• 1-The Accident
• 2-Chaos
• 3-Enlightenment
• 4-Moonlight Kisses
• 5-Stolen Afternoon
• 6-Complications
• 7-The Trouble In Sunagakure
• 8-Kazekage's Ails
• 9-Midnight Interlude
• 10-Harsh Light of Day
• 11-Progression/Regression
• 12-Returning Home
• 13-Coming to Terms
• 14-Solutions and Problems
• 15-Stress and Tension
• 16-Into the Fire
• 17-Actions Speak Louder than Words
• 18-Truth and Consequences
• 19-Passive Aggressive
• 20-Konoha On Fire
• 21-All for One
• 22-Aftermath
• 23-Comfort
• 24-Necessary Clarification
• 25-Rays of Hope
• 26-Preparation
• 27-Honesty
• 28-Rumination
• 29-Resolutions

Neji slipped his shoes off and walked into his home to find Hinata preparing breakfast. “Neji-san!” she said happily upon seeing him. He dropped his bag on the floor and hugged her close.

“How is he?”

Hinata nodded, as Neji released her. She went back to scrambling an egg. “He’s fine. Resting right now. Hokage-sama just let him come home last night. I’m preparing a light breakfast so that he can take some medication. She was able to heal most of the damage, but he’s still very sore.”

“Does he remember what happened?”

“He’s not talking about it,” Hinata said, dropping her eyes. Neji understood that to mean Hiashi wasn’t telling her about it.

“I see.”

“He’ll be pleased you’re home.”

“And Hanabi-sama?”

“She’s already at academy.” She put the egg into a bowl of rice and mixed it all together with a dash of salt. “You look tired, nii-san.”

“I am,” he smiled at her. “Anxious to get some sleep. I have a follow up meeting with Hokage-sama this afternoon, and I want to be at my best.”

“Would you like something to eat first?”

“No, I’m fine. Tell Uncle I’ll be in to see him shortly.”

“Of course.” Hinata placed the bowl on a tray already set with toast and juice. She picked it up and walked past Neji, kissing him on the cheek as she went. “I’m glad you’re home.”

* * * * *

“Sakura-chan?”

Sakura could hear someone calling her from far away. She tried to identify the owner of the voice, but her head felt heavy.

“Sakura-chan?”

She struggled to open her heavy eyelids. Flashes of light crept past her eyelashes.

“Sakura-chan!”

“Naruto?” she said slowly, forcing her eyes open all the way. She found herself in her bed in her room, Naruto sitting on the bed next to her.

“Sakura-chan! You’re awake!” he said, relieved.

Sakura looked around the room then stared back at him, struggling to sit up. “Naruto, what happened?”

“You fainted.”

“Exhaustion,” Sakura replied. It made sense. “I was so tired from traveling all night long with Neji, and we were attacked last night, so my chakra reserves were depleted. I guess I was more tired than I realized. How long have I been out?”

“A few hours. I figured you needed the rest. Here,” he said, handing her a glass of water.

“Thank you.” She pulled the blankets off her body, sitting up completely before taking the glass and drinking down the entire contents.

Without a word, Naruto grabbed her, pulling her close to him. Suddenly Sakura just burst into tears. “Oh Naruto, I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve missed you so much!”

“I’ve missed you too, Sakura-chan,” he replied, squeezing her tightly. “There’s a lot to talk about.”

“I know,” she smiled, pulling away to face him and wiping her tears away. “Well first of all, Gaara sends his regards.”

“I take it you fixed his ass?” he laughed.

“Yes. He’s doing fine. But Naruto… I have something to tell you,” she said, unable to contain a huge grin.

“What’s that?”

“Neji and I…” she began, biting her lip, suddenly feeling shy and unsure of how to continue. “Well, right before the mission… um… it was like… oh hell, Neji and I are together!”

Naruto’s smile seemed to falter for a fraction of an instant, but Sakura caught it. “What is it, Naruto?”

“You and Neji, huh? That’s great,” he said, forcing a smile.

“Naruto…” Sakura said, crestfallen, “I thought you would be happy for me.”

