Categories > Anime/Manga > Naruto > Thinking About You
(8.7)
SUDDENLY STRANGERS
"/Goodbye~"/
…
…
…
/"I thought I could have my fun with you. That's all it was! I was… tired of my daily routine. I was bored and… Sure you help me with my problems along the way and I'm grateful but… seeing you fall emotionally apart was part of the game. I wanted to play with you until you couldn't hold out much longer. It took longer than I expected and I just got bored of you. But like I said, I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. That's why I tried to let you off easily by slowly giving you space. This dinner was a sincere favor I wanted to ask of you as a friend but, I made a mistake early this morning. Old habits die hard. It was a mistake. I knew I screwed up. It wasn't supposed to end like this. Three more weeks and we could've gone our separate ways peacefully."/
…
Sakura remembered how he was shaking then. How he was unable to look her at all as he said it.
…
Then she remembered how Sasuke tried to tell her something the night she last saw him.
…
/"Sakura."/
…
She ended up ignoring him and they parted without being able to say goodbye to one another.
…
/"Did Sasuke-kun really seem like he was just doing it all to humor you?"/
…
…
…
Sakura immediately fetched her phone and dialed Sasuke's number.
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"So you can smile like a normal person."/
/['How long have I been staring?'] … "I-I-I don't w-want to hear that f-from y- a person who doesn't smile AT ALL."/
/"Naruto, what were you- Where you headed to the library?"/
/"I'm meeting Hinata-chan there."/
/"Hand in my homework will you?"/
/"Why not do it yourself?"/
/"Can't stay. Got work today."/
/"You came to school just to do that one homework?"/
/"Aa. … Since someone went through all the trouble of handing it to me the other day."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sasuke."/
/"Huh?"/
/"Just call me Sasuke."/
/"Oh. … I'll call you Sasuke-kun starting today."/
/"Aa."/
/"Then me too! … Call me Sakura from now on okay?"/
…
/"Sakura. … Get home safe."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"You could've told me you weren't feeling well this morning. Or any time you feel like you're too tired to stay after class. I know I can be pushy and insensitive so... It's okay to tell me when I'm being unreasonable. You can get mad when I'm at fault too you know. Didn't I tell you? You're allowed to hate me since you'll never be able to push me away."/
/"Ah. Selfish and annoying as ever. But I think I'll hold off on hating you for now since you'll be giving me all the time in the world to get there."/
/"You bet. I've only just begun to turn your world upside down."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"I had originally intended for you to wear that one. You can use this one instead."/
…
/"You know me so well by now huh?"/
/"Yes, I supposed. I even know most your mannerisms."/
/"Now I feel like I want to test that."/
/"You reach for your hair clips whenever you feel like you're being judged or misunderstood. You hold on to your braids whenever you're extremely anxious. And when you're actually feeling really happy, you do the mouth guard move."'
/"Mouth guard?"/
/"You know when you have your hands cover your mouth."/
/"Oh."/
/"It's supposed to be a gesture that can suggest or mean a lot of things but… for you however, you tend to do that because you think you'll end up looking goofy with a huge smile on your face."/
/"Okay. So you're right about those. I can't believe you actually paid attention to that."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Me? Being nice? I haven't heard that one before."/
/"But you are!"/
/"Am I?"/
/"Yes! You're awfully being nice! And the fact that you're not even aware of it makes it more... /frustrating/!"/
/"Okay. But I thought the word 'nice' had a positive connotation. You seem to be disappointed. You're upset."/
/"Are my actions really making you uncomfortable? You're the one who said you would pull on me. And now I'm… gravitating towards you-"/
/"Don't say it like /that/!"/
/"Are you really bothered by it?"/
/"It's just that... it's making me feel like... I'm such a /horrible person/. You! You're the guy everyone hates for no reason at all. But you turned out to be such a nice guy. I on the other hand, have no excuse to be such a bitch but I am anyways. And everyone who hates me is just waiting for a chance or looking for an excuse to slap me in the face."
/"I thought you said you didn't care if anyone hated you? … For whatever it's worth. I'm not on that list yet."/
…
/"…Even if this world forces you to become someone else. I'll still remember the 'you from this time. I'll remember you as just Sasuke-kun. And I'll remind you just how perfect you are as just you."/
/"Thank you."/
/"For what?"/
/"For saying the words I didn't even know I needed to hear."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"So what?! So what if you did it all for your own sake? So what if I found out? /So what/?!... SO WHAT?! … Does it really matter to you what I think? Or what anyone else thinks for that matter?! If I tell you how selfish and conceited you are, would you stop?! What is it that you want to hear from me? That I'm disappointed at you?"
/"Y-Yes!"/
/"That I was a fool for trusting you? For believing that there was actually someone who cared enough to look under my skin?"/
/"Yes!"/
/"That you're just using me?! And now I'm mad at you?! Is that it?!"/
/"YES!"/
/"Is that what you wanted to hear?! That I-"/
/"THAT YOU HATE ME!"/
/"You know what? ... Don't take it out on me just because you're feeling guilty.
That's it... right? You're not proud of the fact that you're romantically motivated. You're guilty for wanting to love and be love. You're guilty for wanting to be happy? But you would do anything and everything in your power so you can be, even if it means hurting or using other people.
You knew at some point you're doing something wrong. But you're not going to stop anyway, because you think you're doing it for the right reason. … Because being with this /Sasori/, that's what's going to complete you. That's what makes you want to live this life.
