"..." Normal chat.

ABC. Thought.

Chapter 22

Since when had these thorns appeared in my heart? They were feeding on my desperation and jealousy to grow. Bearing endless negative seeds into my mind and torturing me. Days after days.

Yet instead of succumbing into the bitterness, I chose to keep loving him. Hoping that someday he would realize my feelings and freed me from this painful thorn.

But it seemed that things didn't go the way I wanted them to be. And as my last resort, I tried to get rid of these thorns by myself.

If I continued staying ignorant to everything, there would be no more negative thoughts for them to feed on. Then they would wither away and disappear.

They would, right?

"You know, you don't have to force yourself to act friendly with me."

"What?"

"Hurry up. Or you're going to lose him."

There were misunderstandings between us in the beginning, Still, I tried my best to make you feel comfortable when living alone in Konoha. In the end, my efforts turned out to be fruitful and we became friends.

"Why would I? Isn't that supposed to be your job to begin with?"

"Hmph! Another dead weight to the team."

"I don't trust her one bit."

While things started quite roughly for you and him. However after going through that D-rank mission, your feelings toward to each other started to change. And I was happy to see that we could sort things out easily and acted like a team again.

"Don't get too carried away. I simply follow to find out what more of these things can possibly do."

Despite acting calm before everyone else, I knew that he wanted to save you as much as Naruto.

"I only saw her tried it once. But trust me, I'm as clueless as you are in this situation."

He was the only one to know about your strange power. And the fact that both of you were keeping secrets from us for so long, perhaps even more if it wasn't for that incident at the forest, upset Naruto and I a lot.

"But why? Aren't we supposed to be a team?!"

You couldn't answer my question.

"It was a secret. A life-threatening one."

So he said it in your stead. And just like that, our conversation ended.

During our Chunin exam, your name was mentioned in our chats from time to time. Imagining how things would turn out if we passed the exam while you wasn't. Whether you would be left behind, or being appointed to another Genin team due to our different in ranks.

It's obvious that Naruto hated for that future to happen. And by the look on his face, he didn't seem to like the idea either.

"Hey, guys. I'm thinking about encouraging Nina-chan to take the next Chunin exam."

...Or so I said. Knowing that it's the only way for us to maintain our four-member team. If by chance that you agreed and even passed, we would never be separated.

"Surely Nina-chan won't turn us down if we're sincere about wanting her to stay with us."

They were simply visions that I drew to satisfy our imaginations, yet I noticed his expression soften up when thinking about it.

Was I doing the right thing?

Even though in the end, you would refuse our request. Insisting to remain as a Genin since you were weak and afraid of battles.

Exactly like how you had told me back then, right? Nina-chan?

And if you were to be appointed to another team. Would he be sad? Maybe a little. Though I was certain that he would soon forget and moved on.

When the Chunin exam was over, I went searching for him. In hope that we could spend some time together after countless stressful days.

"Ah! Sasuke-kun!"

Then, I found him stepping out of a sweet shop with a box in hand. It's truly a strange sight, since he had never bought sweets for himself before. What's the change of heart?

"It couldn't be for her, could it?"

Without realizing it, I was standing in front of him and questioning the purpose of that gift. My heart was beating so fast that it felt like my ears were going to burst out of nervousness.

"What did you say?"

And yet, he looked confused. Turned out those words came out of my lips were so weak that they sounded like a whisper.

"I..."

Biting my lips to hold back the urge to cry, I prayed that none of this was real.

"...It's nothing."

Why couldn't I say anything? Was it because I was afraid to hear his answer?

"Sakura!"

As if destined, we bumped into each other on way our home. After exchanging a couple words of greeting, you held out a box of sweet and asked me to join you for a cup of tea at your house.

It was the same box that Sasuke-kun carried with him earlier.

You didn't mention whose it belonged to, and you thought that there was no way I could have known since I wasn't around when he gave it to you.

Did she go look for me just to boast about the sweet he gifted her? Or was she trying to mock me because I was not the one to receive his gift?

My mind was filled so much jealousy that I could no longer hide that ugly expression on my face. And as I was about to lash every mean word at you, another thought appeared.

What if she didn't realize what she did was hurtful?

If that idea was true then it would be even more messed up. And I would hate you more.

"Later."

Not wanting to lose it and yelling at your face in the middle of the street, I walked away.

"Sakura, what's wrong?! Wait!"

Confused, you called out to me. But I ignored everything and kept on running. Until I could no longer hearing your voices ringing by my ears and collapsed on my knees.

I don't understand. Why does it have to be her?

The more seeing him opening up his heart to you, willingly and naturally. The bigger and nastier that thorn grew. To the point that it's too painful for me to subside it.

She's only a complete stranger that you've meet no more than three months.