“Sakura-chan, I think it’s great,” he said, that plastered fake grin contradicting his words.

“Naruto, what is it?” she demanded, suddenly feeling very angry. “I know you well enough to know when you’re lying to me.”

“You don’t remember, do you?”

“Remember what? Naruto, what are you talking about?”

“Sakura-chan,” he said, taking a deep breath, holding her hand tightly in his, “Sasuke is back.”

“What?” she exclaimed, utterly shocked.

“That’s what made you faint, I’m pretty sure anyway. He showed up at my place and said you looked pretty beat and fainted at the sight of him. He wanted me to be here when you woke up so you wouldn’t go into shock again.”

Sakura’s mind raced, thoughts running through a mile a minute. ‘Sasuke here? Back? When? Under what circumstances? Sasuke-kun?’ Her eyes darted around the room as though searching for answers to her questions before she turned back to Naruto, her mind just stalling and going blank. “No,” she replied.

“No? Sakura-chan?”

“No, I… this… Sasuke… just… no.”

The dark figure appeared in her doorway. “You’re awake.”

Sakura’s eyes locked on his. He looked older, though not tremendously so. His bangs still fell lightly around his eyes. His cheeks and face looked more defined and chiseled, but still definitely Uchiha. He was broader across the chest, and definitely taller. He stood dressed in all black, the traditional Uchiha cowl necked shirt, no doubt with his family crest on the back, and long pants. A hitai-ate was noticeably absent from his forehead. Her eyes met his once more. “Sasuke.”

Sasuke’s own eyes did an inspection of Sakura, who blushed as his eyes swept over her. She was by no means in her best form, and this was not how she imagined reuniting with him.

“Sakura,” he said finally, after long moments of staring at her. Nothing more.

Sakura continued to stare at Sasuke, unable to pull her eyes away from him, until she felt a squeeze of her hand. She turned back to Naruto, as though he pulled her from a bad dream, grateful to see his familiar blue eyes that always comforted her and gave her strength. “Are you okay, Sakura-chan?”

“I’m… um…” she looked from Naruto to Sasuke and back. “I have to go.”

“What? Sakura-chan?” Naruto asked, confused.

She replied, her eyes still locked on Sasuke, “I have a meeting with Shishou,” her eyes swung back to Naruto, “and I don’t want to be late. I’ll talk to you, both, later.”

“I’ll walk you there,” Naruto offered, jumping up.

She stood up and grabbed her leg guards, draped over a chair, snapping them around her legs. “No, I’m fine. I don’t know how long it will take. I’ll find you later.” She casually brushed past Sasuke as she walked out of her room towards the front door.

“Sakura,” Sasuke said, appearing behind her as she slipped her shoes on. He held a hand out to her, about to grab her and stop her, but she pulled away before he made contact.

“I’ll see you later,” she said, avoiding his eyes, “Sasuke.” Then she walked out.

* * * * *

“Interesting,” Tsunade said, sighing and leaning back into her chair.

Neji continued, “I have a suspicion that all of these attacks are connected, but there’s no evidence to link any of it.”

“And Gaara doesn’t seem to share that view,” she stated.

He shook his head. “His concern is for Suna, as well it should be, but I believe it’s keeping him from seeing the bigger picture.”

Tsunade leaned forward, her elbows on her desk. “What makes you think the attack on the cell escorting the daimyo and the Sand attacks are related?”

Neji did not appreciate the Hokage playing devil’s advocate in the matter. “There are a number of reasons. The first is that all of the attacks on Sand have been well calculated ambushes. This was the same sort of attack on the daimyo’s escort. Secondly, my information tells me that the daimyo was traveling with a chuunin cell for no other reason than valuables he was traveling with. My uncle’s involvement was that of a friend and business associate, not as a jounin doing any sort of escort.

“If the only reason the daimyo required escort was for protection from bandits and thieves, why would they be attacked by shinobi? And why would two Leaf shinobi be killed, two more seriously injured, and the daimyo left with little more than a few scratches, a broken bone, and every single cent he left with? Thirdly, Kiba was attacked on the way home from Sand. He was attacked in Fire Country, not Wind. The common thread linking everything together was the layout of the attacks. Totally blindsided, ambushed by at least three or more, and no shinobi was intentionally left alive.”

