was Kakashi? Everyday since, exactly at 10 in morning, he'd appear by her door like a shinobi reporting for duty. A quick two tapped knock would be followed by a strangely comforting session of silent company. He'd simply sit himself down on one of her armchairs, after setting out the takeout on the kitchen table, and pull out a book or any tedious paperwork. Kakashi would stay there for hours on end, treating her living room as his office. He never tried to pry things out of her or scrutinize the girl under an analytical eye.

When he left the first night, she was alone for the first time since he found her. After that terrifying night by herself, Sakura counted down the minutes until Kakashi came along again.

"I feel so miserable," she called out softly, her voice cracking.

She couldn't dwell in her sad little hole of depression forever. People will notice and when people notice, they ask questions.

Maybe he just wasn't coming today. After how she pushed him last night, maybe he thought it meant that she didn't want him to come back anymore. It had started out just fine, like every other day he came.

Sakura had met him at the door that day, at the same time as everyday before then. As soon as she opened the door she walked back to her position on her armchair, uninterested. He always made himself at home, unpacking all the goodies from his paper bag. Two takeout cartoons were placed side by side on her tea-table, and a stack of slightly crumpled working paper was the last to come out..

"This one," he motioned to one of the cartons, "is chicken, the other is pork. Take your pick."

Kakashi sat on her couch and pulled out two pairs of chopsticks with a bundle of napkins from his magical, bottomless paper baggie. He slid one over to her and split his, rubbing them together to get rid of any unwanted splinters. Kakashi opened both of the cartons and placed his hands back on his hip. He looked at her with anticipation.

She just kept on staring out the window.

"Pork it is then," he said with amusement, grabbing the chicken for himself, "Never been much of a pig person myself. Must have been religious in a past life."

She sighed, gingerly took her food and eating utensil and pulled her legs up onto her chair. She had picked at the food and continued to gaze out the window. Somehow, she always felt like she needed to give Kakashi the courtesy of not looking at him while he ate. It followed the same standards he granted her with: don't ask, don't look. However disappointing it was, he never ate long anyways. It's like he had an extra mouth on his stomach because his cartons would be wiped clean in inhumanely time.

The sound of ruffling papers filled up the air and this carried on until Kakashi was done with each one of his mission reports. The lights were on by then and Sakura somehow made her way beside him, curled up on the couch like a pet cat. He yawned, stretched and rubbed his eyes. He glanced at her clock and sighed.

"Hey," he said softly, "I've got to get going now."

He looked down at the pink mop of hair and ruffled it to make sure she was actually awake.

"Can't you stay this time?" it replied.

She couldn't see the expression on his face, but her skin tingled underneath his scrutiny. He didn't say anything for a while, but felt the faint tug of her hair every now and then as he played with it.

"You know I can't."

She turned onto her back to look straight up at him. He did look spent.

"But you always say no. I'm better when you are here."

He looked up at the ceiling and contemplated it.

"You know I'm not even suppose to be here, Sakura," he said, gazing blankly at the wall, "It's not..."

Appropriate. Neither of them has said anything about that boundary, no matter how close they've come to it at times. It was like one of those moments when you think ,'what the fuck' inside, but don't actually do anything about it. She didn't like that he was finally trying to talk about it. It pissed her off how much of an effort she was making to get better, but that he'd just shut her down and walk away every time.

"Well you are," she said angrily, "so why are you here, Sensei. God knows what people will start saying once they realize how often you come visit your student."

She began to reach out a hand to his face. "That's what scares you, huh? That's-"

"Enough Sakura." He caught her hand.

She fell silent when he released her hand and the couch bounced a little bit when it lost the pressure of his weight. Her pride didn't let her apologize. She felt his anger fuming as he packed though, a silent rage he always kept to himself.

"I guess my visit here is done," he had said briskly, straightening his papers into a neat pile. He headed for the door as Sakura stayed uselessly on the couch.

"Night." He closed the door behind him. She has been alone since.

Alone, there were only her memories left that could keep her company. They crowded around her, playing more vividly the more she tried to shut them out. She felt Sasuke again, shaking her shoulders, urging her to comply with him.

