title: Road to Sakura
pairing: possible eventual SasuSaku.
summary: They had to see it for themselves. They didn't bother stopping at the hospital reception desk—they already knew which room their friend was in. And once they reached the room, they didn't bother knocking either and ran right into the room. Sakura almost dropped to her knees at the sight that met her. Both she and Hinata finally let out the tears they were holding back.
notes: Again, sorry for the long absence. Haven't really had the chance to write much. I thought I could get some writing in before winter break ends. Hopefully, this won't be my only update. I'm probably going to start working on Sakura DOROPPUSU after this. Maybe not. My readers, don't get your hopes up. There's almost not enough time in the world for anything now lol. Please enjoy the chapter. It's a short one, and I actually combined two chapter ideas into this just to make it longer. It's kinda crappy cuz I rushed it a bit...
notes 2: Lyrics from LYn's "Back in Time (시간을 거슬러)" from K-drama The Moon Embraces the Sun. (I just finished that drama and it was sooo good!)

°∴✿° ·°✿∴° .·°∴°·. °∴✿°· °✿∴°

Road to Sakura

"I follow the wet and rainy road
And look back to our memories
The blurry rain reminds me of you
And you fill up in my tears"

"Go away, niisan," the younger of the Uchiha brothers said without lifting his face from being smothered by his pillow. "I don't really want to talk right now..."

Itachi could barely contain his smile. "Well, I never thought I'd see the day when my younger brother doesn't want me around anymore. I guess I'll go and wallow in sadness in my room all by myself on this wonderful day when I'm actually healthy enough to be out of my room then."

The guilt trip had Sasuke sitting up. "Ugh, you know I don't mean it like that, niisan. I'm just . . . just . . ." Embarrassed? Regretting that kiss? Trying to forget it ever happened because now he can't even look at Sakura without turning all red? ". . . thinking." For lack of a better word and for the sake of his pride, Sasuke just left it at that.

But being his older brother, Itachi knew just what was on his little brother's mind. "If it makes you feel better, she couldn't look at you throughout dinner either. She probably feels the same since she hasn't killed you or put the Hyuga heiress on your case."

"How did you—"

"I'm your older brother, Sasuke. Even if I'm cooped up at home all day, nothing escapes my all-knowing eyes and ears." Itachi turned to leave then, but then he stopped, a mischievous smile graced his features. "Oh, just so you know, my dear foolish little brother, the whole clan has placed bets on who will confess first. I have a lot of money riding on you confessing within the month, so don't disappoint me, otouto."

"NIISAN!"

Itachi's laughter dulled his reflexes as Sasuke's pillow came hurling at him.

✿｡.:**:.｡✿

"Thank you very much for dinner, Mikoto-san, Kushina-san." Sakura said with a slight bow of her head.

"Oh, there's no need to be so formal, Sakura-chan!" the Uchiha matriarch told her, watching her fondly. She's grown up to be a wonderful girl, Mebuki. I'm sure you'd be proud of her...

"Yeah, and don't add '-san' to our names!" Kushina seconded her friend's statement. "You can always just call us Mikoto-mama and Kushina-mama. No need to act like we're strangers. Plus, if you ask me, Mikoto here is just dying for the day you and Sasuke get hitched!" She was elbowed in the stomach. "Ow! What did you do that for, Mikoto?"

"You talk too much, Ku-chan." It was hard to tell if Mikoto's smile was just sickly sweet or deadly, but her Uchiha glare said it all: "Say another word and it will be your last."

Sakura couldn't help but giggle. She could see where her teammates got most of their personalities from. They were just like their mothers! "Well, I got to get going. I hope to see you soon."

"Don't go yet, Sakura-chan. Sasuke needs to come down and see you off. Ugh, my son has no manners. He's just like his father, always sulking somewhere."

"It's fine, Mikoto-san. I—"

"SAKURA!"

All three females were surprised by Hinata's sudden appearance.

"Oh? Hina-chan? Why are you here?" It was then that Sakura took in Hinata's appearance. It was easy to tell that Hinata had been sprinting just to get to her. Worry began to weigh on her heart. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's . . . Ino-chan..." Hinata said in between breaths and tear-filled eyes. "Ino . . . she . . . she's..."

Sakura's heart dropped.

✿｡.:**:.｡✿

Both Sakura and Hinata practically flew at the speed they were running, but there was no time to waste. They had to see it for themselves. They didn't bother stopping at the hospital reception desk—they already knew which room their friend was in. They didn't bother taking the elevator either. It was too slow. And once they reached the room, they didn't bother knocking either and ran right into the room.

Sakura almost dropped to her knees at the sight that met her. Both she and Hinata finally let out the tears they were holding back.

"Hey, Chunnin girl..." Ino said once her mother released her from a tight hug. "I hope I didn't worry you too much, but I wanted to surprise you since I didn't have the time to get you a present."

Sakura's tears continued to flow as she threw her arms around the blonde, shaking her head at what the blonde just said. "No... This was the best present... I'm so happy you're finally awake, Ino-chan."

Ino just smiled as she returned the hug with one arm and patted the rosette's head with her other hand.

"Don't scare us like that again, Ino, or I'll never forgive you," Hinata cried also joining in on the hug.

"I must have been asleep for long, huh?" Ino smiled, wrapping an arm around Hinata too. "Did the both of you already make up? I can't believe I missed it! You have to fill me in!"

"Later, Ino, later..." Sakura said, wiping away her tears. "Just for now . . . thank you, Ino. Thank you for waking up." Thank you for staying. Thank you for not leaving me.

"Can I travel back time and hug you just like before?
Just for once, even if it's last
I'll be okay"