Broken Youth
(Life of Konoha Academy Teens)
CH2.5: Distance II
"Sorry, to disturb you guys again but-" Sakura began to say.
"Disturb? What are you talking about Sakura-chan? Of course we are glad to see you ladies," said Naruto popping up from behind and wrapping his arms around Hinata and Ino's neck. "Right guys?"
Sakura turned around an glared at him. 'Sasuke was right it is better without Naruto around.'
'Naruto-kun is touching me, I feel weak,' thought Hinata.
"Hinata-chan are you alright you're looking a little pale," said Naruto.
"N-no I'm fine," responded Hinata.
'Idiot you don't know how much you are affecting her just by being near her,' thought both Ino and Sakura.
"As I was saying before I got interrupted," Sakura said with a cough. "I came to give you this Sai." Sakura handed Sai the book.
"Oh, it's the book I had on hold at the library," said Sai a bit surprised.
"Yeah, I saw it when I was helping my mom sort the books the other day, and I thought I'd save you the hassle of going down to get it," said Sakura with a smile.
"Uh, thank you, but how much do I owe you?" asked Sai.
Sakura began to laugh. She thought Sai was joking but he was being serious. "Owe me? You make it sound like I'm some sort of bounty hunter or something. Sai you don't owe me anything I did it as a friendly favor." Sakura said with a smile and continuing to laugh.
'Good because I'm broke, somehow Naruto manged to empty me out in one sitting,' thought Sai.
"All you really need to do is return the book on time, you know or else," said Sakura.
"I can do that," said Sai with a smile.
"Ow. What happened to the left side of your face? It's all red," asked Sakura.
Naruto who had let go of Ino and Hinata was now next to Sai poking his cheek. "Whoa, I can't believe I didn't notice it earlier, it's huge," said Naruto.
"You're so stupid that you can't even see anything that is just underneath your nose," whispered Sasuke.
"Stop that, baka Naruto poking it is only making it worse," said Sakura.
"Um, what happened was..."said Sai glimpsing over at Sasuke who gave him a stern look. "Nothing, just a small misunderstanding."
"You know Ino or I could heal that wound up quickly with some medical ninjutsu," suggested Sakura.
"There's no need for that, I'll be fine," responded Sai.
"Are you sure Sai-kun?" asked Ino.
"Yes, and there is no need to worry over me, gorgeous," said Sai as he took out his glasses, put them on and began flip though the books pages.
'Kawaii! Sai-kun looks so attractive with glasses especially when he called me gorgeous,' thought Ino as a smile and blush appeared on her face.
"If that's the case then we should be going. I forgot we have to go meet up with Temari and Tenten," said Sakura turning around.
"Thanks again...Ugly-"said Sai looking at the inside of his book.
"What did you say?" asked Sakura rhetorically as she turned back around.
'Oh no,' thought both Ino and Hinata behind her.
"I thought he said he learned to keep his mouth shut in front of Sakura," whispered Sasuke.
'Not this again! I thought Sai was over the whole calling Sakura-chan dumb nicknames phase after what happened the last time. What should I do? If I help him Sakura-chan will beat me too,' Naruto thought as he took a step back.
"Calm down, Sakura maybe you misunderstood, you shouldn't act rationally," said Ino.
"Stop trying to defend him Ino. I know what I heard, and there's no mistaking it," said Sakura as she extended her hand to stop Ino from advancing forward.
"Ino-chan is right, please calm down Sakura-chan,"insisted Hinata.
"It's impossible, so please stand aside I don't want any of you to get hurt,"said Sakura as she walked forward.
'Aw man, Sai is really going to get it now. There's only one person that could possibly stop this right now, but I doubt he will. Sasuke is probably amused by seeing Sai suffer,' thought Naruto.
"Sakura-chan it is true that I used the word ugly but I swear I wasn't referring to you. I was only reading my book aloud," said Sai.
"Don't swear in vain Sai," Sakura said clenching her fist. "If you really think I would fall for a stupid trick like that then you dead wrong!" She ran and swung her right fist at his face. "Shannaro!"
Everybody closed their eyes at the moment of impact.
"Sai-kun!" screamed Ino as she rushed to him. Ino glared at Sakura as she run passed her.