Tsunade sighed again. Neji had already spoken with Hiashi to get the facts of that particular incident. Given Neji’s insight, she had little reason to doubt him. The fact was that she agreed with him on all counts, and had already spoken with Nara Shikamaru regarding everything.

“The immediate concern right now is for Suna,” she said, holding up the scroll Gaara had written her. “Gaara’s right that they will probably need reinforcements and soon. Now I agree with you, Neji, that all of these attacks are related, but until we know how and more importantly who is behind it all, our hands are tied.”

Neji nodded. ‘Still stuck right where we were,’ he thought bitterly.

A knock at the door interrupted them.

“Yes?” Tsunade said.

Sakura stepped in, “Shishou,” she said. She glanced at Neji but said nothing.

“Ah, good, Sakura, have a seat,” she said.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sakura asked quietly, staring her mentor in the eyes.

“Tell you what?” Tsunade asked, her eyes revealing she already knew.

“Sasuke,” Sakura replied, struggling to keep the anger out of her voice. Neji spun and stared at Sakura. She continued, “This morning, when we got back, why didn’t you tell me about Sasuke?”

“What about Sasuke?” Neji interjected.

Tsunade sighed. “You were exhausted. You needed rest. I was planning on telling you this afternoon.” She took note of Neji’s shocked expression and Sakura’s angry one. “Who told you?”

“Sasuke showed up at my apartment after I left here this morning. Kind of gave it away.”

“Uchiha Sasuke is back?” Neji asked, incredulous.

“Yes, he is,” Tsunade said, stating the matter a fact. She met Sakura’s intense gaze once more. “I am sorry you found out like that.”

Sakura shook her head. “Have you reviewed what I left with you?”

“Sakura, I really think that-”

“We should get down to business,” Sakura said, cutting Tsunade off completely. “There are important matters to tend to.”

“Alright then,” Tsunade said, taking note of the surprised look on Neji’s face and the cold mask Sakura had in place. “Neji, if you’ll excuse us then.”

“Certainly,” Neji replied, casting a glance at Sakura who did not look back.

* * * * *

‘Uchiha Sasuke, back…’ the thought repeated in Neji’s mind. He walked through the streets of Konoha, deep in thought. ‘Why? For what reason?’ His mind replayed the look on Sakura’s face when she walked in, when she asked. She was so hurt, so pained. ‘She looked right through me. She didn’t even see me…’

“Of course, why would she see me? She must be so confused,” Neji whispered to his reflection. ‘About her feelings for me?’ asked a darker corner of his mind, ‘Where do I stand?’

Neji shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. Konoha was bracing for a possible war. Sunagakure could be under attack at the very moment. He had no business worrying about his own personal issues.

Yet Sakura’s eyes looked so sad, so haunted. Now that Sasuke was back, Sasuke whom she loved for so many years, would he lose her?

* * * * *

It had taken her all afternoon and well into the evening speaking with Tsunade about Gaara and the jutsus. It was after nightfall by the time she managed to get to the hospital.

"Ino!" Sakura said, rushing into the room. Ino sat propped up in the bed, looking bored and restless. At the sound of her name, she suddenly animated.

"Sakura! Oh thank God you're here!" she cried happily. Sakura rushed over to her friend, about to throw her arms around her, then thought better of it. "Oh, I'm not going to break! Come here!" Ino held her arms out for Sakura, who rushed into them.

"God, Ino, I was so worried! How are you?"

"Good. Tsunade-sama said I should be able to go home as early as tomorrow."

"How bad was it?" Sakura asked, sitting down on the bed next to her. "And don't lie to me."

Ino nodded, "It was bad Sakura. Those two rookie chuunin... slaughtered before I could even get to them. Hyuuga-sama shoved me out of the way and used kaiten, giving me just enough time to use the shintenshin on one of them. Just after I executed the jutsu, I was hit with a rain of shuriken. Hyuuga-sama tried to deflect it, but a few got through, cutting me up pretty badly. Hyuuga-sama himself got injured, although I'm not sure how. I blacked out before that. Next thing I knew, I woke up in here, Tsunade-sama telling me I was lucky to be alive. And Shikamaru giving me the yelling at of my life."