You call yourself ugly and unpleasant. But do you seriously believe that about yourself? ... You only want me to think you are. You only want to give me a reason to hate you-You need to give me a reason to hate you! … /So~/, you can pretend to be suffering as well! /So~/, you're not the only one who's happy! /SO~/, you can lessen your guilt and feel better about yourself!"/
/"Do you?!... Do you hate me now?"/
/"No. No I don't... I can't."/
/"Why?!"/
/"Because honestly, I don't believe you when you said that everything you're doing is all for Sasori. You… If that was the case, you wouldn't have cared about what your family would have thought of you and you would have done exactly what you thought Kakashi was asking you to do back then.
You once told me that you can't bring yourself to run away from your home even if your parents didn't understand you. That's because you love them and you do want them to understand you. You do want them to be proud of you.
Everything you're doing... It's not all for Sasori.
And I don't know why it upsets me but I am! I. Am. Upset. I'm upset that you let your best friend think that. You let her believe that that's who YOU are! Someone who puts this... Sasori… /at the center of your life/. But fine! That's between you and her. … But to let yourself think that?! And now, you want me to believe that?! ... You- You… You deserve so much more than you give yourself credit for."/
(Sakura was deeply moved and couldn't hold back the tears any longer.)
(Sasuke moves towards her and held his hand out to her. He was attempting to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
But she slaps his hand away and stepped back.)
/"Stop it! Just stop being nice to me! Why are you the one who's here with me?! Why isn't HE here instead of you? You're not /him/! You're not /Sasori/!"/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sasori!"/
/"Sorry. I'm sorry I'm still not Sasori."/
/"Sa...suke...kun? What are you- How did you know where I live?" She tried to be casual.
/"Homework."/
/"Did Kakashi-sensei sent you... to return the favor?"/
/"A-Aa."/
/"I'm sorry f- … I'm sorry for your trouble. I thought Ino would be the one bringing these to me. "/
…
/"Ino! That favor I asked you. Never mind. Sasuke-kun brought my homework."/
//"I know. He took it from me and said he'd bring it to you instead... since he's your partner."//
/"Huh? I thought Kakashi-sensei asked him to?!"/
//"Is that what he said?! Kakashi-sensei asked me. But, after class, Sasuke came up to me and insisted. Demanded, actually."//
/"He did?"/
/['That liar.']/
//"Uh-huh. He wouldn't let me pass until I hand your homework to him. And when I gave in, he walked away with it only to come back and ask for your address. It was sort of... cute."//
…
/'I know you're groggy.
Hang in there.
PS: I'm not a fanboy, so no worries okay.'/
*\(-_-)/*
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sa-Sakura?!"/
/"Ne, Sasuke-kun."/
/"W-What?"/
/"Let's be friends?"/
/"Aa."/
…
/"Come with me."/
/"Eh?"/
/"Are you still... wary of me?"/
/"Mou~"/
…
/"So, which way Sasuke-kun?"/
/"It's this way."/
/"You're joking right."/
/"I bailed on work so I can bring you here. We're going in."/
/"I..."/
/"Are you going to make me come and get you?"/
"But..."
/"Let's just go in. It's going to be fine."/
/"No. Wait!"/
/"Come on. See? Now stop struggling. How are you going to enjoy yourself if you're not comfortable with what you're wearing?"/
/"That's why I wasn't keen on going out like this."/
/"And that's why we need to go in. Don't worry. As I said, I got it covered. Now seriously, come on!"/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Paint balloons is boring."/
/"Boring?"/
/"Oh no you didn't?!"/
…
…
…
/"Still bored?"/
/"You're doing it again. If you're happy then show it."/
/"Why are you always checking if my smile is forced or not? … So, what's the verdict?"/
/"Real enough."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"It really did look good on you… The- uh..."/
/"S-Scrubs?"/
/"The lab coat."/
/"Oh."/
/"And... letting your hair down like that suits you best."/
/"Oh."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
//I tried calling as soon as I read your message but your number was busy.//
//Wrong send. Just ignore it.//
…
/"Sasuke-kun?"/
//"Aa. Uchiha. Not the other Sasuke(-kun)."//
/"What?!"/
//"You said you sent the message with my name on it to me by mistake."//
/"Eh?"/
//"Your message was; Sasuke(-kun), please call me when you get the chance. You're the only one I can~/
/Now the way I see it, you either sent me an incomplete message or you weren't able to delete all of the parts that you realized you didn't want me, or should I say this other Sasuke, to read."/ /
/"I typed in 'Sasuke-kun'?"/
//"Did you mean to write Sasori?"//
/"Y-Yes~"/
//"Then I hope you didn't end up sending him that very same text."//
/"Er…"/
//"Because if you did, this is the part where I laugh at you and you should start feeling extremely embarrassed."//
/"Okay! I lied! That text was in fact intended for you."/
//"I figured."//
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sasori please just stop this."/
/"No you STOP!"/
/"Don't yell at her."/
/"Sasuke-kun don't!"/
/"No! Let him speak. What was that just now?"/
/"No. Please. L-Let's just go."/
/"Only if he tells me what I want to hear."/
/"You don't get to decide for her."/
/"But you do?!"/
/"She decides for herself. She can stop anytime or… she can work if that's what she wants to do. For as long as she wants to."/
/"She'll work as long as you need her to. Tell her it's okay to quit and she'll stop coming to work. Tell her you don't need her anymore and she'll stop talking to you."/
/"No."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"So, how's the new schedule working for you?"/
/"Great! I'm doing great. It's uhm… keeping me productive with my … spare time."/
/"Are you sure you and Sasori didn't just have a fight because I won't ask you to quit working?"/
/"What?! No! That's not the case at all. He just really went back to Tokyo. … ['That's technically not a lie.'] … We talked about it and… he knows that I have to be here and he understood and… it really is okay for me to keep working here… just… as we… originally agreed on. … ['That definitely wasn't a lie.']/
/"Okay. … And your parents?"/
/"Hm?"/
/"They're… okay with you going full time here at work?"/
/"Oh. Erm… They're actually being very supportive about it."/
/"Is that normal? Good? Bad?"/
/"It's not… bad/."