He hated seeing you and Naruto acting happy together, how you both fit in like a perfect picture. And the fact that you cared for Naruto more than him.

You are the only one in my heart. My everything. What do I have do to make you look at me?

Saying what you had for each other was a bond called friendship. But I knew it wasn't that simple.

What does she have that I don't?

I tried not to hate you for being ignorant, but it seemed that I couldn't last any longer.

"Why won't you say anything to me? Why are you always keeping quiet?"

Did he hate me for saying stupid things from the past? Or simply because I were not you?

"I love you with all my heart! I would do anything for you. So please, stay with me!"

I wasn't afraid of getting rejected, as long as he changed his mind and stayed by my side.

"You really are annoying."

Still, he ignored my plead and disappeared out of my sight. Gone out of my reach.

"Sasuke-kun... Please bring Sasuke-kun back! I beg of you!"

It didn't matter if he chose you, as long as you could bring him back to me. Surely he would agree to go with you, right? Because you finally showed that you cared for him.

"If it's you, I'm sure that Sasuke-kun will listen!"

As long as he returned safely, I would happily to accept whatever you threw at me. Pain, pity, heartbreaks or whatever, I would take it all. So please, Nina-chan...

"That's impossible. I can't."

"Why?! Do you even care about him at all?!"

When I reject her request, Sakura cries even harder. She stops listening to any reason and keeps on pleading me to save Sasuke for her.

"This is not about caring or not. It's too dangerous! I may die if I go!"

It's not until I raise my voice at Sakura that she wakes up from her fantasy.

"Even if I die, nothing will change."

After being told why it would a terrible idea for me to leave with Naruto's team, Sakura stops throwing fits and runs off into the village.

"Man, what a drag."

On the other hand, Shikamaru sighs in relief that the unnecessary drama is solved quickly and heads off with the others.

"Sakura-chan..."

Naruto's also concerned about his friends however, there is no more time for them to waste so he has to move along.

After searching around for a while, I find Sakura standing alone on a small bridge near the entrance. Despite hearing my calls, she keeps staring at the water below.

"Are you alright?"

Sakura's holding back her tears but fails miserably. Her eyes were eyes and her hair is messy, bruises on her knees and palms. Perhaps due to a fall from running.

"I'm sure everything will be fine."

Patting her shoulder, I give her a word of comfort. And even if it's nothing but a false hope, Sakura strongly believes in it. Because she has to.

...

..

Later The Recovery Team returns from their mission. With Neji suffering from severe injuries, Choji was left near-death from his use of Three Colored Pills. Kiba and Akamaru were also injured, but not life-threatening.

Kakashi's there with them, though he keeps most words to himself and soon disappears. Probably off to Obito's grave again to reflect on his past and regrets.

"Sakura! Nina! They all came back!"

Then Ino arrives to inform us about their returning. Without knowing the result, of course Sakura's excited.

"Come on, let's go to the hospital!"

And we follow Sakura's footsteps toward to the hospital. Because Ino wants to visit Choji first, she parts way with us at the intersection.

"Sasuke, he's gone..."

When we reache to Naruto's room, Sakura overhears Naruto's conversation with Shikamaru about the result of their mission. And her cheerful smile fades away.

"Are you here to visit the patient?"

Then, Tsunade appears and leads us inside to greet them.

The moment seeing Sakura, Naruto apologizes to her. Though she dismisses it and makes a promise with him that they will find Sasuke together before leaving.

Everything happens like how it should be, however, there's something bothering me from the moment walking into the room.

Naruto's been averting my eyes and barely speaks to me.

Thinking that perhaps he's still tired and confused after the big fight with his best friend, I leave him alone for some rest. Hoping that things will turn back to normal eventually.

Or so I thought...

"Naruto, you have been avoiding me for a while now. What's going on?"

He looks away, again. What the hell?

Usually Naruto will blurt everything out after a couple of nagging or so. Yet it's been days already and he hasn't cracked a single word.

"It's nothing."

"You are overthinking it."

These are always his to-go answers whenever I attempt to bring this matter up. And Naruto will try to change the topic as much as he can before drifting away.

"Fine, maybe I am."

Tired of having to deal with his excuses one after another. I admit that it's my fault and let things slide.

Even right now, when he's about to leave the village for two years and a half for training, Naruto's still acting stubborn and hiding stuff from me.

"Just promise me that you will stay safe, okay?"

"Alright. Take care."

We say our last goodbye and he turns around, leaving the village with Jiraiya. While I turn back into the village and begin my search for our teacher, Kakashi.

Because after today, or tomorrow. He's going to leave the village for his mission for god knows how long.

But why do I have to look for him? That's because my progress of hitting every library in hope to translate those Ninpo scrolls for the past few weeks is zero.

It's too tough for a child like me, who doesn't have much experience in everything. Bonus with the fact that I'm not even that smart...