Sakura shrugged and said: "Well at least his cheeks will be even now."
Hinata went and picked up the book that Sai had dropped, she opened it and glanced at the first page.
"Um...Sakura-chan, Sai-kun wasn't lying," said Hinata.
"Hinata-chan's correct," Naruto said behind Hinata looking over her shoulder.
"What? Let me see," Sakura said looking at the book and reading the first page.
The page read:
Ugly- unattractive in physical features mainly facial.
The word ugly can have one of many reactions:
1) The person could agree and get depressed.
2)The person could be unaffected.
3)The person could disagree and get angry.
4)...
5)...
P.S: Use caution when using this word towards the female gender,
they could get extremely irritated and could lead to sever consequences.
"Oops! Now I feel a bit bad," Sakura said with a indecisive laugh. "Yet he should had know not to say that word around me." Sakura closed her eyes and lifted her head up high. _
"Sai-kun!Sai-kun! Please walk up!" shouted Ino. It was no use the unconscious Sai could not hear.
"How is he?" asked Sakura. "Not good, I think you killed him, he is not reacting!" said Ino.
"Don't exaggerate, That little punch couldn't have killed him, he's just knocked out some medical ninjutsu will patch him right up," said Sakura.
"That's easy for you to say since you weren't the one who almost got killed," said Ino.
"Stop arguing and just do it, unless you really want him die," said Sakura humorously.
Ino remained quiet as she gathered up chakra in the palms of her hands.
Sasuke chuckled and began to walk towards the school.
"Hey, Where are you going Teme?" asked Naruto.
Sasuke turned his head and said: "It's not like you really need to know but to my locker. You should go to after you're done with this...mess."
"So you're just going to ditch us?" said Naruto.
"You know where I'm going so I wouldn't consider it ditching, besides I also have to go hang out with Juugo and Suigetsu," said Sasuke.
"Fine," said Naruto crossing his arms.
Sasuke soon walked and disappeared through the front door. _
"I don't know if my healing is working he doesn't seem to be making any progress," said Ino in a worried tone.
"Just be patient," assured Sakura.
Ino concentrated all her energy on her hands. After a while Sai slowly started to awaken and open his eyes.
"Did I die? If not, why does there seem to be an angel in front of me?" said Sai.
"You're not dead and I can assure I'm not an angel," Ino said with her face as red as an apple.
Sai began to sit himself up.
"Not force yourself, I'm still not done healing you," said Ino.
"Are you sure you're not my guardian angel? You did just saved me from utter death," said Sai.
Ino giggled as she fanned her face with her hand.
'Now he made Ino full of herself,' thought Sakura. "Sai I want to ask for forgiveness, I didn't actually believe you were telling the truth and I'm sorry." Sakura bowed her head.
"It's okay I forgive you, it was just a misunderstanding, but maybe next time could you listen before you punch," suggested Sai. 'Sakura-chan and Sasuke-san would make a great couple since they both don't listen and they both like beating me. On second thought them being a pair would mean double trouble for me.'
"I'll try to but I can't promise anything." said Sakura. "Maybe with this incident you'll learn to be careful with what you read aloud."
"And to read the small letters before you open your mouth," added Naruto.
"Another lesson learned the hard way, I guess," said Sai standing up with the assistance of Ino. "Where's Sasuke-san?"
"He already left, he said he had to spend some time with his other friends," said Naruto as he helped Sai support himself.
"We should go too then," said Sai. "Thanks for everything Ino-chan."
"Yeah, no problem," said Ino as she released him.
"Here's your book Sai-kun," said Hinata handing it to him.
"Oh, thank you," Sai said with a smile.
"Tenten and Temari must be growing impatient," said Sakura. "Let's hurry up and go, we don't want to make those two mad." Sakura ran to the door.
"Right,"said Hinata and Ino with a nod as they ran after her.
"Hey, girls wait for us!" Naruto said extending his arm in their direction as if he could reach them. It was to late the girls vanished from him again.
"Thanks a lot Sai, since I got stuck babysitting you, both Sasuke and the girls ditched us," Naruto stated.
Sai only gave Naruto a shrug and a smile, as if saying: oh well it's your choice not mine.
Continuing...