Unfurling Bud

Chapter Eleven

Pain, pain, PAIN. Blotches clouding my eyes, heart pounding against my chest, tears picking my eyes, my lungs desperate for air, I felt myself slipping deeper and deeper into the realm of death - this time, with no return.

"See you soon, Sakura~chan."

That was when I woke up. I removed my hands from my mouth, raking my fingers through my locks repetitively, comforting myself.

Was this a premonition?

I stayed in one spot for some time, slowly curling further and further into myself. It was just a  nightmare. Something I could normally handle with ease... What makes this time so different? And why did it affect me to this extent? Nightmares weren't that hard to deal with. You wake up with your heart pounding like it's going to burst out of your chest for a few minutes, give or take, before finding out that no killing clown or some psycho doll was about to get you. That's all there is to it. Easy.

I sighed, at times like this, I really wished I had someone to confide in. Family to confide in...

Mother. She was always there to lend an ear or to give a hug when I came home, face blotchy and nose running. Father. His thoughtful emails always made my day a little better. Even my annoying siblings listened to me and noticed, somehow, when I was feeling down.

I miss them.

I wish- No. Stop. Just stop. What I was thinking was impossible.

They were gone now- I had to realize that. Reduced to nothing but a precious memory. And it would stay that way, no matter what I tried. I slowly wiped the tears that managed to slip out of my watering eyes and steeled my gaze, hating myself just a little. Enough. I wouldn't keep on torturing myself like this.

After dressing and gathering my ninja gear, I took a deep breath...and slid open the paper door.  Thud! My blurry vision was mobbed with tufts of bright blond, the sounds of heavy breathing in the background. 

"'Morning, Sakura!" shouted Naruto, with his signature grin. I smiled back weakly.

"Why so early?" I tilted my head slightly in question. The smell of grass and dirt hit my nose, and I figured he must have been training.

"Training, of course! I need to get stronger to beat that bastard and kick that S-ranked nin's butt! I know I'll master tree-walking in no time!" Just as I thought. "But hey...are you okay, Sakura? You don't look too good."

I felt the smallest bit of shock, Naruto...noticed that? I should be more careful. The corners of my lips lifted higher in an effort for a better smile, "I'm fine, but you should take it easy, alright? It wouldn't be good for you to deplete your chakra supply and faint!"

"Huh... if you say so." he replied in a slightly quieter voice than normal. Then he returned to his usual self so fast I almost couldn't have caught his previous slip, "Wait, faint?! Nuh uh! Fainting is for girls!" I raised an eyebrow, and his face dawned with realization. He quickly started backpedaling, "Oh...um...n-not you Sakura! You're the exception. 'Cause you're reallysmartandstrongand-"

"Pfft, I get it Naruto. I think you should be worrying about Kakashi-sensei instead, though." I inched away from the light killing intent. He could be pretty scary without even trying, I have to admit.

"Eh?" he turned.

Kakashi's single eye crinkled unsettlingly, "Naruto, I guess we need to up your training, huh? No meals until you master tree-walking!"

"Whaaaat?!" Naruto gaped, frozen even when Kakashi left.

"Well then, good luck." I smiled.

"Sakuraaaa! Help me, please!"