There was a knock on her door.

She froze. Her stomach felt sick with eagerness she didn't want to let herself feel. There was another tap. Sakura bolted upright and very nearly raced to the door, eyes glistening like an addict. She didn't even bother to look through the peep hole; she unfastened the locks as fast as she could and wrung the door open.

For a second all she saw was the shadow cast by the person standing in front of her. Deja vu smacked her in the face and an all too familiar spell of nausea overcame her. She staggered a little bit before she gathered enough clarity to look up and see who it actually was.

It was just Kakashi with one arm cradling a paper baggie and the other up for a wave.

Sakura crushed herself against his chest. She took him in, heart fluttering like a rabbit's, and held on tightly to his vest. She didn't realize how scared she was until she felt herself teem with relief. She almost believed he wasn't coming today. She almost believed that she'd have to be alone for another full day again.

But her pulse didn't slow at all. Instead, the relief only got swept up by the panic, carrying her to her peak again. Sakura started shaking.

"You're late," she choked.

"What..." he started stiffly before stopping. "C'mon, let's get inside first."

He closed the door behind him. Sakura could feel a big sigh leave his chest. His stance loosened and he leaned against the door as Sakura tried to calm down. He hesitantly rested a hand on the top of her head, the other trying to hold her up; she was trembling to a point so violent that she was almost convulsing.

It was going to happen again. She head butted against Kakashi's chest and stared at the floor, breathes barely squeezing out of her narrow airway. She was sweating and shaking, but above all, it was the fear that held her at gun point. It was all-consuming. It swallowed her whole, spat her back out only to drag her down into its depths again. The fact that she could no longer remember why she was so panicked scared her even more.

Kakashi rubbed his hands up and down her arms as he lead her to the couch. She struggled the whole way, fingers tangled in her hair.

"I thought we were past this stage," he muttered.

Kakashi quickly dumped out the contents of the bag and held it up to Sakura's mouth. He tried to gently, but firmly wrench her hands off her hair to properly hold it in place.

"Come on, Sakura, just breathe, it'll be over soon," he murmured.

She squeezed her eyes shut, tears beading out, and shuddered again, as if she was trying to shed off her panic attack.

The minutes ticked by and her spasms were reduced to numbing twitches. When she regained back some balance, she shifted over and leaned against him, seeking small comfort. Sakura didn't do anything for a while except breathing in through the bag and watching the world fuzz up a tad bit every time his heartbeat caused her head to move. One of his hands was tucked neatly between his stomach and her while the other rested on the top of the couch.

"Didn't see that one coming," he said suddenly, breaking up the silence.

"No one actually anticipates panic attacks," she rasped out quietly.

"Thought this stage was over," he drawled out again, "You told me that after a set amount of time has passed since you last attack, it meant you will no longer have any. You were doing so well."

He inquired as if he knew the answer. She weakly tried to wobble up into a sitting position only for him to slide off and ease her back down. He pulled a pillow under her head and walked to where he unloaded his cargo on the kitchen table.

"Well, I lied."

"I know," he responded, sounding amused, "However, I was hoping that the truth wouldn't come out like this."

She felt heavy as lead so even anger didn't revive her. She just lied there in discomfort, willing the ache to leave faster.

"You should have realized that I already have at least some sort of experience with...anxiety. Fought in a few wars, remember? Not all nins are able to cope with the constant deaths and living conditions. Many a time has the buddy next to me started convulsing and screaming about nothing."

She glared at him and tried to regain some sort of dignity. Sakura was still tipsy though. She felt strangely light, like she was partly defying gravity. Her chest, however, was heavy and tight. The aftermath of her attacks were never pleasant nor overly vexatious.

"It was really quite routine for me back then."

She didn't say anything in return. She didn't want to ruffle his feathers again. However cold her demeanour was, she was still glad he was here to help her cope. Being a medic and all, she knew she was getting better. Be that as it may, the small build up of stress staged the perfect platform for another attack. The tiny window of time when she thought it was him, was enough to trigger another reaction.