['They're being considerate of my feelings after I told them that Sasori has left me for good.']
/"I see. … You uhm… should go home and get some rest."/
/"R-Right. I… Good night."/
/"Good /mornnig/. Get home safe. … … … I'll walk you out."/
…
/"…Aa. I'm just finishing up here at work… Aa… Hn… Aa. … … … That was R-Rin."/
/"Oh. I… still can't believe I thought you two were dating."/
/"W-What?"/
/"What?! Nothing! ... Erm… She's checking up on you?"/
/"Aa. Making sure I get some rest."/
/"You should. You're working even harder than before…"/
/"You noticed. By any chance, did that have a bit of an influence as to why you decided to work full time?"/
/"Uhm… Just… a bit/. … ['Hold on! Is this… considered /flirting/?']
/"I figured."/
/['Subtle flirting?']/
/"On a serious note, I could say the same about you."/
/"What?"/
/"You're well aware that I can tell when you're running away from something right?"/
/"Uhn."/
/"Sakura."/
/"YES! … ['Totally flirting!']/
/"Sasori is in Tokyo so… I take it you don't have any plans tomorrow? … I could just be assuming that you would be free but if you're not-"/
/"I'm free tomorrow… ['Wait! No! I can't do this!'] … /NOT/! I-I do… have plans… actually."/
/"Oh. I… understand. … Nevermind then. I'll see if I can ask someone else instead?"/
/"What?! I mean, uhm… okay. S-Sorry. Hope it goes well… /whatever it is/."/
/"A-Aa."/
/"T-Thanks."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sakura?!"/
/"Oh. There you are-"/
/"Sak-!"/
/"That… was close."/
/"Oh I see. You were in the shower."/
/"A-Aa."/
…
/"Something wrong?"/
/"N-No. Nothing's wrong."/
…
/"Err… I… I had a bad reception. I was looking for a good signal!"/
…
/"EH?!"/
/"Everything okay back there?"/
/"Y-Yeah. Everything's fine. Sorry. I… uhm… just saw something really shocking."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
Finally, Sakura remembered that time that he almost kissed her.
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please tr-
The number you dialed-
The number you-
The number
The num-
Th-
Th-
Th-
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
Sakura's right hand fall to her side. The light coming from her phone screen dies.
She was shaking as she stood in front of her study table. Her eyes were cast down on the floor, glued to where her tears had been falling. Her left hand was over her mouth, muffling the sound of her cries.
…
…
…
Suddenly her alarm went off.
Sakura slowly raised her phone.
'Wake-up-call:USasuke'
She stared into her phone screen for a good few seconds. She then wiped her tears with her forearm and turned off the alarm.
And then, she dialed Sasuke's number one more time.
To Sakura's surprise it connected.
Sasuke picked up after the second ring.
"Sakura?"
Sakura's eyes widened. She started crying again as she was extremely overwhelmed with joy and relief after hearing his voice.
"Sakura?"
"S-Sasuke-kun…", she whimpered.
"What's wrong?!"
-he sounded alarmed.
"Sasuke-kun…"
"Aa. I'm here. I'm listening."
"Sasuke-kun… I… I'm sorry~"
"No. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. For everything."
"I love you~"
"..."
"I love you /so much/."
"Thank you. … I…"
"I know. It's okay. I understand. /But/… I still love you after all. I can't help it."
"Aa."
"I really, really love you."
"Aa."
Sakura sniffed and took a deep breath. "T-This is it… /righ/t? … This is… goodbye."
"A-Aa."
"I'm really glad I got the chance to hear your voice again."
"I feel the same way."
"I think I'll be fine even if it's the last time."
"You have to."
"Uhn. I'll do my best here so~ You too."
"I will."
"Good luck with… /everything/."
"Aa."
"Stay healthy. Stay safe."
"You too."
"Be happy~ Sasuke-kun~"
"I hope you find happiness as well."
"G-Go… Goodbye~"
"…"
"Sasuke-kun?"
"…/goodbye…"/
Sakura shut her eyes tightly, allowing her tears to fall.
~Beep~
…
…
…
~/You always knew me/
Better than anyone else I'd ever met
And that's what threw me
I think I lost myself the day you left
We used to stay up just to watch the date change to something new
Another day where I would have you~
Sakura slowly got down on her knees. When she was low enough, she flopped down on the floor. And just when she thought she was done crying, she suddenly broke down and wept silently.
~/But how can it all change so fast/
From everything to nothing just like that?~
Life goes on.
