Next day;
12 pm....
..... Knock! Knock! Knock!
Sakura: Manami, open the door.
Hinata: Maybe she's still sleeping....
Ten ten: Yeah.....
Sakura: I'm worried... She usually gets up earlier for training.
Ten ten: But she must be exhausted from yesterday's fight....
Sakura: Yeah but still......
Sakura, Ten ten and Hinata are waiting for Manami to open the door.
After five minutes, Manami speaks from inside.
Manami: I'm coming.... (Weird voice)
Ten ten: What's wrong with that voice?
Manami opens the door.
She's all dizzy and her face is red.
Manami: Good... Morning...
Sakura: Manami! Do you have a fever?!
Manami: I.... think......
Hinata: I think we should get you inside....
Ten ten : Come...
They lay her in her bed.
Sakura puts a wet cloth on her forehead.
Manami: Sorry for troubling you....
Sakura: Are you kidding? We are friends...
Hinata: Sakura, is it due to her fight yesterday?
Sakura: No... I mean, it's true that she used a massive amount of chakra but much to my surprise, it seemed like she had only spent little amount of chakra... It shouldn't effect her now.
Ten ten: You've grown so much stronger than before....
Hinata: Yeah...
Sakura: But then, what caused this? You don't seem to have a cold or anything.. just fever.
Manami: Well that's....
Manami's thoughts: The reason is what happened last night.... after he left I was so embarrassed..... and guess what? I get a fever when I'm embarrassed... BUT I CAN'T TELL THEM THAT!!!! Now I'm even more embarrassed!!!!
Just then, her stomach growls....
Sakura: Didn't you get breakfast?
Manami: I tried to make myself something but.....
Just then they hear Hinata's little scream.
Sakura and ten ten run towards the kitchen. They find Hinata... shocked...
Hinata: W...What happened in here....?!
Sakura: Was she cooking for an entire army?!!!!!
Ten ten: What was she even making?! (Baking powder mixed with red chili powder etc)
.................
So, they clean up the kitchen and then decide to make some rice porridge for her but they are out of some ingredients so Hinata goes to get them.
While Hinata was shopping, She runs into Naruto , Gaara ,Kiba, Choji, Shino and Shikamaru.
Naruto: Hey Hinata!
Hinata: Naruto-kun...
Naruto: I thought you, Sakura and Ten ten went to visit Manami....
Hinata: Y..Yes we did.. She has a fever... so we are taking care of her...
Naruto: That's bad... I hope she gets well soon.....
Choji: Why don't we visit her?
Kiba: Good idea..!
Naruto: Lets go then...
Gaara: I'm not going.
Shikamaru: Huh? Why?
Gaara: I have business to attend to..
Naruto: Come on now, I'm sure you can at least go say hi!
Gaara: No. I'm busy.
With this, He leaves.
Shino: That's weird.....
Kiba: Impossible I'd say!!!
Naruto: Yeah... how can he not go meet her when she's sick?!!!
Shikamaru: Maybe it's because yesterday Manami told him she hates him...
Hinata: I'm worried....
Then they all head to Manami's house.
Gaara's thoughts: I.. can't face her..... She probably hates me because of what I did......She has feelings for someone else...... I can't even apologize...
.................
Back at Manami's place;
Naruto: Hey Manami, how are you feeling now?
Manami: Not good....
Sakura: Don't worry, you'll get better in no time.
Manami: Where's Gaara?
Naruto: He's busy....
Manami: Oh...
Kiba: Man! .... He wanted to come soooo badly..
Ten ten: I think its enough. She needs rest.
Naruto: Okay then...
The boys leave after a while.
Hinata: Here's your rice porridge.
Manami: I'm sure it will be delicious!
Sakura: Now hurry up and eat so you can go to sleep.
Manami: Yes Maám!
She hurriedly finishes her food.
Manami: That was delicious!!!
Hinata: I'm glad you liked it...
Manami: Hmm... Naruto is going to be very lucky .....
Hinata blushes.
Sakura checks her temperature.
Sakura: Your fever is also going down now...
Manami: Hey...
Sakura: What is it?
Manami: Why.... didn't he come to visit me?