"What is all that?" she asked, staring dumbly at the lunch boxes.

He raised an eyebrow at her tepid attempt at small talk.

"I brought bento today. A cartoon of eggs and bread too, actually."

"Another two days and you'll become a full-fledged house wife."

Kakashi smiled and crossed his arms.

"Looks like my queen of quips is back."

"I..." she said, sitting up (out of pure stubbornness). He strode back over with the food and sat down beside her

Sakura continued quietly, "I'm sorry, alright? I shouldn't have crossed the line yesterday and...I didn't mean to..."

She couldn't finish. He looked at her for a few seconds, studying her profile, before he reached over and grasped her knee. She looked at him.

"I know."

He resumed carrying out his banal activities and opened his bento, leaving the elephant in the room be. Sakura did not address it anymore either because it was obviously a touchy subject to him. For once his professionalism showed cracks and Kakashi wasn't doing anything to patch them up. Maybe she was only over thinking everything and this wasn't as big of a deal to him as she thought it was. Perhaps he was checking up on her with simple concern of a preacher. Either way, she didn't want to think too deep into it. If she did, she felt like it would ruin everything and she liked the way things were right then.

"Aren't you going to eat that? It's apparently packed full of protein and contains all the nutrients a youth should take at every meal."

"I don't exactly have a good appetite," she said dryly.

"More for me."

She looked under her stubby tea-table for the remote. Sakura blew some of the dust off and pressed the ON button. The mini telly blinked to life, playing a static-y soap opera.

"What's this, jokes AND tv? I should be tardy more often."

"You have no idea how ironic that was."

Sakura imagined he grinned, but her eyes were fixed on the screen.

"I'm just saying, what's with the sudden good mood? I'm done eating, by the way."

She breathed deeply, slightly annoyed with the lingering side affects of her attack. "I thought about it when I was...like, here. I decided that I needed to stop this self-pitying. As a medic, I should know better than anyone that I can't rot here forever."

Sakura looked back at Kakashi, who had another unreadable expression on his face. It might have been outline of his mouth quirked up through the mask.

"I wasn't actually serious when I asked you; I know how irritated you get about being pestered..." he paused and continued quietly, "But thank you for telling me, Sakura."

She switched her attention back to the tv.

"I swear you sound older than me now," he mused, extending his monologue, "Most teens get pratty and self-assured. You just become sagely. I don't know if this should be worrisome or not."

"Well, I was brought up by you so I think I still turned out just fine."

"Touché," he said smiling, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

Kakashi ditched the rest of his duties that day. Maybe it was actually his day off, but Sakura liked to think he chose her over his work that time. She glanced over at him once, amidst their 'drama-mocking marathon', and had to bite her lip to stop herself from smiling. She almost blushed. The old man really wasn't bad at all. He was great.

After that, he continued to come for a few more days. On the day before the last, Sakura tried to convince him to bring something 'snazzy' next time to celebrate her decision of finally going out again. Something like red wine perhaps. He showed up the next day with a pair of pink and yellow wine coolers and almost giggled out loud from the thrill of sneaking her one of those. She rolled her eyes at him, but they had a good night nonetheless. Sakura's little girl crush only flourished more.

Sakura started crying before she knew it. They flowed freely from her eyes, leaving behind little bits of her shield in their wake. He was here, so close, yet she couldn't find him. She needed to be back by his side. The girl came to an abrupt stop and suddenly crouched down, huddling around her knees. As her blood pounded through her ears, she tried to think. Where would he be?

The hospital.

She self-consciously smoothed down the side of her hair. It wasn't sleek and shiny or anything, but at least it was presentable. Her other hand was occupied by a brown paper bag from take-out. Sakura thought it would be hilariously ironic if she showed up at his door with food for him. She's never done this before, but she really wanted to see him again. Here goes nothing. She smiled to herself and stepped forward to knock on the door.