Days passed…
Months passed…
The winter season came.
~And all that time we'll never get back~
Sakura puts on a red jacket before walking towards her dresser and checking if her hair was neatly kept under her headband.
~/You know I was never scared of the end/
Only the way I knew we'd pretend
Like you and I were never even friends~
Sakura walked out of the door and ran out of their front yard. She waved to her father as she ran passed him while he was talking to an engineer in front of the bathhouse.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Sakura felt nostalgic as she saw the bus shelter coming up ahead. The bus comes to a stop and she had to go down.
Sakura lingered for a little while as she stared into the lone empty bench.
~And in the space you used to sleep
Are all those vows we couldn't keep
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Sakura and her classmates were busy with the upcoming entrance exams. Sakura and Neji put up a study group to teach Naruto and Lee together. Ino and the others were more than willing to join.
Sakura can't help but glance at Sasuke's empty seat from time to time.
In fact, she seems to remember Sasuke everywhere.
In the gym.
By the vending machine.
In the infirmary whenever she would visit Rin and Karin.
She remembers Sasuke even when she would walked pass the men's restroom.
~/I remember/
The way you used to talk about your doubts
Like they were demons
I wonder if you still talk like that now~
At the end of each day Sakura would eventually find herself at the all too familiar bus shelter. There are days when she was with Ino. Sometimes Ami and her friends would walk with her until they reach the overpass. Other times they would already be at the convenience store, waving at Sakura.
~I used to say you were my home
But now the house is empty
And I'm sleeping alone~
Ultimately, Sakura would be left alone as she waited for a bus. She would sometimes miss her bus just to be able to stay at the shelter longer. She always sat at the very end of the bench as if she had an invisible company.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?
And in the space you used to sleep
Are all those vows we couldn't keep
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Everyday Sakura is awoken by the same alarm. She always tries to delete her reminder once and for all but she could never bring herself to do so.
.
.
.
Naruto would often bring Sasuke up but whenever she was around everyone faintly talked about him.
Sakura would still hear news of Sasuke from Rin and sometimes even Karin but the more time passed the less they talked about him.
The last he heard of him was when Neji mentioned meeting him at a business convention over the winter break. According to Neji women were fussing over him and he was entertaining them warmly though it might be all for the purpose of keeping good relations.
~/But how can it all change so fast/
From everything to nothing just like that?
And all that time we'll never get back
You know I was never scared of the end
Only the way I knew we'd pretend
Like you and I were never even friends~
Graduation soon came and Hinata finally mustered the courage to confess her feelings to Naruto.
.
.
.
Sakura's parents met with Ino's parents for an awkward reunion when they had to send their daughter off to college. Ino was confused about the awkwardness the whole time until Sakura told her the whole story when they got on the train.
/./
/./
/./
In Tokyo Sakura kept herself busy with college and her internship at Senju Hospital. She found herself surrounded by people. She was able to see Sasori again and they went out a couple of times just as Ino and Sasori's friend started dating.
The next time Sasori asked Sakura out, it was to introduce her to a girl.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers~
One day Sakura wakes up to her alarm and realized that she was ready to delete that reminder.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?
And in the space you used to sleep
Are all those vows we couldn't keep
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Sakura and Ino comes home to Konoha for a winter break.
On the way to the hospital, they chance on Suigetsu who looked like he was doing pretty well.
.
.
.
Sakura and Ino then met up with Karin who was standing outside the hospital with Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya. Karin was holding a bouquet of flowers.
.
.
.
The girls proceeded to a Karaoke bar where Temari, Tenten and Hinata were waiting for them. Inside the bar they saw Ami and her friends and both groups joined together to have a good time.
Every single one of them was aging well.
Hinata revealed an engagement ring and the girls were all too happy for her.
They started talking about their relationships and Ino was devastated with the fact that she and Sakura were the only ones who weren't in a relationship.
~/You always knew me/
Better than anyone else I'd ever met~
Sakura herself was yearning to be with someone but more than that she was happy for her friends.
Now we're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?
(SUDDENLY STRANGERS - Lauren Aquilina)~
Sakura taps her phone to turn the music off. She slowly sat up and looked towards her wardrobe. A red coat and a light yellow shirt hung on the door handle ready for her to use that day.
Adjacent to her wardrobe was a cork board pinned on the wall directly above her desk. Sakura's eyes travelled from a note reminding her of a scheduled case study with Tsunade to another note reminding her to pick up a dress. Her eyes then darted down to her desk. Leaning on her framed college graduation picture with her parents was a wedding invitation.
Sakura got out of bed and proceeded to the bathroom. She moved the shower curtain aside-
END OF FLASHBACK
Karin's veil was raised.
Sakura clapped along with the other cheering guests as Suigetsu sealed their vows with a kiss.
Naruto was grinning as he captured the emotional moment on video. Beside him was his wife Hinata who was very happy for the newlyweds.
Karin and Suigetsu ended the kiss then turned to their guests. They waved and smiled at everyone.
As they walked down from the altar, Karin was congratulated by her maid of honor, Ami and her two bridesmaids, Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya. Suigetsu on the other hand shook hands with his groomsmen, Juugo and Kimimaru then finally with his best man, Sasuke.
.
.
.