"Were they after anything in particular, do you know?" Sakura asked gently.

"I don't think so," Ino shook her head, "I mean, I could be wrong, but... this might sound strange, Sakura, but I think they were after us. Ninja, I mean. They didn't even so much as look at the daimyo. But why would shinobi just randomly attack other shinobi from different villages? It makes no sense."

Sakura's jaw clenched. It made perfect sense, given what she'd encountered in Suna. She couldn't tell Ino that though. Her expression softened. "You're honestly okay though, right?"

"Almost good as new," Ino smiled brightly. "I'll be back to kicking your ass in no time. Speaking of which, I've already one-upped you on one front."

"Which front might that be, Ino-pig?" Sakura goaded.

"I... have a boyfriend!"

"Really? And who is the unlucky bastard?"

"Troublesome is more the word, Sakura," Ino said with a smile.

"Shikamaru?" Sakura beamed. "When did this happen?"

"Well, like I said, I got the yelling at of my life. I’ve never seen him so upset about anything. Not even when Neji and Chouji nearly died that time. I was told that while I was unconscious, he was distraught, yelling, demanding to know what was going on. When I came to, he screamed at me for an hour, going on about how dare I do this to him, I could have died, he was devastated… I got sick of getting yelled at so I yelled back that it wasn’t my fault, that I had no control over the situation and that he ought to shut the hell up and quit nagging me. Then he kissed me." Ino shook her head. “Honestly, Sakura, I was shocked. He held me and told me that I annoy him more than anyone he’s ever known in his life, but that he simply can’t live without me.”

Sakura grinned. "I think that's excellent, Ino-chan! I'm really happy for you. Not surprised, honestly. I always had a feeling about you guys…" Sakura said genuinely. "Although you haven't one-upped me."

"You're seeing someone!?"

Sakura grinned, "And technically, before you."

"Who!? And when?"

"Hyuuga Neji. It was right before we left for Sunagakure."

"Oh my GOD!" Ino screeched.

"Ino, quiet down!" Sakura chided.

"You landed yourself Hyuuga Neji! Of all the incredible men in all of Konoha, you're dating Neji! Oooh, I'm so jealous!"

"Why?" Sakura asked, incredulous. "You have Shikamaru! And you’ve loved him forever. "

"I know," Ino pouted, then smiled brilliantly. "And I've never been happier. You're happy too, right? Really happy?" Sakura nodded, unable to contain her beaming smile. "If he hurts you, I kill him."

"Same goes to Shikamaru," Sakura said.

"Oh, he won't, I'm sure of it," Ino said, a yawn escaping her.

"I should let you get some rest. Especially if you're going home tomorrow," Sakura said, standing up.

"I'm glad you're back," Ino smiled, "I've really missed you, and I couldn't wait to tell you about us."

"I'm glad I'm back too. And I'm thrilled about you two. Get some rest. I'll come get you tomorrow to take you home if you want."

"That would be great."

Sakura leaned down and pulled Ino into a hug. "I love you."

"I love you too." Sakura let go and made her way to the door. "Say hi to Ne-ji!"

"Ino!" Sakura grinned, waving her away as she walked out the door.

She walked down the corridor toward the front desk. "Yuni, thanks for letting me slip in past hours. I didn't get a chance to earlier and-"

"Oh, Sakura-san, you know those rules don't apply to you!" the nurse replied emphatically. "Besides," she lowered her voice to a whisper, "Yamanaka-san's a real pain, and you seem to calm her down."

Sakura couldn't contain a giggle. "Well thank you nonetheless, Yuni." She started back down the hall.

"Oh, wait, Sakura-san! There's someone waiting for you in the waiting room at the end of the hall," Yuni called. "I almost forgot to tell you."

"Okay," Sakura replied, puzzled, "thank you." She turned to go down the hall in the opposite direction towards the darkened waiting room. 'Why is it so dark? If someone is here, why wouldn't they put a light on?' "Um... hello?"

