Sakura Haruno, The Fallen Cherry Blossom

Chap. 2: She faked smiles

I finished writing out the medical files, letting out a sigh and wiping my eyes tiredly. Glancing over at the quietly ticking clock, I realized how late it was.

'Man.. Can't believe it's almost 3...'

Sakura-chan... do me a favor and go to bed... your thoughts keep disrupting my sleep.

'So I've noticed... Go to bed little dove, I'll try to keep quiet.'

After waiting and receiving no responses, only snores, I concluded that he'd fallen back to sleep. Smiling and letting out a chuckle at Inner, I locked up my office and began one last round, making sure the patients were doing okay and sleeping.

As I checked the first two floors, also seeing other nurses on the way, I noticed someone was up. Peeking into the room, I recognized Konohamaru. Blanching, I remembered a day earlier that his team had come back from a C-rank and on their way a couple of rogue ninjas attacked. Thankfully it was close to the village entry so they could call for help. Moegi, Udon, and Ebisu-sensei got away with minor injuries, but Konohamaru got a stab wound in the back from covering Udons' back and a wrist sprain from blocking a sword swipe at Ebisu-sensei. Kind of reminds me of... uh never mind.

"Konohamaru? Why are you still up?" I ask him softly as i stepped in. He jumped slightly startled, before glancing over at me. "Is something the matter?"

He doesn't say anything for a moment. "When do you think they will be back?"

I flinched slightly before forcing on a smile. "I'm sure they'll be back soon. Is that what was bothering you?"

Konohamaru gazed at me, eyes sad. "Sakura-nee" My eyes widened "why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing what?" I ask him, a little confused.

"Pretending you're fine. Why do you keep doing it?"

I stared at him quietly, not giving an answer. So Konohamaru continues. "Why do you keep pushing people away? Why do you keep trying to bury yourself in your work? Why do you continue on with fake smiles? Why-"

I cut him off. "It makes the pain disappear, if not temporarily." My voice in is just a whisper and almost non-existent. His eyes widen in shock. "And besides who do I have to speak with here? No one cares. They left me here because they think I'm weak. They didn't give me a chance. They always leave me behind. They couldn't care less. Why else would I push people away?" I was starting to get mad. Not at Konohamaru, he didn't do anything (except maybe push my buttons). It was them and also him. The clipboard I was still carrying cracked from the pressure I was causing.

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breathe, I opened them, locking onto Konohamarus' shocked and slightly nervous face. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be going."

As I walk towards the door, I hear the bed sheets rustlings and bare feet slapping the floor. opening the door, I pause. Not because I want to, but because of the arms around my waist. I feel Konohamaru burying his face into my back. "Konohamaru...?"

He let out a small sniffling sound, making my eyes widen. Managing (somehow) to turn to Konohamaru, I wrapped my arms around his shaking shoulders. "Hey, what's the matter? Why are you crying?"

He let out a hiccup before speaking. "You don't have to feel lonely anymore, Sakura-nee; you have me."

I looked down at the sobbing boy who was in my arms, face buried into my stomach. I thought about what he said and asked him one more question. "Why do you say that? What about..."

"You need me more than him. Please... just let me help you."

A faint smile crossed my lips. "Konohamaru... consider yourself lucky. You just might be the last person I let through the gates." (Besides the pack and Inner.. speaking of him I need to ask him what his real name is...)

He looked up, "You mean...?" Konohamaru trailed off. I nod, this time giving him a real, genuine smile. "You won't regret this, I promise."

Oh Konohamaru, she won't regret her decision; Sakura-chan never does regret them.

And here's chapter 2. As soon as I figure out how to put the picture up, it'll be Toralei. Catch ya next time. :P