/Noir/
/./
/./
/./
/TBC/
SUDDENLY STRANGERS
"/Goodbye~"/
…
…
…
/"I thought I could have my fun with you. That's all it was! I was… tired of my daily routine. I was bored and… Sure you help me with my problems along the way and I'm grateful but… seeing you fall emotionally apart was part of the game. I wanted to play with you until you couldn't hold out much longer. It took longer than I expected and I just got bored of you. But like I said, I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. That's why I tried to let you off easily by slowly giving you space. This dinner was a sincere favor I wanted to ask of you as a friend but, I made a mistake early this morning. Old habits die hard. It was a mistake. I knew I screwed up. It wasn't supposed to end like this. Three more weeks and we could've gone our separate ways peacefully."/
…
Sakura remembered how he was shaking then. How he was unable to look her at all as he said it.
…
Then she remembered how Sasuke tried to tell her something the night she last saw him.
…
/"Sakura."/
…
She ended up ignoring him and they parted without being able to say goodbye to one another.
…
/"Did Sasuke-kun really seem like he was just doing it all to humor you?"/
…
…
…
Sakura immediately fetched her phone and dialed Sasuke's number.
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"So you can smile like a normal person."/
/['How long have I been staring?'] … "I-I-I don't w-want to hear that f-from y- a person who doesn't smile AT ALL."/
/"Naruto, what were you- Where you headed to the library?"/
/"I'm meeting Hinata-chan there."/
/"Hand in my homework will you?"/
/"Why not do it yourself?"/
/"Can't stay. Got work today."/
/"You came to school just to do that one homework?"/
/"Aa. … Since someone went through all the trouble of handing it to me the other day."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sasuke."/
/"Huh?"/
/"Just call me Sasuke."/
/"Oh. … I'll call you Sasuke-kun starting today."/
/"Aa."/
/"Then me too! … Call me Sakura from now on okay?"/
…
/"Sakura. … Get home safe."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"You could've told me you weren't feeling well this morning. Or any time you feel like you're too tired to stay after class. I know I can be pushy and insensitive so... It's okay to tell me when I'm being unreasonable. You can get mad when I'm at fault too you know. Didn't I tell you? You're allowed to hate me since you'll never be able to push me away."/
/"Ah. Selfish and annoying as ever. But I think I'll hold off on hating you for now since you'll be giving me all the time in the world to get there."/
/"You bet. I've only just begun to turn your world upside down."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"I had originally intended for you to wear that one. You can use this one instead."/
…
/"You know me so well by now huh?"/
/"Yes, I supposed. I even know most your mannerisms."/
/"Now I feel like I want to test that."/
/"You reach for your hair clips whenever you feel like you're being judged or misunderstood. You hold on to your braids whenever you're extremely anxious. And when you're actually feeling really happy, you do the mouth guard move."'
/"Mouth guard?"/
/"You know when you have your hands cover your mouth."/
/"Oh."/
/"It's supposed to be a gesture that can suggest or mean a lot of things but… for you however, you tend to do that because you think you'll end up looking goofy with a huge smile on your face."/
/"Okay. So you're right about those. I can't believe you actually paid attention to that."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Me? Being nice? I haven't heard that one before."/
/"But you are!"/
/"Am I?"/
/"Yes! You're awfully being nice! And the fact that you're not even aware of it makes it more... /frustrating/!"/
/"Okay. But I thought the word 'nice' had a positive connotation. You seem to be disappointed. You're upset."/
/"Are my actions really making you uncomfortable? You're the one who said you would pull on me. And now I'm… gravitating towards you-"/
/"Don't say it like /that/!"/
/"Are you really bothered by it?"/
/"It's just that... it's making me feel like... I'm such a /horrible person/. You! You're the guy everyone hates for no reason at all. But you turned out to be such a nice guy. I on the other hand, have no excuse to be such a bitch but I am anyways. And everyone who hates me is just waiting for a chance or looking for an excuse to slap me in the face."
/"I thought you said you didn't care if anyone hated you? … For whatever it's worth. I'm not on that list yet."/
…
/"…Even if this world forces you to become someone else. I'll still remember the 'you from this time. I'll remember you as just Sasuke-kun. And I'll remind you just how perfect you are as just you."/
/"Thank you."/
/"For what?"/
/"For saying the words I didn't even know I needed to hear."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"So what?! So what if you did it all for your own sake? So what if I found out? /So what/?!... SO WHAT?! … Does it really matter to you what I think? Or what anyone else thinks for that matter?! If I tell you how selfish and conceited you are, would you stop?! What is it that you want to hear from me? That I'm disappointed at you?"
/"Y-Yes!"/
/"That I was a fool for trusting you? For believing that there was actually someone who cared enough to look under my skin?"/
/"Yes!"/
/"That you're just using me?! And now I'm mad at you?! Is that it?!"/
/"YES!"/
/"Is that what you wanted to hear?! That I-"/
/"THAT YOU HATE ME!"/
/"You know what? ... Don't take it out on me just because you're feeling guilty.
That's it... right? You're not proud of the fact that you're romantically motivated. You're guilty for wanting to love and be love. You're guilty for wanting to be happy? But you would do anything and everything in your power so you can be, even if it means hurting or using other people.
You knew at some point you're doing something wrong. But you're not going to stop anyway, because you think you're doing it for the right reason. … Because being with this /Sasori/, that's what's going to complete you. That's what makes you want to live this life.