After Kakashi's frequent visits, she finally popped back into society again. This is the first time she has seen him since his last visit so she wasn't prepared for the angry expression Kakashi had when he opened the door. After the shock registered on his face, it looked like he was ready to chuck her off of his doormat and lock the door. Her eager anticipation turned into humiliation and regret. She felt so stupid there, standing unwanted outside of someone's doorsteps.

"Who is it, Hatake?" a baritone called out.

She froze. He had guests. An actual growl escaped his throat and he cursed silently. His eye conveyed clearly how vexed he was. Before he could form a lie out loud, he turned around to see that his guest was already behind him. Sakura didn't know him, but she's seen him once or twice in the local pub with the usual rowdy clique. His eyes widened curiously.

"Well look at that. Who's this little flower, all dressed up and fresh, standing out here for you, Hatake?"

Kakashi frowned at Sakura and started in a light tone, "Oh it's just-"

"Isn't she your student?"

He froze and another man emerged. Her ruefulness grew deeper and she wanted to disappear. She placed him into such an awkward and difficult situation.

"Student?" The first man repeated, his joking tone suddenly switched into disapproval.

"Yeah...yeah, yeah, it's her. No one can forget those pink locks," he continued, "Haruno-san, right?"

She didn't dare meet the man's eyes. By the sound of his voice, however, she knew him. He was part of the platoon that usually oversees the deliveries of anaesthetics from Suna. Hideo Kase. Sakura looked to Kakashi for guidance, but he wouldn't meet her eyes. Oh, shitshitshit. What have I done?

"It's not what you think," she blurted out before Kakashi could smooth things over.

A pile of rocks tumbled into her chest. She could see the lights go off in the men's eyes. If they didn't suspect it before, it was definitely out there now.

"Why is Haruno-san here at your house?" the man that she didn't know said.

Kakashi's silence only made the situation more stiff. She felt the two men scan her from her head to the take-out and down to her scrunched up toes. She could only imagine what circled through their heads. Taboo. Shameless. Sickening.

"Sakura, what are you doing here?" Kakashi said bitingly, playing innocent.

She could only stare up at him like the trembly doe caught in the three looming headlights. He abandoned him on this. She tried to stutter something out to save Kakashi and herself. She looked past the men into his apartment, frantically searching for an idea. She met Genma's frowning eyes instead. She could feel her eyes burn, with the threat of tears knowing he was here too.

Her heart beat faster. Her grip tighter. She wanted to bolt.

Suddenly, Genma started laughing hysterically. The guys looked back at him stupidly.

"What the fuck is wrong with that bastard?" 'flower' man said, irritated.

Everyone looked dumbly at him until Genma wiped a tear dramatically from his eye and beamed at Kakashi.

"Man, you should have seen your face! That look of terror; I thought you were going to squeal like a little girl. Ahahaha..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well," he grinned at Sakura like they shared a secret together, "it was all me and this little angel right here."

He pushed himself off the couch and strolled forward with a slight spring in his step. He didn't stop until he was right in between Sakura and everyone else, and slapped her shoulder continuously, like someone would slap their knee at a corny joke. Kakashi's door was getting awfully cramped. Kakashi looked uncomfortable, constantly sneaking looks around. Genma noticed.

"Let's all go back inside, gentlemen. You too Sakura; I can't take all the credit."

Kakashi looked more than happy to retreat back into the safety of his opaque walls. Kase and 'flower' man were reluctant, though. They weren't children that were easily herded into the classroom with a promise of treats.

"Have you two already aged into such old men that you can't even take a joke? Come on," Genma taunted, becoming impatient.

Treats were useless. Their egos however, were priceless to them.

The lot followed Kakashi back inside. When Sakura made the move to follow, Genma squeezed his grip on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. She caught Genma's humourless look before he marched them in to join the men at Kakashi's couch.

"So would you like to explain, Genma?" Kakashi said quietly. He didn't look at Sakura, but knowing him, she knew that he had already calculated his options and decided Genma was his best way out. The brunette plopped down onto the sofa and stretch out his hands on either side. Sakura sat down beside him, close enough to be in the safety of his reach.

