In contrary to what people may have expected, Sasuke and Sakura rarely talked. They were both too preoccupied with their work. Instead of Sasuke picking Sarada from Sakura's apartment during Friday nights, it would always either be Itachi or his mother. Sakura never dared to go to Uchiha mansion either; she would politely ask the older Uchiha to accompany Sarada in school Monday morning.
In the first few weeks, Itachi thought that they may just have fought once again, something that could be resolved in a few weeks. It was as if his brother and the mother of his niece had made him into a nanny. He still did not voice out his concerns though when a few weeks turned into months; he carefully observed them.
Soon after Sarada turned five, his little niece carefully planned her birthday party. Sarada asked her Grandma Mikoto to go swimming on a beach. Mikoto was reluctant at first; many people would recognize them, she thought. Seeing his only granddaughter frowned a bit, Fugaku laid a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"We'll go to the beach if that's what you like." He said, earning a cheerful smile from Sarada.
To say the least, Sasuke and Sakura had not gotten over their fight even after several months. They acted civilly to each other though for their daughter's sake. Whenever Sarada called out for them to join her in building a sandcastle, they were quick to oblige. Their father rented the whole beach resort for the day, making his granddaughter's wish come true.
And as expected, Sarada inquired regarding the lack of people.
"Mama, in the picture, I see many people swimming at the beach- why is it that it's only us here?" The little girl asked while using her mini shovel to make more sandcastles.
Sakura carefully fleeted her eyes on Sasuke, who was busy helping their daughter digging holes. "This beach is different from what you see in pictures, Sarada. Only a few people can get here." Sasuke answered.
"Why Papa?" Sarada paused her digging to look at Sasuke.
"You see, Sara-chan, it is like going to school- Mama and Papa can't go in your classroom, right? We have to stay outside until you finish your class. It's like that. This beach can only occupy a few people because the owner does not want to disturb the fishes." Sakura explained this time, hoping that their daughter would be satisfied.
Then, Sarada gave both of her parents a worried look. "Are the fishes sleeping this time? Are we waking them up? Should we leave?"
Laughing lightly, Sakura gestured her daughter to come closer to her. "It's okay. You are not too loud to wake them up. Besides, they live a little far away from the shore."
That was the last time Itachi had seen Sasuke and Sakura talked. Up until now, they were trying to avoid each other. The aspect of them attending the Family day together could be really worrisome.
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Ino had been anxious. She had been visiting her best friend often in the hospital to remind her to eat and rest. Ino was aware that her childhood friend could really disregard her own needs and continue working until she dropped. This was one of those days. One of Sakura's patients was a little girl of Sarada's age. Her name was Nami.
Nami was a bright child. She had been diagnosed with leukemia when she was still 3. Sakura made a great job prolonging the child's life even though a lot of experts said that there was nothing that could be done for Nami. Sakura had been working on her case for almost two years now.
Today, Nami would be having one of her sessions for chemotherapy. For the past year, Nami was becoming better so Sakura suggested taking her home to rejuvenate. It was also to help the family with increasing hospital bills. However, a week before her chemotherapy session, Nami started vomiting and crying non-stop because of an intense headache.
Sakura was distressed. She had been researching different types of cure for the child. Nami had even responded greatly to medications, however, after only a few weeks, Sakura would start seeing bad indications of Nami's worsening condition once again.
Sakura could barely remember when was the last time she ate. With Sarada spending the weekend with the Uchihas, she could only guess that she had been in the hospital now for thirty-six hours. And now looking at Ino seated in her office clearly unimpressed, Sakura already knew what would come next.
"Dr. Haruno, wow, how ironic to call you a doctor when you can't even handle to take care of yourself. You look like shit, Forehead." Ino said, crossing her arms in the process.
"Nami has not been feeling better. I don't think we can push through with her chemotherapy sessions anymore. I don't know what to do, Ino. The last thing I care about is how do I look." Sakura said, dragging her feet to a nearby couch.
"Well, you have to. You can't expect your patients to trust you to heal them when you aren't clearly yourself. Just please eat something. I brought you some udon on my way here. Ten minutes top, and you can go back on your research."