You call yourself ugly and unpleasant. But do you seriously believe that about yourself? ... You only want me to think you are. You only want to give me a reason to hate you-You need to give me a reason to hate you! … /So~/, you can pretend to be suffering as well! /So~/, you're not the only one who's happy! /SO~/, you can lessen your guilt and feel better about yourself!"/
/"Do you?!... Do you hate me now?"/
/"No. No I don't... I can't."/
/"Why?!"/
/"Because honestly, I don't believe you when you said that everything you're doing is all for Sasori. You… If that was the case, you wouldn't have cared about what your family would have thought of you and you would have done exactly what you thought Kakashi was asking you to do back then.
You once told me that you can't bring yourself to run away from your home even if your parents didn't understand you. That's because you love them and you do want them to understand you. You do want them to be proud of you.
Everything you're doing... It's not all for Sasori.
And I don't know why it upsets me but I am! I. Am. Upset. I'm upset that you let your best friend think that. You let her believe that that's who YOU are! Someone who puts this... Sasori… /at the center of your life/. But fine! That's between you and her. … But to let yourself think that?! And now, you want me to believe that?! ... You- You… You deserve so much more than you give yourself credit for."/
(Sakura was deeply moved and couldn't hold back the tears any longer.)
(Sasuke moves towards her and held his hand out to her. He was attempting to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
But she slaps his hand away and stepped back.)
/"Stop it! Just stop being nice to me! Why are you the one who's here with me?! Why isn't HE here instead of you? You're not /him/! You're not /Sasori/!"/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sasori!"/
/"Sorry. I'm sorry I'm still not Sasori."/
/"Sa...suke...kun? What are you- How did you know where I live?" She tried to be casual.
/"Homework."/
/"Did Kakashi-sensei sent you... to return the favor?"/
/"A-Aa."/
/"I'm sorry f- … I'm sorry for your trouble. I thought Ino would be the one bringing these to me. "/
…
/"Ino! That favor I asked you. Never mind. Sasuke-kun brought my homework."/
//"I know. He took it from me and said he'd bring it to you instead... since he's your partner."//
/"Huh? I thought Kakashi-sensei asked him to?!"/
//"Is that what he said?! Kakashi-sensei asked me. But, after class, Sasuke came up to me and insisted. Demanded, actually."//
/"He did?"/
/['That liar.']/
//"Uh-huh. He wouldn't let me pass until I hand your homework to him. And when I gave in, he walked away with it only to come back and ask for your address. It was sort of... cute."//
…
/'I know you're groggy.
Hang in there.
PS: I'm not a fanboy, so no worries okay.'/
*\(-_-)/*
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sa-Sakura?!"/
/"Ne, Sasuke-kun."/
/"W-What?"/
/"Let's be friends?"/
/"Aa."/
…
/"Come with me."/
/"Eh?"/
/"Are you still... wary of me?"/
/"Mou~"/
…
/"So, which way Sasuke-kun?"/
/"It's this way."/
/"You're joking right."/
/"I bailed on work so I can bring you here. We're going in."/
/"I..."/
/"Are you going to make me come and get you?"/
"But..."
/"Let's just go in. It's going to be fine."/
/"No. Wait!"/
/"Come on. See? Now stop struggling. How are you going to enjoy yourself if you're not comfortable with what you're wearing?"/
/"That's why I wasn't keen on going out like this."/
/"And that's why we need to go in. Don't worry. As I said, I got it covered. Now seriously, come on!"/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Paint balloons is boring."/
/"Boring?"/
/"Oh no you didn't?!"/
…
…
…
/"Still bored?"/
/"You're doing it again. If you're happy then show it."/
/"Why are you always checking if my smile is forced or not? … So, what's the verdict?"/
/"Real enough."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"It really did look good on you… The- uh..."/
/"S-Scrubs?"/
/"The lab coat."/
/"Oh."/
/"And... letting your hair down like that suits you best."/
/"Oh."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
//I tried calling as soon as I read your message but your number was busy.//
//Wrong send. Just ignore it.//
…
/"Sasuke-kun?"/
//"Aa. Uchiha. Not the other Sasuke(-kun)."//
/"What?!"/
//"You said you sent the message with my name on it to me by mistake."//
/"Eh?"/
//"Your message was; Sasuke(-kun), please call me when you get the chance. You're the only one I can~/
/Now the way I see it, you either sent me an incomplete message or you weren't able to delete all of the parts that you realized you didn't want me, or should I say this other Sasuke, to read."/ /
/"I typed in 'Sasuke-kun'?"/
//"Did you mean to write Sasori?"//
/"Y-Yes~"/
//"Then I hope you didn't end up sending him that very same text."//
/"Er…"/
//"Because if you did, this is the part where I laugh at you and you should start feeling extremely embarrassed."//
/"Okay! I lied! That text was in fact intended for you."/
//"I figured."//
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sasori please just stop this."/
/"No you STOP!"/
/"Don't yell at her."/
/"Sasuke-kun don't!"/
/"No! Let him speak. What was that just now?"/
/"No. Please. L-Let's just go."/
/"Only if he tells me what I want to hear."/
/"You don't get to decide for her."/
/"But you do?!"/
/"She decides for herself. She can stop anytime or… she can work if that's what she wants to do. For as long as she wants to."/
/"She'll work as long as you need her to. Tell her it's okay to quit and she'll stop coming to work. Tell her you don't need her anymore and she'll stop talking to you."/
/"No."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"So, how's the new schedule working for you?"/
/"Great! I'm doing great. It's uhm… keeping me productive with my … spare time."/
/"Are you sure you and Sasori didn't just have a fight because I won't ask you to quit working?"/
/"What?! No! That's not the case at all. He just really went back to Tokyo. … ['That's technically not a lie.'] … We talked about it and… he knows that I have to be here and he understood and… it really is okay for me to keep working here… just… as we… originally agreed on. … ['That definitely wasn't a lie.']/
/"Okay. … And your parents?"/
/"Hm?"/
/"They're… okay with you going full time here at work?"/
/"Oh. Erm… They're actually being very supportive about it."/
/"Is that normal? Good? Bad?"/
/"It's not… bad/."