"Aww, Kakashi, not you too? Am I the only one here that doesn't host cheese and wine tasting parties nowadays? Don't take things so seriously! I was just looking for a laugh."

Genma paused for effect and rolled his senbon between his teeth. He leaned his head back and peered down at the men, disappointed.

"It was just a prank, alright? All of you work too hard. This has been the 5th meeting in a row we've been in to amend the importing procedures now. Konoha isn't going to crumble just because we decide to take a day off or something. I just wanted some fun. I mean, who actually reads through the entire terms and conditions before signing off packages anymore?"

She stared at her clasped hands in her lap, anxiously wondering if they bought it, but too scared to actually look up and see for herself.

"Tsunade-sama insisted," Kase mused.

"That's beside the point. What prank?" 'flower' man growled.

"Fujikawa-san," Genma started, exasperated, "Don't you ge-"

"He sent my student to my doorsteps, looking as if arriving for a date inside, just when he knew we were having a meeting," Kakashi said, almost smiling at Genma.

"The take out was all Sakura actually; it was a nice touch though," Genma winked at her.

She almost deflated with immense relief right there and then. She knew they've known each other for a long time, but it has never been reflected as well as it has before this.

'Fujikawa-san' snorted and shook his head while Kase tried to hide his relieved smile.

"This was not a funny prank, Shiranui," Fujikawa said irately, "You took it too far. Teacher student relationships aren't to be taken lightly. You could have seriously damaged Hatake's-"

Kakashi butted in, "It's alright, Fujikawa, Genma only did so with good intentions. It's true that we've worked tirelessly on this.

"Sakura?" he said, causing her to abruptly stiffen. "Sorry that he had to pull you into this stunt of his. If he asks you to do anything...unnecessary again, you don't have to mind him. He abuses his jounin status too much," he continued, drawing the attention back to Genma.

It was just the two of them now. Her brief moment in the spot light of his eyes was gone and now he was back with his buddies. She disappeared into the background.

"I do? How many times have you used your reputation to get away with duties and bills?"

"Well that's because I've gotten to the point where I can use my status to save up my time and resources. Can't say much about you though."

Genma laughed, delighted and said, "Oh snap!"

Sakura allowed a small smile to settle itself onto her lips. She liked this new face of his. Kakashi has never been that quick to her. They've always had their debates and retorts, but after seeing him with his friend, she realized that there was always an edge of politeness to him. He was never this open and frank with her like with Genma. She envied that. Sakura accidentally caught Kase's eyes. Her awkwardness returned.

"Ha...yes," Kase chuckled, "But why don't we take up Shiranui-san's idea? How about we end the meeting and just take the day off. We deserve it. Haruno-san is probably aching to leave."

He glanced at Sakura and she saw sympathy flash through his eyes.

"It's aa-" her voice came out squeakily. She cleared her throat and tried again, "It's alright."

They stood up one by one and walked to the door, chatting. Sakura followed behind them feebly. Kakashi was the last to stand. She was dying to find out whether his stare was burning a hole in her back or if it was her paranoia. Kase bowed a polite goodbye and Fujiwaka apologized for his behaviour, gruffly introduced himself and left quickly enough to hint to her he didn't really want to be acquainted with her.

"See you all next time," Genma called out cheerfully.

He resumed talking about nonsense with Kakashi and Sakura tried to take this opportunity to bolt.

"Sakura," Genma said sternly in a low voice.

She watched mournfully as the silhouettes of the two men disappeared around the corner of Kakashi's apartment.

She turned around and braced herself for when she made eye contact with him. His jovial mood was gone. He only had a dead expression left on his face for her. Kakashi was silent as well, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

"I don't know what is going on between you two, but keep it in check because there won't always be someone there to cover for the both of you. Sakura, you should have known better."

Her brows burrowed together and she almost trembled under his disapproval. She watched him share a long look with Kakashi before he started to leave.

When he passed her, he gently patted her shoulder and said more softly this time, "Just be more careful. The decisions you make will affect Kakashi as well."

He smiled at her and left. Left her alone with Kakashi. The moment she has dreaded ever since she heard another voice in Kakashi's apartment has finally come up. She almost cost him his...