Not even halfway from her meal though, her pager buzzed from her medical coat. But before Ino could ask what's wrong, Sakura started sprinting the hallways of the hospital. Soon, she found another doctor and a nurse already reviving Nami.
Sakura quickly shoved them away, and soon she found herself crying while trying to revive the already lifeless body of the little girl. "Please, please, Nami. Fight. You can do this." She muttered while pumping the child's chest.
When evidently it wasn't working, Sakura proceeded to get hold of the defibrillator, but the older doctor held out her arm saying there was nothing that could be done. "No! I can save her! I know!" She yelled.
With all the commotions, they started getting the attention of everyone outside. Tsunade, Sakura's mentor, came along with Ino and Shizune soon after. The older doctor and nurse stepped outside seeing the head of the hospital. "Sakura…" Tsunade started.
"I can save her, Tsunade-sama!" Sakura yelled, still performing a CPR.
"Sakura, that's enough."
Sakura started sobbing, clutching Nami's little hand. The only thought she had was how to tell the girl's parents of her failure to save their only daughter.
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It was the first time Sakura lost a patient. And although Tsunade reassured her that she did everything she could, she still felt blaming herself. Nami could have been a lawyer, a nurse, a teacher. But now, she's gone. For quite a time, Nami had become fond of Sakura. She said that she liked Sakura's hair and that it was really pretty. She even refused to be treated by other doctors except for Sakura.
Nami was a sweet child. She liked coloring books and watching the other children play outside. The only wish she had before she died was to make friends and be able to play with them. She wanted to get better because she did not want to worry about her Mama and Papa anymore.
When Sakura was telling Nami's parents about what happened, Sakura felt like throwing up. It felt like her stomach was turning upside down. She could not look them in the eyes. She could only say sorry and watched with regret how Nami's mother started crying in her husband's arms.
She tried taking another shift, anything that could take her mind off with earlier events. The nurse voiced out her concern saying that Sakura had already been in the hospital for two straight days without taking a break.
"Dr. Haruno, you need to rest."
More often than not, the nurses would be too scared to Sakura to object, but Tsunade already knew Sakura enough to tell the nurse-in-charge not to allow it this time.
"I can still go on. Please, I can take another shift." Sakura pleaded.
"I am so sorry, Dr. Haruno. Tsunade-sama strictly told me not to allow you to take any more shifts and that you would be having your two days off starting tomorrow."
Annoyed and yet too tired to complain, Sakura stubbornly went into her office to look into her medical files and started working. If they won't let me see patients, fine. I'll just do this.
But still, not even thirty minutes had passed, Ino and Tsunade barged into her office and started lecturing her.
Sakura stayed in the hospital for two more hours before going home, reluctantly giving in to Ino and Tsunade's orders. It was already three in the afternoon when they arrived at the small apartment.
"You can't let Sarada see you like this," Ino said. "Do you want me to cook something for you? Or do you want to sleep? I can even fetch your daughter for you."
"No. I can manage on my own. Thank you for driving me here. Sasuke texted me a while ago saying that Itachi-san would fetch Sarada again. So it's okay. I'll just sleep and wait for Sarada here." Sakura said, already going into her bedroom. "Please close the door once you leave." She quickly added before entering the room.
Hesitant to leave her best friend alone, Ino waited for a few minutes before checking up on Sakura inside the bedroom. Her body was facing the windows, her eyes shut. Ino carefully closed the door once again, contented that Sakura had finally got to sleep.
Even so, Sakura was completely wide awake. The earlier events flashing in her memory whenever she would close her eyes. A single tear escaped once again from her eye. When she heard Ino's car engine, Sakura had already opened her eyes, relieved that she had convinced Ino enough to leave her be.
She just wanted to be alone, to organize her thoughts before Sarada came home.
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For almost an hour, Sakura tried her best to take a nap, at least. But to no avail, Nami's face had always come flashing through her mind every time she closed her eyes. She thought of everything that she could have done to save the child. She tried to put herself in Nami's mother's shoes.