She felt the presence behind her immediately. "Sakura," said a deep, masculine voice. She spun around to see sharingan eyes glowing in the darkness.

"Sasuke," Sakura said, looking up at him, her expression one of surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk."

"Now is not the time," Sakura replied, turning on her heel and walking away.

Sasuke was next to her immediately. "You can't keep avoiding me, Sakura."

"I'm not avoiding you, Sasuke," Sakura replied, keeping her voice calm. "I just returned from a very long mission and I've been catching up with my friends, one of whom was badly injured on a mission of her own. You'll have to forgive me if my 'home again' routine does not include you."

A pained expression flickered over his usually stoic features and then just as instantly disappeared. The look was not lost on Sakura. She felt a stab of guilt but brushed it aside.

"You're right," Sasuke conceded. "I should not have presumed you would make me a priority."

The comment hit Sakura like one of her own chakra infused hits to the gut. Guilt flooded her. Sasuke was still her teammate, still her friend, and she still loved him. She had no right to treat him this way, to ignore him, to make him feel unimportant to her when he was. He was so important.

She fought back her tears, not wanting to appear weak in front of him again. Not now, after all these years, when she'd trained so hard and learned to become strong.

She could not stop herself, however, from throwing her arms around him. "I'm sorry, Sasuke! I'm so sorry!" she cried. She was shocked to feel Sasuke's arms wrap around her and hold her close to him. It was the first time he ever initiated such a gesture.

‘Wait? How did I just get manipulated into feeling bad and apologizing?’ Inner Sakura demanded, ‘He’s the one who left and betrayed me, so why am I apologizing?’

"Sakura..." his soft voice rang in her ears, his breath hot on her cheek, "can we talk? Somewhere private?"

"Yes," she nodded, tuning Inner Sakura completely out, pulling away. "Where-"

He said nothing, simply led her down the stairs and outside the hospital.

They continued walking through the village in silence, Sakura stealing glances at his profile as they walked. He really hadn't changed that much. His hair was still the same, his fair complexion, his eyes still haunting, black and breathtaking. In the time since he'd been gone, he'd only grown more beautiful, if that were even possible.

Sasuke stopped. Sakura took in her surroundings. They stood on the red bridge. Sakura's eyes immediately went to the railing, repaired and repainted, the mismatched color obvious, even in the moonlight. She smiled to herself, remembering that night, her first kiss, with Neji.

"What?"

Sasuke's voice pulled Sakura out of her reverie. She stood here, for the first time since that night, with a man other than Neji. With the man, in fact, that she loved for years and was destroyed by. She suddenly questioned her judgment in coming here with Sasuke tonight. "Nothing," she said with a shake of her head.

Sasuke studied her. Her pink hair, still short, obscured her profile as she looked out into the water. Her hands lightly gripped the railing, a portion that looked newer than the rest and the paint mismatched. She was older. Her pretty face had lost its roundness, her body filled out. She was slim, lithe, with a small swell of breasts and a round rump defined by her fitted shirt and the shorts and short skirt she wore. She'd become a woman.

He was most taken with her expression, partially hidden behind the curtain of pink. "Tell me."

"It's private," she replied, turning to face him. She supposed that years ago, being his teammate, she could read him better than most, although his usually stoic expression never showed any emotions other than anger or irritation. She guessed she had some insight into him then, although admittedly never felt she could read him at all. Now
after years of not seeing him, not knowing where he was, what had happened to him, she had no idea what to expect, or how to handle his behavior now.

"I see."

'Simple words that make no sense at all,' Sakura thought, confused. 'I don't know him anymore.'

"You said you wanted to talk," she started, hoping to get to the point of why they were out there. She realized she probably sounded harsh, so made a point to say more softly, “I'm here, and I'm listening."

"Hn." Sasuke held her gaze for long moments before looking away again.

"Sasuke?"

"I'm sorry," he said so quietly it was almost inaudible. Sakura blinked. "I'm sorry," he repeated, his obsidian eyes met hers, “for hurting you."