But it ended out fine, didn't it? Maybe she was blowing everything out of proportion. Besides, he's been visiting her at her place for a while now anyways. Maybe this didn't really matter. Her clouding doubts were getting tiresome.

Nevertheless, his silence didn't do anything to comfort her. She watched as he pinched the bridge of his nose and sigh. He looked like he could barely contain himself from lashing out at her.

"So what did you come here for," Kakashi asked calmly.

She could still see the takeout bag that sat on his kitchen table through his open doorway. For a second, she was consumed by a wave of spite towards him. He clearly knew why she came. He was still putting her on the spot. It was like the time when Kakashi left her to think of an excuse when they were caught at his doorsteps. She began to think that when it comes down to it, she will have to fend for herself.

She wasn't going to succumb to him, though. "I figured I'd bring you lunch to thank you for everything."

"We could have just grabbed lunch somewhere. You should have came and asked me out in the open first."

Sakura could still feel his accusations through his composure. She wished she could be as collected as he was.

"We never just 'grab lunch somewhere,' you always come to me. So why is it so bad when I do the same?" she said, her upset tone giving her away.

"Because you were in no such state to do so."

She stopped at his blatant reply. Sakura realized how much of a brat she behaved to him then.

"Sakura," he said, looking as if he didn't know what to do with her, "you can't just stop by at my apartment whenever you want. People only ever believe what they see."

He looked away and shifted testily around. "I am you teacher, Sakura. I can be like your friend and I will always help you where I can, but do not come to my very doorsteps without being on a professional basis."

She was speechless. His words tore grotesque wounds inside her. She felt he was gutting her alive, taking her up into his hands and squeezing her, leaving her alive enough so that she could still feel the pain.

"Do you hear me Sakura? There...-"

"I get it, okay?," she said angrily, her jade eyes burning with scorn. "I won't."

"And when I came over...I was...I was just trying to help you through the hardships. You understand right?"

Her budding sweet affections for that man were suddenly just embarrassing fragments of her thoughts that she became to loathe. How could she be so stupid. So naïve.

"Please," she said in a shaky voice, "You're just in denial. Too afraid to admit it?"

She wanted him to hurt too.

"Are you afraid of what I can do to you if you stick around me too long? Huh?" she challenged him.

His eye widened, offended, and Sakura immediately recoiled. She did it again; taunting him in a way she'd later regret. Bridges burned and everything said, they watched each other until Sakura muttered, "What ever. I said I get it; I won't come find you again."

She walked away, as normally as she could, but the moment she turned the corner and disappeared from his sight, she ran all the way home, leaping and weaving through town like she was chased by the devil. She slammed her door behind her and wheezed, out of breath. As she slid down her back against the door, she suddenly remembered the take-out food she left at his place and started crying because she'll never get it back.

Days past and they haven't spoken since except for two quick hellos. Once when her group of friends spotted him at a café they were at and two, when he and a nurse barged into the room Tsunade and herself were training in.

Eventually he found her and Naruto one day and asked them to go on a mission with Sai. She accepted politely. He nodded and set off. Neither of them really acknowledged or talked to each other. They had ANBU masks on in broad daylight. She watched him walk off to continue his daily routine. She felt hollow.

She ran for it, pumping her arms so hard, her injured arm ripped free from the bandana that secured it against her chest. The pain burned through her veins and electrified her nerves.

Her legs were heavy and she was getting dizzy. Sakura's vision focused in and out, making it difficult for her to walk in a straight line. Her shortage of exercise during her recovery did her no good. He had to be in there. She pushed through the doors, a hand pressed against her temple. Sakura pushed into the hospital and looked around frantically.

"Sakura-san?" a worried voice beckoned to her.

She made eye contact with the mousey nurse at the front desk. She stumbled forward and tried to form her question between her shallow breaths.

"He's here," she said eagerly, understanding the look in her eyes, "Come with me."

In the end, she couldn't do it. She had to see him. She had to be near him. The pull was too strong.