It was driving her crazy. Tsunade told her even from the beginning that Nami's case was rare. That it was already too late. Sakura knew she could not save each one of her patients. However, she felt a strong connection with the five-year-old kid.
Ino told her it must have been because she was the same age as Sarada. That Sakura can fully understand what the parents must have going through. And despite all of this, even though Sakura tried everything she could, Nami still died.
A knock on the door had her snapping back to reality. She lazily swung her legs on the floor and dragged her feet to open the front door. Her cheerful and bouncy daughter startled her; Sarada was quick to put her arms around her Mama's waist.
"Mama! I miss you!" Sarada exclaimed.
Sakura did not waste a second before crouching down Sarada's level to give her a proper hug. "I miss you too, sweetheart. How's school?"
Sarada started babbling about how her day went. Her daughter went straight into her own bedroom to change while talking. Sakura started to follow her, and soon, Itachi had also made himself comfortable in the living room.
While Sarada was still in her room, Itachi asked Sakura if she was okay. "I wasn't going to ask you, but are you really sure you're okay? I can still take Sarada with me."
Sakura, in response, was quick to brush it off. "No, it's fine. I just need to get some sleep."
Reluctantly, Itachi called out to Sarada to say goodbye. And before Sakura knew it, it was only her and Sarada once again. Sakura acted everything seemed fine. She started cooking dinner for her and Sarada.
And when her daughter asked once again about the family day to be held a week from now, Sakura was quick to say that Papa was busy so Mama was not able to talk to him about it yet.
Across the room, Sakura could see the pout on her daughter's face. Meanwhile, Sakura tried her hardest to smile despite the dizziness and tiredness she was feeling. They ate their food silently, and Sarada was quick to finish her meal, saying she would be doing her homework.
An extreme headache with slight dizziness came over Sakura's senses all of a sudden while doing the dishes. Sakura was quick to steady herself before she could collapse on the floor. She put her right hand on her forehead, checking her temperature. She must have been sick. She tried finishing washing the plates when suddenly her mind went blank.
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Sarada was busy bringing out her books from her bag. She was happy that her teacher once again praised her for a job well done on the recitation a while ago. And although she missed her Mama, she had a great weekend with her Grandpa and Grandma this time, going into a zoo.
Her Papa was also spoiling her with gifts whenever he came home. The other day, she received another stuffed toy. Her Papa was always silent though, unlike Uncle Itachi who always told her stories.
She was going through her homework fine, but then again, there was this one question she could not quite understand. She frowned and read the question once again. And when she still did not get it, she contemplated whether to call her Uncle Itachi. After all, Uncle Itachi makes the best tutor.
But Mama is smart too, Sarada thought. With her made-up decision, she carried her book close to her chest and went out of her room, seeking for her Mama.
"Mama! Mama?" She called out. She frowned upon not hearing any responses. She went into the other bedroom, only to find it empty. With quick steps, she wobbled next to the living room, and from there, she saw a horrific scenario she never wanted to see.
Across the living room, in the dining area, her mother sprawled on the floor.
"Mama! Mama!" She shouted, running to her mother's side. Sarada brushed away the hair that had fallen into her mother's face. "Mama, wake up, please. You're scaring me." Sarada's cries soon echoed through the apartment.
Sarada reached out to her mother's pockets, searching for her phone. She remembered what her Papa said, when something like this came up, she should call him. The only problem was.. her Papa was not picking up.
"Papa..please answer your phone." Sarada pleaded as she stared at her Papa's name on the phone's screen.
After three tries, only then she succeeded. "What?! I am at a meeting right now." A furious voice could be heard from the other line. But Sarada was not paying attention to any of that, instead, she cried even louder. "Papa! Papa!"
Alarmed, Sasuke stood up from his seat and walked out of the conference room, gaining everyone's attention. He made a quick hand gesture to Neji Hyuuga to take over.
"Sarada? What's wrong?" His voice was now gentler, but there's a worry behind the tone.
"Mama! Mama's not waking up! Please get over here, hurry! Papa, I'm scared!"