Sakura's green eyes widened. This was the last thing she ever expected to hear from Uchiha Sasuke. "I... um..." she faltered, unsure of what to say. She looked back to the stream, blinking, as though the running water could give her an answer. "I..." her eyes met his once more, "thank you... Sasuke."

Her hand reached out to his, giving him a gentle squeeze before pulling away again. "Hn."

She stared at him, seeing how he artfully removed the mask for one brief moment of sincerity before replacing it once more. “Naruto and I really have missed you, you know," she said. It was simpler than saying that they didn't go a single day without thinking about him, worrying about him, dreaming of getting him back.

'Was it this awkward for Naruto?' she wondered. The obvious answer was no. It wasn't. Naruto would forgive anyone anything, especially Sasuke. And Naruto was never in love with him. 'Was I ever?' she had to wonder.

"Yes,” he replied.

"What?" she asked, jumping, irrationally fearing that he learned to read her inner thoughts and was replying to her own posed question.

"I know that you missed me," Sasuke explained.

"Right. I did," she said, correcting, "we, we did." There was another moment of awkward silence, the two staring at one another. "Sasuke, why did you come back?"

Sasuke said nothing, turning his head away, looking down into the water.

"I see," she replied softly. She sighed. "It's getting late. I should head home."

He turned and started walking away. Sakura's brow furrowed, puzzled. When he realized she hadn't moved, he turned around and said, "Come on."

"Sasuke?"

"I'm walking you home. Let's go." He began walking again. She jogged a few paces to catch up to him.

'Sasuke... home,' her inner self mused. 'Why is he here? What secrets is he keeping?' She was so utterly lost in her thoughts, she took no notice of Sasuke's eyes on her as they walked through the empty streets. She frowned. 'What about everything in Suna? Is Sasuke's return related?'

"What is it?"

"Pardon?" she asked, pulled once more out of her thoughts.

"You look upset," he said, noting her expression.

The comment caught Sakura completely off guard. "No," she shook her head, "just thinking.”

“Hn.”

Stealing a glance at him, she saw his expression was aloof, but his eyes curious. It unnerved her.

They climbed the stairs to her apartment in silence. “Sasuke,” she said, turning to face him, trying to articulate her thoughts, “I really am glad you’re home. I’m sorry if I didn’t make that more apparent. And I didn’t mean to push you away earlier, it’s just that I-”

“Sakura, it’s fine,” he interrupted. “I understand.”

“You know,” she laughed sardonically, “millions of times I’ve dreamed of you coming back, but I never imagined it would be this awkward.” Sasuke’s lips curled into a small smirk. “Of course so much has changed, it’s really no wonder…”

“You’ve grown up.” Sasuke’s dark eyes locked with hers. Sakura’s breath caught with his look. She could feel her heartbeat quicken with his intense gaze.

“So have you,” she whispered. His beautiful black eyes held her captive. He stared at her now, after all this time, in a way she’d only dreamed he would before, as though she were the only thing in his world. ‘God, he’s so beautiful,’ she thought desperately.

Footsteps pounding up the stairs broke the moment. Sakura turned away, looking through her pouch. “Damn it,” she muttered.

“Sakura-chan!” she heard Naruto call. She looked over to see the boisterous ninja heading towards her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Oh, hi Sasuke,” he acknowledged, mildly surprised, before turning back to Sakura, “I have your key. You left this morning without it.”

“Oh.” She smiled sheepishly, glancing over to see Sasuke’s indifferent expression before unlocking the door.

“So…” Naruto said, staring at both of them as though looking for an explanation.

“Would you like to come in?” she asked them both.

“I must decline,” Sasuke said. “I have some things I need to attend to.”

“I see,” Sakura replied, trying to hide her disappointment. “Well, thank you, for everything. I’m sure we can talk more… when you’re ready.”

“Hn,” he nodded. He cast a glance at Naruto, looked one last time at Sakura then proceeded down the stairs.

~~~~

A/N: I apologize for it taking so long to get this chapter out!!! I was waiting until all the AFF technical difficulties stopped and then got sidetracked with some other projects. I hope you’ll all forgive me and that you enjoy this chapter. As always, leave love! ~Lils