69A/N: I changed my penname from Nica-chan510 to HaruCherry510. Just telling you now. And about this chapter...I'm skipping a whole lot of parts in the anime, so don't be mad if I didn't put the part some people like. I just want to get this story running smoothly as I can.
I was really uncomfortable sending this chapter in for so many reasons. But I dedicate this chapter to my beta-reader HatefulShinobi. I got a lot of feedback and support and I'm running this chapter in:) Thank you!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own the anime Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto created it and I'm borrowing the characters to create a Fanfiction story. I do own Kariko Sanomi, Chikako, and any other character that wasn't involved in the real life anime, also known as OCs. Thank you.
Dimensions 2
Chapter 40: May a Ninja Dream with Pride
Dream Sequence
/Protect.../
A drop of water landed in a small puddle. A voice echoed in the gloomy darkness.
/Protect the lives of others!/
Walking through the darkness was a young girl wearing a white dress that went down to her knees. Her indentification was unknown as she walked with her bare feet. Each step that she would feel the wet floor splashed in a silent, but, calm manner. She stopped in a sudden halt-she could feel something coming right by her. The girl looked down to see nothing but the dark; but as she was looking down, a light reflected the floor. In a blink of an eye, the girl was inside a large crystal container. She didn't know what was going on as she started to pound it furiously. Each time she hit it, the crystal made light.
"He he. Caught you..."
The girl panted slightly and saw an older woman with sharp fangs in her mouth. The girl couldn't hear the words spoken by the woman, but the crystal container made a hole in the middle. The young girl was about to escape but violent aura butterflies came out of no where and pinned the girl down. She couldn't stand a chance when the other girl painfully bit her in the neck...
End Dream Sequence
Hotel Room
A shattering scream was heard through the rooms of the hotel. In a certain room, Kariko Sanomi was the one that screamed in a futon bed. She sat up, only to be laid down again by the pain in her back. She winced slightly but carefully adjust her position of the bed to make herself comfortable. Beads of sweat was pouring down her forehead; she couldn't believe what she was dreaming earlier. She stared at her palms and noticed she was wearing a white T-shirt and khaki shorts.
/D-Doko desu ka?/ She thought as she stared at the ceiling.
/Am I at the hotel?/ Sanomi didn't recognize this hotel. She knew for sure that the hotel room she used to be in was totaled by the Akatsuki.
/I thought I would be at the hospital.../
Sanomi relaxed herself by feeling her forehead and looking out the window to see the big blue sky. A voice rattled her head as Chikako spoke to her.
"Daijoubu desu ka?" She asked in a small voice.
"Fine. But what's happening?" The samurai asked back. Chikako could only shrug her shoulders with no answer. With a slight disturbance of their conversation, the door rattled open and Sanomi could only see an orange blur coming her way.
"Sanomi-chan!" A hyper-active Naruto embraced her tightly. She winced in pain by that certain action, but had an emotionless face.
"Naruto...please let go of me..." Sanomi asked politely. Naruto could sheepishly let go.
"Gomen, gomen."
When the door completely opened, she spotted three adults in the room and a pink little pig walking and looking around the room with curiousity. Sanomi couldn't help but know who the adultsor should I say, fellow shinobi and kunoichi were. Two of them were sennins-hence Jiraiya, the pervert and the other was an apprentice-Shizune. The elder kunoichi with the light blond hair went down to Sanomi's level.
"Konichiwa. Watashi wa wo namae Tsunade desu."
The young kunochi's eyes widened. Right in front of her was Tsunade-sama-the one she was eager to meet. Tsunade eyed Sanomi's condition and asked her to sit up. Sanomi nodded her head and trying not to hurt herself, sat up with the support of Tsunade's hand.
"What might your name be?" She asked as she lifted Sanomi's T-shirt up to see her back. Sanomi wanted to answer right away, but all she could do was stare at her eyes-staring at her with wonder. She was a little fazed when Tsunade was feeling her bare back. Until a few seconds passed she decided to answer.
"Kariko Sanomi-Konohagakure no Sato." She mumbled. /Why on earth did I say that?!/
"Kariko Sanomi, ne? I heard of your back condition and I'll treat you." Sanomi looked behind her and watched Tsunade with complete focus of her chakra. Her hand made a neon green glow that was on Sanomi's back and Sanomi bit her lip with nervousness. She knew she shouldn't be nervous, Tsunade-sama was helping her after all. The others also watched how she was being treated. The ache that Sanomi felt earlier was fading away in an instant.
"There." Tsunade's hand left the young girl's back, "Don't push yourself too hard."
"Hai. Domo arigatou, Tsunade-sama." Sanomi thanked her with her help.
"No problem. Now...let's go back to Konohagakure all right?"
As the adults left the through the doorit was only Naruto and Sanomi. Sanomi stood up and went on to pack her things and dress up. Once she was done she gazed at Naruto, who started to fiddle around with his jacket pocket and took out a plastic bag. Inside was the remains of Sasuke's necklace. Sanomi just stared at the blond haired boy dumbfounded.
"I thought this was very important..." Naruto said in a faint voice, "I'm hoping you still want it." Sanomi just stayed quiet but responded.