Sasuke did not have to be told twice. He quickly smashed the down button of the elevator. Concurrently, he was talking to his daughter to wait for him and that everything would be fine. But on contrary, Sasuke had never felt this nervous before. It was as if he was also convincing himself to believe the words he was telling Sarada.
Mama's not waking up. The words kept repeating on his mind as he ran towards his car in the parking lot. "I'll be there soon, Sarada. Be strong, okay? Be strong for Mama." He reversed his car at an impossible speed. The squeaking of the tires could be heard throughout the area.
What the fuck Sakura? What the fuck happened?! His thoughts had been in a jungle mess. Sarada's cries had even become louder from the other line. He had been cursing under his breath; he ran over two stoplights, and yet all he could hear was Mama's not waking up.
The supposed-to-be twenty-minute drive from the Uchiha Enterprises to Sakura's apartment had been cut short into eight minutes. He quickly got off his car, opening one door from the back seat. As soon as he entered, Sarada cried even louder- if it was possible.
He searched for them; it was easy due to Sarada's cries. There..in the dining area..collapsed on the floor was Sakura, looking pale and heavily sweating. He could swear the sight had his heart stopping. He ran towards his little family. Sarada had been clutching her mother's hand for so long, begging her to open her eyes.
"Papa! You came! Mama.. Mama is.."
No words were needed as Sasuke put his hand on Sakura's forehead, checking her temperature. He then proceeded to scoop her up in his arms. Sarada's right hand held onto Sasuke's slacks, afraid to be separated from her Mama and Papa.
Why is she so light?! Fuck, Sakura. I swear once you wake up. Damn it, you annoying woman. His thoughts only came to an abrupt stop when Sarada had already taken a seat beside her unconscious Mama on the back seat of his car. "Papa, Mama will be okay, right?"
"Yes, she will be." She has to be.
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Tsunade was busy checking one of her patients when suddenly Shizune, her assistant, came running to get her. Before she could open her mouth to question her apprentice, Shizune had beaten her to it. "It's Sakura!"
They were about to get out of the room when they had seen through the windows- Sasuke Uchiha, running full speed in the hallways, carrying an unconscious Sakura with their daughter crying and trying to catch up with her father.
As soon as the medics took Sakura away from them, Sarada had started throwing tantrums. "No! Where are you taking Mama?! I'll go with Mama!"
Still trying to catch his breath, Sasuke crouched down to his daughter's level. "Sarada, the doctors will take care of Mama."
"Why can't I go with her then? Why can't we go?! Mama needs us, Papa!"
"Sasuke.." This time, it was Tsunade patting Sasuke's shoulder. "Hi there, Sarada-chan." She turned her attention to the little girl. "Your Mama is a bit tired from work. She just needs some rest. I promise your Mama will be okay. We don't want to disturb her sleep, don't we?"
Sarada considered what Tsunade just told her, but her cries had not subsided. She then threw her arms around her Papa for comfort. Easily, Sasuke had lifted her, rubbing his daughter's back. It must have been a lot seeing one of the most important people in her life in that situation. And for Sarada to experience that at such a young age, Sasuke could only feel helpless.
Tsunade had merely given him a nod before sprinting towards the room where Sakura was taken into. Soon, Sasuke found his daughter already sleeping in his arms, and Itachi and his mother walking in their direction with a worried look on their faces.
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A/N: I quit my job. Yeah.. you read it right. I quit after only two months. It was a low-paying job; I was under too much pressure. I got to leave the office at an ungodly hour, and my lunch break was cut into twenty minutes. I was always crying. I was not happy at all. I really did not want to leave because I like challenges; it makes me grow. But one day, I only get to go home past one in the morning. And then that's it.
It was a mistake from the start to accept the job. I was only hired as a contractual employee-there would be no chances of career advancement or whatsoever perks. I may seem brat for resigning after eight weeks, but I was starting to get sick. And I know that if I continued further, I will totally lose it.
So there's that. I am sorry for not being able to update for an entire month, I guess? There is just too much happening in my personal life. Now, I am unemployed once again, and my confidence has been back to zero percent. I decided to travel for a week to reflect on myself. I hope that when I get back, I'll find out what do I really want with my life.
Sorry for the long Author's note. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!