['They're being considerate of my feelings after I told them that Sasori has left me for good.']
/"I see. … You uhm… should go home and get some rest."/
/"R-Right. I… Good night."/
/"Good /mornnig/. Get home safe. … … … I'll walk you out."/
…
/"…Aa. I'm just finishing up here at work… Aa… Hn… Aa. … … … That was R-Rin."/
/"Oh. I… still can't believe I thought you two were dating."/
/"W-What?"/
/"What?! Nothing! ... Erm… She's checking up on you?"/
/"Aa. Making sure I get some rest."/
/"You should. You're working even harder than before…"/
/"You noticed. By any chance, did that have a bit of an influence as to why you decided to work full time?"/
/"Uhm… Just… a bit/. … ['Hold on! Is this… considered /flirting/?']
/"I figured."/
/['Subtle flirting?']/
/"On a serious note, I could say the same about you."/
/"What?"/
/"You're well aware that I can tell when you're running away from something right?"/
/"Uhn."/
/"Sakura."/
/"YES! … ['Totally flirting!']/
/"Sasori is in Tokyo so… I take it you don't have any plans tomorrow? … I could just be assuming that you would be free but if you're not-"/
/"I'm free tomorrow… ['Wait! No! I can't do this!'] … /NOT/! I-I do… have plans… actually."/
/"Oh. I… understand. … Nevermind then. I'll see if I can ask someone else instead?"/
/"What?! I mean, uhm… okay. S-Sorry. Hope it goes well… /whatever it is/."/
/"A-Aa."/
/"T-Thanks."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
…
/"Sakura?!"/
/"Oh. There you are-"/
/"Sak-!"/
/"That… was close."/
/"Oh I see. You were in the shower."/
/"A-Aa."/
…
/"Something wrong?"/
/"N-No. Nothing's wrong."/
…
/"Err… I… I had a bad reception. I was looking for a good signal!"/
…
/"EH?!"/
/"Everything okay back there?"/
/"Y-Yeah. Everything's fine. Sorry. I… uhm… just saw something really shocking."/
…
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
Finally, Sakura remembered that time that he almost kissed her.
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please tr-
The number you dialed-
The number you-
The number
The num-
Th-
Th-
Th-
The number you dialed cannot be reached at the moment, please try again later,
Sakura's right hand fall to her side. The light coming from her phone screen dies.
She was shaking as she stood in front of her study table. Her eyes were cast down on the floor, glued to where her tears had been falling. Her left hand was over her mouth, muffling the sound of her cries.
…
…
…
Suddenly her alarm went off.
Sakura slowly raised her phone.
'Wake-up-call:USasuke'
She stared into her phone screen for a good few seconds. She then wiped her tears with her forearm and turned off the alarm.
And then, she dialed Sasuke's number one more time.
To Sakura's surprise it connected.
Sasuke picked up after the second ring.
"Sakura?"
Sakura's eyes widened. She started crying again as she was extremely overwhelmed with joy and relief after hearing his voice.
"Sakura?"
"S-Sasuke-kun…", she whimpered.
"What's wrong?!"
-he sounded alarmed.
"Sasuke-kun…"
"Aa. I'm here. I'm listening."
"Sasuke-kun… I… I'm sorry~"
"No. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. For everything."
"I love you~"
"..."
"I love you /so much/."
"Thank you. … I…"
"I know. It's okay. I understand. /But/… I still love you after all. I can't help it."
"Aa."
"I really, really love you."
"Aa."
Sakura sniffed and took a deep breath. "T-This is it… /righ/t? … This is… goodbye."
"A-Aa."
"I'm really glad I got the chance to hear your voice again."
"I feel the same way."
"I think I'll be fine even if it's the last time."
"You have to."
"Uhn. I'll do my best here so~ You too."
"I will."
"Good luck with… /everything/."
"Aa."
"Stay healthy. Stay safe."
"You too."
"Be happy~ Sasuke-kun~"
"I hope you find happiness as well."
"G-Go… Goodbye~"
"…"
"Sasuke-kun?"
"…/goodbye…"/
Sakura shut her eyes tightly, allowing her tears to fall.
~Beep~
…
…
…
~/You always knew me/
Better than anyone else I'd ever met
And that's what threw me
I think I lost myself the day you left
We used to stay up just to watch the date change to something new
Another day where I would have you~
Sakura slowly got down on her knees. When she was low enough, she flopped down on the floor. And just when she thought she was done crying, she suddenly broke down and wept silently.
~/But how can it all change so fast/
From everything to nothing just like that?~
Life goes on.