Sakura: I really don't know.....
Manami: Can I.. tell you something?
Ten ten: sure.
Manami: I... get a fever when I'm embarrassed.
Sakura: Really?
Manami: hm.
Hinata: So what were you embarrassed about?
Manami: Well... you see...
She turns red and her fever begins to rise again.
Ten ten: What are you a stove?
Sakura: Calm down or your fever will rise . Tell us if you want to...
Manami: I want to but am unable to....
Hinata: Are you sure you're fine?
Manami takes a deep breath.
Manami: Just try and understand before I complete. Okay?
Sakura: Okay.
Manami: Well.... last night.... I was ... standing at my balcony when... he came to see me.... and he told me....
Sakura: I get it...
Ten ten : You do?
Sakura: It's simple. He confessed to you and most probably kissed you too... That is the only possible explanation.
Manami: (NODS)
Hinata: That...is embarrassing...
Sakura: but that doesn't explain why he didn't come to see you....
Ten ten: Are we detectives?....
Manami: I... want to meet him...
Sakura: Manami, right now... you need to know your own feelings.... What he told you means a lot to him .... you have to answer him properly.... He loves you...
Hinata: I'm sure he's waiting for you....
Ten ten: I don't know much about romance but.. you two will make a good couple!
Manami: Thank you guys... I'm glad You are with me...
Manami's thoughts: I don't need to think twice ....... I love him.... I love him more than anything!...... If only I could tell HIM that.....I'm so glad that my friends are with me....I won't let them down.
Manami: I think... I'll go and see him... right now!
She tries to get up.
Sakura: No no no no no! You are not going anywhere right now.
Ten ten: You need to rest.
Hinata: I agree.
Manami: But!
Sakura: No buts lady! I hope you don't want to faint even before you can tell him a thing!
Manami: Okay.....
Manami's thoughts: As if I'll ever listen to you! Leave me alone and I'll escape!!!
HAHAHAHAHA (evil laughter)
Sakura: Ten ten, you'll be outside her room and Hinata, you're staying with her. Make sure she doesn't escape!
Hinata and Ten ten: Right!
Manami: What?! When did you develop mind reading skills?
Sakura: HA HA!
........
Out side Manami's room;
Ten ten: So... why did you stop her?
Sakura: Well, mostly to see her at her misery.....
Ten ten: That's not it...
Sakura: Yeah... If she escapes from here, which she will, she might be able to finally say it... you know... in the heat of the moment or excitement...
Ten ten: You are too genius in these matters ..... and that's too creepy!
Sakura: just because you don't have someone special yet!
Ten ten: and when was the last time you talked to sasuke?
Sakura: That's not your business!
Ten ten: Same goes for you!
Just then , Hinata runs out of the room.
Hinata: She ran away!
Sakura and Ten ten are still fighting.
Hinata: Girls, will you please listen....
Still fighting.
Hinata: LISTEN TO ME!!!!
Sakura: Huh?
Ten ten: What?
Hinata: SHE RAN AWAY!!!
Sakura: Ohh.... How?
Hinata: I was at the balcony , making sure she wont escape... SO SHE OPENED THE DOOR, WALKED RIGHT PASS YOU AND OUT OF THE MAIN DOOR!
Ten ten: Don't worry. We wanted her to escape anyways.
Hinata: Really...?
.........................................
Manami is running through the streets, breathing hard because of her fever.
Manami's thoughts: If I'm not wrong then Gaara must be at the kages residence.
She runs to the place. She enters through the main gate and then into the building. She finds one of the sand ninjas in the corridor.
Manami: Hey, is Gaa..... Kazekage here?
Ninja: Yes, he is in his room princess.
Manami: Thanks!
She goes to his room. But before she could reach it, Shikamaru calls her from behind.
Shikamaru: He's not here.
Manami: Hi again! Where did he go?
Shikamaru: Don't know. But I think he left when he heard your voice.
Manami: Are you sure?
Shikamaru: Not really but he used the back door, if that helps you find him.
Manami: Thanks!
She runs through the back door. After running for a minute or two, she ends up at the end of an ally that opens into the main street.