"Naruto-kun..." She took the plastic bag and just stared at the silver cracked chain, "...thank you."
Konohagakure
The journey wasn't all that long, but during the way back home Sanomi started to feel a pain in her body. It was strange because Tsunade should've inspected it earlier-to see if she had other injuries. She fought against it and didn't want Tsunade to inspect her again. Chikako started to speak to her with a hint of worry.
/You okay?/
/Hai./ Sanomi reassured her, but Chikako didn't take the answer that likely. Since she was in the mind of Sanomi, she decided that she would be the one inspecting her. So with a little bit of concentration, she went inside Sanomi's Dimension in a quick second.
Sanomi's Dimension
/There's nothing here.../
Chikako gazed around the empty dimension. Nothing was around her surroundings. As she started to move forward in the dimension she spotted something tremendous in front of her.
It was the crystal container that Chikako sealed Mekia with.
Her eyes widened with shock as the crystal started to shake faintly and make small cracks.
/Oh no.../
Mekia was going to come back soon.
Reality
/Ano...everything is fine Sanomi. Maybe it's just something shaken up within you. He heh.../ Chikako was uneasy about this when she came back to talk to her samurai. She didn't want to tell Sanomi yet because it might overwhelm her.
/Maybe.../ The samurai thought. She soon took a deep breath and continued to follow them.
Konohagakure Hospital
/So this is where Gai-sensei took Sasuke.../ Sanomi stared at the hospital in front of her. Tsunade was informed that she had to treat Uchiha Sasuke and Rock Lee in the hospital. It wasn't long that she was announced as the new Hokage so it was good timing.
"You wish to visit someone?" Tsunade asked as she stared at the hospital. Sanomi turned her head away.
"Anmari desu..."
"Do you want to come in?" Sanomi knew that she wanted to see someone she longed for, but she was afraid of changes. She realized that she had to face it anyway and went inside with Tsunade.
Uchiha Sasuke's Hospital Room
The two ladies went inside a plain white room with gray tiled floors and a bed that rested a pale boy. By a bedside, she saw many lily flowers in a vase made of glass filled up with water.
/He still didn't wake up?/ Sanomi thought to herself. Sanomi then saw someone she was familiar with.
"Sakura-chan." She whispered. The emerald eye girl turn around and gazed at the fellow kunoichi. Looking at her eyes, Sanomi knew that Sakura was exhausted from watching him. She guessed that she came here everyday with such sadness and remorse. She turned her gaze away and said a quiet hello. Meanwhile, Tsunade went over to Sasuke who was resting in the bed. Sakura watched as a Tsunade's chakra transferred to Sasuke's forehead and healed him just so he could wake up-and he did.
With a slow motion, the Uchiha opened his dark obsidian eyes that were emotionless and sat up. Sakura, who had waited for so long for him to wake up, embraced him tightly. She was grateful that he was okay, yet Sasuke turned his head away. All that Sanomi could do right now was let Sakura hug him-she didn't want to disturb the moment. In her heart, she was starting to feel her heart thump in a motion she never felt before. But it wasn't the same and wanted to speak to Sasuke soon as she ruffled something in her pocket.
"Sakura-chan!"
Through the doors, Naruto came inside the room. But after seeing the two people hug each other and knowing that Sakura still had feelings for Sasuke, Naruto stayed quiet and left the room, telling Tsunade to follow. Sanomi looked sadly at Naruto-she knew about the affections he had with the young kunoichi and started to follow him anyway. As she walked through the hallway, seeing Gai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei (which she was happy to see after all, except for Tsunade's constant yelling), she saw Lee still with his crutches.
Seeing him like this made Sanomi's heart fall deep inside her. Why were so many good ninja getting hurt? It made her feel so uncomfortable as Tsunade checked on him. Sanomi wanted to examine Lee since she had nothing else to do, and Sakura might still be in Sasuke's room. After Tsunade came to a conclusion that Lee should quit as a shinobi, Sanomi clutched her fist and shook her head with anger. Gai argued with Tsunade, knowing that she could do the operation for him. But seeing the multiple bone fragments deep in a nerve system, she could risk Lee's life and he would die.
"Why is everyone saying that?!" Everyone turned to look at Sanomi with surprise,
"There are many ninja that have dreams and goals. Lee has the most important dream! Quitting as a ninja without accomplishing that dream means nothing at all! Just because he's injured, injured with so much pain, it doesn't mean that he shouldn't give up! You won't give up won't you Lee-san?! Tsunade-sama?!"
There was an awkward silence in the room. Lee just stared at her with awe. He had never seen Sanomi acted like this before. She was always a quiet and he doesn't talk much to her. But seeing her standing up to Lee and the new Hokage, made him think about her determination to not give up on them. As for Sanomi she didn't know what she was thinking, saying those things in a frustrated way. But she was frustrated about it so she shouldn't argue with herself.
"That's enough Sanomi. Let Tsunade think about it..." Gai muttered softly. Sanomi bit her lip and bowed.
"Forgive me. I don't know what came over me..." She said softly as she stared at the tiled floor.