Days passed…
Months passed…
The winter season came.
~And all that time we'll never get back~
Sakura puts on a red jacket before walking towards her dresser and checking if her hair was neatly kept under her headband.
~/You know I was never scared of the end/
Only the way I knew we'd pretend
Like you and I were never even friends~
Sakura walked out of the door and ran out of their front yard. She waved to her father as she ran passed him while he was talking to an engineer in front of the bathhouse.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Sakura felt nostalgic as she saw the bus shelter coming up ahead. The bus comes to a stop and she had to go down.
Sakura lingered for a little while as she stared into the lone empty bench.
~And in the space you used to sleep
Are all those vows we couldn't keep
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Sakura and her classmates were busy with the upcoming entrance exams. Sakura and Neji put up a study group to teach Naruto and Lee together. Ino and the others were more than willing to join.
Sakura can't help but glance at Sasuke's empty seat from time to time.
In fact, she seems to remember Sasuke everywhere.
In the gym.
By the vending machine.
In the infirmary whenever she would visit Rin and Karin.
She remembers Sasuke even when she would walked pass the men's restroom.
~/I remember/
The way you used to talk about your doubts
Like they were demons
I wonder if you still talk like that now~
At the end of each day Sakura would eventually find herself at the all too familiar bus shelter. There are days when she was with Ino. Sometimes Ami and her friends would walk with her until they reach the overpass. Other times they would already be at the convenience store, waving at Sakura.
~I used to say you were my home
But now the house is empty
And I'm sleeping alone~
Ultimately, Sakura would be left alone as she waited for a bus. She would sometimes miss her bus just to be able to stay at the shelter longer. She always sat at the very end of the bench as if she had an invisible company.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?
And in the space you used to sleep
Are all those vows we couldn't keep
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Everyday Sakura is awoken by the same alarm. She always tries to delete her reminder once and for all but she could never bring herself to do so.
.
.
.
Naruto would often bring Sasuke up but whenever she was around everyone faintly talked about him.
Sakura would still hear news of Sasuke from Rin and sometimes even Karin but the more time passed the less they talked about him.
The last he heard of him was when Neji mentioned meeting him at a business convention over the winter break. According to Neji women were fussing over him and he was entertaining them warmly though it might be all for the purpose of keeping good relations.
~/But how can it all change so fast/
From everything to nothing just like that?
And all that time we'll never get back
You know I was never scared of the end
Only the way I knew we'd pretend
Like you and I were never even friends~
Graduation soon came and Hinata finally mustered the courage to confess her feelings to Naruto.
.
.
.
Sakura's parents met with Ino's parents for an awkward reunion when they had to send their daughter off to college. Ino was confused about the awkwardness the whole time until Sakura told her the whole story when they got on the train.
/./
/./
/./
In Tokyo Sakura kept herself busy with college and her internship at Senju Hospital. She found herself surrounded by people. She was able to see Sasori again and they went out a couple of times just as Ino and Sasori's friend started dating.
The next time Sasori asked Sakura out, it was to introduce her to a girl.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers~
One day Sakura wakes up to her alarm and realized that she was ready to delete that reminder.
~From talking every waking hour
To not knowing where you are now
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?
And in the space you used to sleep
Are all those vows we couldn't keep
We're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?~
Sakura and Ino comes home to Konoha for a winter break.
On the way to the hospital, they chance on Suigetsu who looked like he was doing pretty well.
.
.
.
Sakura and Ino then met up with Karin who was standing outside the hospital with Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya. Karin was holding a bouquet of flowers.
.
.
.
The girls proceeded to a Karaoke bar where Temari, Tenten and Hinata were waiting for them. Inside the bar they saw Ami and her friends and both groups joined together to have a good time.
Every single one of them was aging well.
Hinata revealed an engagement ring and the girls were all too happy for her.
They started talking about their relationships and Ino was devastated with the fact that she and Sakura were the only ones who weren't in a relationship.
~/You always knew me/
Better than anyone else I'd ever met~
Sakura herself was yearning to be with someone but more than that she was happy for her friends.
Now we're Suddenly Strangers
Isn't it strange?
(SUDDENLY STRANGERS - Lauren Aquilina)~
Sakura taps her phone to turn the music off. She slowly sat up and looked towards her wardrobe. A red coat and a light yellow shirt hung on the door handle ready for her to use that day.
Adjacent to her wardrobe was a cork board pinned on the wall directly above her desk. Sakura's eyes travelled from a note reminding her of a scheduled case study with Tsunade to another note reminding her to pick up a dress. Her eyes then darted down to her desk. Leaning on her framed college graduation picture with her parents was a wedding invitation.
Sakura got out of bed and proceeded to the bathroom. She moved the shower curtain aside-
END OF FLASHBACK
Karin's veil was raised.
Sakura clapped along with the other cheering guests as Suigetsu sealed their vows with a kiss.
Naruto was grinning as he captured the emotional moment on video. Beside him was his wife Hinata who was very happy for the newlyweds.
Karin and Suigetsu ended the kiss then turned to their guests. They waved and smiled at everyone.
As they walked down from the altar, Karin was congratulated by her maid of honor, Ami and her two bridesmaids, Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya. Suigetsu on the other hand shook hands with his groomsmen, Juugo and Kimimaru then finally with his best man, Sasuke.
.
.
.
/Noir/
/./
/./
/./
/TBC/
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