Manami's thoughts: Now where is he?!
Just then she hears Gaara voice nearby.
Manami: I think it's coming from that way.
She turns across the corner and goes to a shop.
Manami: Was the Kazekage here?
Lady: Yes, he just left.
Manami: Do you know where he went?
Lady: He was asking me about Timari-Sama.... She often comes to my shop...
Manami: And where is she?
Lady: She came here half an hour ago. She was talking about going to the training grounds.
Manami: Thanks.
Manami's thoughts: Why is he running away like that?!!! Now I have to find Timari!
She finds Timari on her way to the training grounds.
Timari: Hi! I thought you had a fever...
Manami: Well... I can't say I'm okay now.
Timari: Yeah, you don't seem okay too.
Manami: Tell me! Where is he?!
Timari: Who?
Manami: Gaara!.... Just tell me he's around!
Timari: Sorry, he just left.
Manami: Where to?
Timari: Don't know.
Manami: Great! Now I completely lost his track!
Timari: What's going on? Why are you looking for him?
Manami: Ummm... y'know...I was just....
Timari: Never mind I need to go. Best of luck in finding him......
Manami: Thanks...
Timari goes away.
Fifteen minutes later.....
Manami is walking through the busy streets of konoha.
Manami: Where... is he?.. Why can't I find him?....
Just Just then her eyes fall on the red head she was looking for.
Manami: It's.... Gaara!.... Gaara-kun! Wait!
She runs behind him. He turns across the corner. She does the same.
They end up in an empty street.
Gaara was still walking.
Manami runs behind him but stops in mid way.
Manami: Gaara! Stop right now! Do you know how much trouble you've caused me?! ....... For heaven's sake look at me!!!
Gaara stops and turns to look at her.
Manami was breathing fast. Her fever was high.
Gaara: Manami....
Manami: What.... is wrong with you?!! Why are you running away from me?!! I've been looking for you everywhere! Why are you doing this?! Yesterday you told me that you love me and now you're not even talking to me!!!!! If you think you can get away with this ..... then you're so very wrong Mr!!!! Answer me!!
Gaara: I'm....sorry... I know I've hurt you... I'm sorry for what I did.... even after you told me that you like someone else.... I know you're trying to keep our friendship.... A friend.. That's what I was to you but I .....
Manami: What are you talking about?
Gaara: You're kind... but I don't think you have to talk to me anymore.... I know I hurt you and I'm sorry....Good bye..
Gaara turns and starts walking again.
Manami:.....
Manami's thoughts: Say something! Why am I not saying anything? Gaara! Stop!.... Manami, say something, anything!! Stop him! It's now or never! Do it!!!!
Manami: I... I LOVE YOU TOO Y'KNOW!!!!!!! (Shouts out)
Gaara stops in his tracks.
Manami: I love you! I always have.... I know I told you that I like someone but I never said it wasn't you! What were you thinking?! Why did you think that I'd fall for someone else?! I mean... is there anyone closer to me than you?!
Gaara's thoughts: It was me all along....
Manami's thoughts: I said it!
Gaara hurriedly turns around, runs towards her and HUGS HER TIGHT.
Gaara's thoughts: I.... I'm so glad... We feel the same way...
Gaara: Manami....
Manami: ......
Gaara looks at her and realizes that she fell unconscious because of her fever.
He looks at her face slightly smiling.
Gaara: Sorry for troubling you so much. but... you always surprise me in your own ways....
He picks her up.
.............................
Knock Knock...
Gaara carried her all the way to her apartment.
Sakura opens the door.
Sakura: Manami, you're finally back I...! (Surprised to see Gaara carrying her)
Gaara: She fainted.
Sakura: Oh... um... come, lay her on her bed.
Gaara puts her in her bed.
Gaara: She has a fever... will she be okay?
Sakura: Yeah... She just needs some rest. I'll give her some medicine though.
Gaara: Okay then... take care of her....
Sakura: Of course I will.
( Hinata and Tenten went home ,if you're wondering)
Gaara looks at Manami one last time before leaving.
After he's gone, Sakura sits beside her.
Sakura: I guess you did it.....