GaaSaku: Childhood & Chunin Exams

Chapter 19: Hospital Visit

Sakura was at the appointment with a doctor and ready to get two shots on both of her shoulders. The doctor asked her a few questions if she has hepatitis B, metabolic disorder, or any other diseases that may affect her health entirely. She stated that she's only sick, however, the doctor wasn't convinced by her statement so she told her that she needs to take a few medical tests, just in case.

Two hours later, the doctor gave her proper medication and told her that someone used a jutsu on her heart that is highly contagious, much to her dismay and confusion. Sakura asked what it was but the doctor never knew it in her life and reminded her not to worry.

"I'll ask one of my co-workers to do research on it and inform the third Hokage. Alright, Sakura. You're dismissed now," the doctor said with a smile.

"'Thank you, Dr. Hellen," Sakura smiled back and nodded at her respectfully. She closed the door behind her and began to look for Sasuke. "I wonder if he's awake right now," she thought hopefully as she went to ask the lady at the counter what room he was in.

"On the left hallway, right beside the restroom," she replied, pointing in the direction.

"Thank you," Sakura walked slowly on the way to Sasuke's room until she saw Kakashi leaning against the wall. She looked a bit surprised. "Oh, sensei. What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same thing, but since you came here to see him. I remind you that he's still not available to see any visitors yet, so come back next week," he suggested kindly as he continued reading his book silently then spoke. "Once he wakes up, he needs to be well-trained by me. Also, I'm expecting you and Naruto too."

Sakura understood this and said, "We're working on it. I've been learning my own techniques these past few days. Naruto is the luckiest guy because he has Jiraiya who can help him win the upcoming tournament."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Remember, never forget who you are and never let anyone judge the way they want you to become because both of your teammates don't know what passion you felt inside your heart. Okay?" Kakashi smiled under his mask as Sakura smiled back in determination and nodded in reply.

"Got it. Thanks for the advice, Kakashi-sensei," she turned around with a smile and walked away.

"Anytime, kiddo," he said and continued reading.

As Sakura was heading outside the hospital building, she noticed that her friendly rival Ino was leaning against the fence with a smirk on her face.

"Well, well, look who showed up," Sakura said politely. "You came here to visit Sasuke, weren't you? I see."

"What are you talking about? I only came here to see you and by the looks of it, you don't seem to be comfortable around my presence. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you some bad news," Ino unfolded her arms and stood straight up as she spoke. "Last night... someone nearly attempted to kill Naruto."

Sakura went shocked in disbelief. "What? What do you mean? Do you know who?"

"No clue. I found out this morning while I was working at a Yamanaka shop and dealing with a few customers," she replied thoughtfully and shrugged a little.

"Wasn't Jiraiya there to watch him all night?" Sakura asked curiously.

"He left before midnight. That's what Shikamaru had said. Both of us have no idea who was Naruto's attacker, but at least he's okay," Ino said. "He stated that he scared him away with his 'mighty powers.' How annoying." She rolled her eyes and sighed. "He shouldn't joke about that."

"Well, that's Naruto for you. Once an idiot, always an idiot," Sakura smiled in relief. Staring up the blue sky with puffy clouds made her feel relaxed all of a sudden after she shook off her thoughts.

"So do you want to eat lunch with me? I'm taking a break from my shift," Ino glanced at her as if they were friends back then, which Sakura gladly accepted.

"Sure," she answered as they walked silently together in peace.

In the 3rd training ground, Team 8 and the rest of the rookies were sparring off each other using their abilities and strength to level up their skills. Kiba counter-attacks Choji's technique and decides to use a new trick on him with Akamaru while Shikamaru was controlling his shadows extending them to possess Shino's bugs, apparently dodge them till they snuck inside his blue sandals.

"Jeez, I knew this was going to happen. Guess I have to use my own strategy then," Shikamaru made a few hand signs, throwing some shurikens at Shino. He used his Shadow possession jutsu again as the shurikens transformed into clones using the same technique as quickly as possible.

However, Shino got away by using his transportation technique to dodge the attack. "Like I would fall for that trick of yours." Unfortunately, he was caught when he noticed that the green handkerchief was floating like a parachute above the sky. "What? But how did you-"

"The moment you dodged my attack, I secretly used a clone to set it up and increase the length of my shadows. So now you know my trick. Anyway, I'm going to improve it for the upcoming tournament because I'm going against a girl named Temari. Yeah, she's pretty scary when she fought Tenten. By the looks of her, I don't think I'll be able to win. I'm telling you, that chick isn't someone you do not want to mess with," Shikamaru said thoughtfully of the preliminary rounds. "This is going to be a drag."

"Why must you doubt your skills and abilities? A true ninja must endure through hardships," Shino stated quietly as he pushed his glasses towards his nose quizzically.

"You can say that again. You're the word of the day," Shikamaru sat down on the grass tiredly as he watched Choji battling against Kiba and Akamaru.

"Giant boulder!" Choji uses his speed to chase them, but couldn't find where they were, just when they used the Fang Over Fang technique to undo his jutsu. He groaned in confusion after his body went back to normal.

"Hah. Told you I can beat ya. Ready for another round?" Kiba asked coolly. Akamaru jumped up on the top of his head and barked for Choji's answer excitedly, but he groaned tiredly. "I guess not."

Shikamaru chuckled and offered them a treat. "Why don't we go meet Ino and Sakura for lunch? We'll discuss it on the way there."

Meanwhile back at the village, Kankuro and Temari were searching Sakura around the shopping area with their worried faces. Without a doubt, their eyes got caught by a girl with long pink hair.

"That's her!" Temari exclaimed as she walked towards the girl and tapped her shoulder lightly. "Hey, Sakura-" However, just when she turned around to face her, her reaction faltered a little. "Oh! Sorry. We were looking for-"

The girl blinked twice in surprise and interrupted with a smile. "It's alright. No need to apologize. Actually, I have seen her. She's eating lunch with her friends at the Ichiraku Ramen place." She told them two different directions of which way to go. "But you can use the shortcut if you want. It's the easiest way because I always went there in that corner beside the book store."

"Oh, thanks. Let's go, Kankuro," Temari said in astonishment. She was about to run until she stopped for a moment to point out something. "You know, you look exactly like her." She raced down the street as fast as she could.

Kankuro also thanked and reminded the girl of her similar look then quickly followed his sister, leaving her standing in front of the hotel entrance as the wind gave a gentle breeze while birds flew across the sun happily in peace.

Thinking about what they mentioned about her having the same resemblance to Sakura was much more grown-up. They haven't realized that she came from the future, much to their puzzlement. However, the girl was glad that they never got the chance to figure out why she looked like her. Maybe it was for the best to not tell them the truth yet.

"My dear friends... I'll be home soon, but there is something important I left here. We've been separated for 7 years. I hope I'm able to do the right thing," the future Sakura prayed in mind, hoping that there's more time to fix what she did that broke her and her friends apart in this present that her other one is living in. She hoped that she would be able to confront her present self with some problems she was having now.