"And for that, Sanomi, I'll think about it."
Sanomi lifted her head and saw Lee dressing up and grabbing his crutches, "I'll always admire your hope." He said. Sanomi couldn't think for a while as Lee disappeared through the hallway.
"Lee-san..."
"Sanomi, I suggest that you leave now." Tsunade said in a low voice. She patted her shoulder, telling her that it was okay to have that outburst. It spoke to them a whole lot and Sanomi turned around to walk away.
/Interesting girl...many were influenced by Sarutobi, eh?/ Tsunade chuckled to herself.
Konohagakure Hospital: Few Days Later...
In the meantime, Sakura had left the room to get something for Sasuke. Sanomi peeked inside the room, noting that Sasuke had fallen asleep again. She held on one sunflower and one white carnation in her hand. She walked inside the room quietly, not trying to wake the boy up. She placed the white carnation on the vase and silently walked away from the room. She had one more flower to deliver. After passing many medic nins and assistants in the hallway, she spotted the room she wanted to see.
"Lee-san?" She whispered as she closed the door with a silent click. Sanomi eyed the boy staring at the window thinking to himself. He turned his head and faced the girl.
"Oh, Sanomi-chan. Is there something you need, my youthful flower?" Lee asked with much admiration, but with much exhaustion also. Sanomi smirked and placed the sunflower in the small vase.
"Just the sunflower."
"Thank you- twice by the way."
"Hmm?" Sanomi was puzzled.
"Because of your words...I'll be planning to take the operation." Sanomi made a small gasp with shock,
"My dream does mean a lot to me and that I shouldn't give up on it just because of a serious injury. In order to be a ninja, you have to face many difficulties and challenges. If I die during this operation, I die with pride in myself and that I accomplished as much I can. My dream stays alive throughout the whole entire world."
After hearing those words, Sanomi felt bittersweet in her heart. She started to have a new role model in the ninja world and she made a soft smile.
"Lee-san...your dream is always everywhere." Sanomi looked up to see Lee smile also.
"You'll always be a very good friend to me." Lee replied.
"No problem, Lee-san. I'm hoping that the operation will go well."
"I hope so too." He said, "By the way, how is your training going?" Sanomi was surprised by the question but responded,
"It's...going fine, thank you..."
/But I barely did anything.../ She pouted.
/It's your fault anyway/ Chikako stuck out an imaginary tongue at her.
"I'm glad. You're an excellent kunoichi." Sanomi made a smile as Lee complimented her. Sure he didn't see much of Sanomi's fighting style, but he knew that she was good and that she had many people in her life. Sanomi waved a good-bye to him and Lee did the same.
/I hope to help you when you're down, Sanomi-chan. But right now, I should tell Tsunade-sama./
With a small talk with Tsunade when he left the room, the operation would begin in the afternoon.
Uchiha Sasuke's Hospital Room
Sanomi went back to Sasuke's room and saw quietly in a nearby chair. Talking to Lee made her feel comfortable and that she shouldn't worry too much. She spotted Sasuke finally awake and staring out the window. Sanomi wished to say something first, but was dazzled when Sasuke spoke.
"Daijoubu ka?" Sanomi heard that his voice was exhausted but a bit commanding while asking.
"Hai. I should be asking you the same thing."
"They wanted you didn't they?" Sanomi stared at him.
"The Akatsuki? My Kochou Demon and chakra they wanted..." She saw Sasuke's hand clutched the white blanket, "but they didn't get it."
There was more silence between the two of them. Sanomi stood up and walked toward the bed. She held the plastic bag in her hand and Sasuke stared at her.
"This was all that was left after you were in the genjutsu." The broken necklace made a soft sound as she moved it around. She placed the bag near the white carnation when suddenly pain struck her.
"Ah..." Sanomi clutched her heart as the pain continued like a throwing rock, "ow..."
"You okay?" Sasuke was alerted but Sanomi looked at him. This wasn't the same Sasuke that really cared for her. It was like a monotone voice that passed her ears when he said it.
"I'm fine..."
"You sure?"
"Hai."
"Sasuke, I brought cut up apples for you." Sakura had entered the room with a plate of cut up apples for him. Sanomi bit her lip and walked back to the chair.
/It's hurting.../
Chikako stayed silent and started to feel more and more guilt within her. She should tell her right now but Naruto came in the room also to see Sasuke. Sanomi saw him stare at the window with much hate. He had a lot of things going through his mind.
"Sasuke, do you want an apple?" Sakura offered the apple, but before she could do anything else, Sasuke knocks the plate away and had his sharingan eyes activated.
"Sasuke-"
"Don't talk." Sanomi was in complete shock but didn't command him.
"Ochitsuku kudasai!"
"Iie! Urusei! Naruto, ore wa tatakai!" Sasuke made a stance and Sanomi couldn't believe it. He was going to fight Naruto. Naruto was a bit shaken but made a grimace.
"Just what I was waiting for..."
A/N: Whoa! There was a Lee moment! Throughout the story, I think every boy came to SanomiO.O Eh, I'll be stopping here. Remember, HaruCherry510!