So I am desperate for a guidance and If I don't find him quickly. My life is over.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

After a while I notice my target's hanging around near a tree in the park by himself. Enjoying his favorite book peacefully while lying under the shade.

So I take a seat next to him and start talking non-stop. Despite the word displeasure is spreading all over his face, I'm certain that he still listens carefully.

"You do realize that I'm a busy man, right?"

Therefore Kakashi sighs.

"...There aren't many high leveled Shinobi in Konoha that I'm close to except for my one and only supervisor. So..."

And I promise to not be a bother. As long as he deciphers those Ninpo scrolls for me and I will try to make it work, somehow.

"You don't have to watch me all the time, just come by to check whenever you're free. I won't run away and cause any trouble anymore. I swear!"

That desperate speech eventually earns me a reluctant nod. Finally!

"When are we going to start?"

"Now."

Kakashi closes his book and stands up, much to my surprise.

Wait, what? Really?

Despite leaving in a hurry, it's almost sunset when we arrive to our destination.

And now I'm standing in the middle of a vacant spot near a forest, which is not too far away from Konoha (it takes hours to get here by foot) but nowhere close to civilization.

There's a stream nearby and plenty of food around. So I take that I'm going to stay here for the night, and probably for a good while too.

"Here are the scrolls that I've told you about."

I hand those three scrolls over to him. And after taking a quick scan over what's written inside the green colored one, Kakashi states.

"Let's start with physical training first."

"Eh? why?"

"These things takes time to get used to. And instead of laying around waiting, you should start finding a way to work around with what's available at the moment."

From what I can understand, what's available in me that needed some work will be that risky power that I've been trying to hide.

Does that mean he wants me to try improving its usage?

By doing so also means that Kakashi will have more chances to observe how that power functions. Though it also means that he will find a way to use it against me.

That definitely does not sound good. But it's not like I have a choice here.

"Right. Let's do this."

After listening carefully to his instructions, I begin my training, which is a physical one because it's the easiest and doesn't require much brain power.

"Hmm... Something feels missing."

Suddenly Kakashi claims.

"Huh? Like what?"

Yet he doesn't answer and keeps staring at my face.

Let's see, what kind of thing do I have that Kakashi desire so much? is it Intel?

Of course, Kakashi wouldn't just agree to help me out of the blue like that. I was so absorbed with getting stronger that completely forgot about this stuff.

"Fair trade. Fine. What do you want to hear?"

So I stop whatever I am doing and wait for him to come up with a proper question.

"The invasion. Gaara's power and Sandaime's sacrifice. You knew it all beforehand, didn't you?"

The moment seeing me nod in response, Kakashi frowned. And it takes him another while to think before speaking up again. This time his voice sounds a bit broken, as if he doesn't want to believe in what he's about to say.

"You... possess knowledge of the future, do you?"

"I missed this place, it hasn't changed one bit!"

Standing on top of a pole, Naruto announces proudly as he watches the scenery before his eyes.

"Naruto!"

Once hearing Sakura and the Konohamaru's team are calling for him from below, he jumps down to greet them. Though their first impression toward each other after so long aren't going smoothly as they have expected it to be.

"Hey, Sakura-chan. Where is Nina-chan?"

After getting beaten near-death for his childish prank, Naruto asks Sakura.

"I... don't know."

She drops him to the ground and averts her eyes. Acting somewhat awkward. "To be honest, I haven't seen or heard of Nina-chan much ever since she left the village for her training."

"Really?! For training?! With who?"

Naruto's shocked to learn that Nina's left Konoha almost right after him, and the one to tutor her for these years is their one of a kind teacher, Kakashi.

"Uh huh. I was surprised at first too."

According to Sakura, Nina returned the village from time to time to restock the items that she needed and left the moment soon after. It was not an easy task to track her down since the time she picked to go home was random.

"Then how do you know all of this, Sakura-chan?"

"Well you could say that it was luck."

Thanks for that one time she caught Nina walking out of her house in one early morning, when she's on her way home from Tsunade over night training.

Then they had a chat at the river bank nearby, mostly because Sakura insisted them to. But she didn't stay long.

"Still, Nina-chan didn't reveal much about what she was doing. All I knew was that the training was quite tough and she needed more time to prepare."

And that was months before her and Naruto reunion. It's way worse to try to get in touch with Kakashi, since he was too busy with work and Nina's training to be at home.

"Seriously, these two and their ridiculous secrecy."

The last time Sakura met with Kakashi was also months ago, when he came to Hokage's office to deliver his report to Godaime.

It's from him that she knew about Nina's absence in the last Chuunin exam. No one knew whether she didn't want to or simply forgot about it like Naruto did.

"Anyways, Naruto. Let's go to Godaime's office. I'm sure she's waiting for you there."