Ai No Namida 7

After the whole ordeal with Karin, Sasuke took Sakura to the nurse's room. Unfortunately, she wasn't there. Sasuke sat her down on one of the beds, and then proceeded to the fridge near the sink. While he was shuffling through its contents, Sakura watched his movements.

"You don't have to do this Sasuke. It was only a slap."

"Hn," and he went on with his business.

"You're going to be late for class."

"Hn."

Sakura gave a sigh of resignation and let her eyelids flutter shut. She was feeling hot and exhausted. The cold hard surface that met her cheek made her flinch. Sasuke was standing in front of her, ice pack in hand. She reached her hand up to hold it against her cheek. Their fingers brushed lightly as her hand took his place. She knew the shiver that went down her spine had nothing to do with the ice, which felt quite nice against her burning skin. Her heart leapt when the cool flesh of Sasuke's hand met her forehead.

"You're burning up. You should go home," blunt as always, but he did have a point.

"I'll do that, now get to class. You're late enough as it is."

"Hn," and then he was gone. Sakura listened as his footsteps faded down the hall. She sat there in silence for a few moments, and then lifted her hand to clench over the area over her heart. A look of longing and despair crossed her face.


When Sasuke came to school the next day he didn't see her pink head anywhere. Figuring that she was home sick, he sat at their usual spot. He never noticed until now how strange it was to be here without her. It felt so gloomy and lonely. Sakura's absence seemed to have sucked the life out of it. Giving one more glance at the roof, he descended the stairs to search for Naruto.

Sakura didn't show up again the next day or when the weekend ended. Sasuke was officially worried. Her fever couldn't have been that bad could it? He had contemplated visiting her, that is, if only he could swallow his damn pride and if knew where she lived.

"Sasuke." Hearing his name he lifted his head, meeting the lazy eye of Kakashi. Sasuke raised a brow in question.

"I have a favor to ask. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but Sakura has been absent-" oh he has been all too aware of it "-for quite some time. I was wondering if you could deliver her missed work?"

"Where?" At least it gave him an excuse to check on her.

"Come to my desk. I'll give you the address."


Sasuke was surprised to find out that Sakura lived a ten minute drive away from him. Sakura lived in a traditional Japanese home. Complete with shoji doors, large roofs and eaves, and most likely, he suspected, a Japanese garden. He could hear the sound of flowing water and bamboo smacking against a rock as it reached its full capacity.

Sasuke rang the doorbell and waited patiently. He heard a muffled bark through the door. When the door slid open, he was greeted by familiar verdant eyes. He blinked, then examined the person in front of him. Not Sakura, seeing as the hair was the wrong color and the person was male. Beside him was a large white and pale orange Akita with its tongue lolling as it panted excitedly. It looked like it was ready to jump him.

"Hello, can I help you?" Taking his eyes away from the dog, Sasuke focused his attention on the man he presumed was Sakura's father.

"I'm Sakura's classmate. I was asked to deliver her missed work."

"Oh, I'm sure she'll appreciate it. Thank you..."

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Uchiha? You must be Fugaku's boy. It's nice to finally meet you. I had no idea you were friends with my daughter."

"You know my father?" He was a bit surprised. His father isn't exactly the most social person in the world.

"Of course, we work together often. Anyway, I'm probably taking up your time. Sakura's in the garden, Hachi will take you there, won't you boy?" The last was directed to the dog, who immediately reacted to his name, tail wagging madly. The dog, Hachi, came up to him and tugged on his shirt, urging him to follow. He quickly shed his footwear and then followed the dog to a hallway that was open on one side, wooden beams connected to the roof to stabilize it. He felt like he was in ancient Japan, back in the Edo period or Meiji era, somewhere less modern. The garden was right outside and when he saw Sakura his worry eased down a bit. She was sitting with her legs tucked under her in a pure white sleeping yukata. Her haired billowed slowly in the gentle breeze. Her back was turned to him and she was focused on something in her lap. In this serene and beautiful garden she looked so fragile, like she could break at any moment. Hachi's bark brought him out of his daze and got Sakura's attention. She was quite surprised to see him.

"Sasuke? What are you doing here?" Gently she placed whatever was on her lap onto the ground. The thing moved. He could now see that it was a snow white rabbit with gleaming black eyes. It hopped daintily behind Sakura as she walked. Hachi pulled on his shirt towards them. Sasuke jumped onto the soft grass, while Hachi sprinted to the girl. The dog stopped before her and shook its rear playfully. Soft laughter met his ears as she knelt down in front of it. He watched them interact until he felt something clawing his pants leg. The little white fur ball was on its hind legs sniffing him.

"I see girls aren't the only ones you attract," his head snapped up at that with a harmless glare.

"Hn, I have your school work." He pulled out a manilla folder. She stood up and took it gratefully.

"Thank you, sorry for the inconvenience," to Sasuke it wasn't inconvenient, but god forbid he tell her he was worried. Still is a bit worried.

"How are you...feeling?" He said awkwardly. The smile on her face contradicted the flash of sorrow in her eyes. Though he was curious as to what that sadness meant, he was not one to pry unless necessary.

"I've been better. Have you been eating at school?"

"Hn." No. He had been going to the rooftop every day, expecting to see her sitting on the bench, nibbling on an onigiri, only for her to be absent again.

"That's not an answer."

"Hn." She let out an exasperated sigh.

"Would you like some tea or something to eat?" He shook his head.

"I should get going..." He stood rooted to his spot, his stance a bit hesitant, "Will you be there?" At school? On the roof? With me? Sakura smiled knowingly.

"Any requests?"

"...Tomatoes."

"I should've known, why did I even bother?"

"Hn." Instead of getting annoyed this time, she laughed.

"Tomatoes it is then."

"...Tamagoyaki."

"Hmm?"

"I want some tamagoyaki as well," he refused to look at her but he didn't need to to know that she was smiling fondly at him.

"Okay. Come on, I'll see you out. Tsurara, stay here," the rabbit tilted its head and twitched its ears at her before settling down to clean its face. Her little paws rubbed over her head as her nose twitched adorably. Sasuke and Sakura went back in the direction he came it with Hachi in tow. As he was slipping his shoes back on, Sakura thanked him again, which he shrugged off.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," she said as he straightened up. He nodded in response and left. She stood there, even after the door shut, just staring.

"Sakura." Her father had come up behind her while she was lost in thought.

"Is he-"

"Yes he is. Papa...I don't know what to do anymore." The quiver in her voice broke his heart. He brought his precious girl into his arms.

"Be happy Sakura. That's all I want for you. You deserve that much."

"But-"

"Don't think of the consequences. I want you to be selfish for once and think of your own happiness."

"Papa, I don't want to hurt any more people than I already am." Her hot tears were flowing rapidly down her cheeks. She buried her face into her father's warmth.

"I know, but all I care about is how much you're hurting inside. You don't have to be strong for others. You don't have to be alone either Sakura."

"Papa..." The force of her tears drowned everything out. She clung tightly to him, "I'm scared."

"I'm scared too, honey. It's okay." Even as he said it, he could feel his own tears on the verge of falling.

"Please let her be happy."