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Forgetting Sasuke	By : CutieSakura Category: Naruto > General Views: 1229 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Disclaimer: �Mine.� ~Lily
�Now, now Lily, how many times do we have to go over this. The pathological lying has got to stop.� ~Lily�s shrink

A/N: Thanks again for all the great reviews! I�ve been on a total kick lately, and this story is consuming me in the best way possible for a writer, so thanks again for helping to feed my inspiration!
~~~~~
�Sakura-chan, are you okay?� Naruto asked as he closed the door behind him. Sakura, a step ahead of him, turned on the lights.
�I�m fine, Naruto,� she replied, walking into the kitchen. �Tea?�
�No, but� we need to talk.�
�Naruto, really, it�s fine.�
�Sakura-chan, please.� All it took was seeing the sad expression on his face for her to pull up on the couch next to him.
�I wanted to tell you,� Naruto started. �I wanted to tell you more than anything, I begged Tsunade-baa-chan to let me send you a message. I even offered to go to Suna myself, in person, just so you would know, but she refused, said that your situation was too dangerous and couldn�t be compromised by something so trivial. She said a message might be intercepted, and she doesn�t want anyone outside the village to know he�s here, so� Sakura-chan, I�m so sorry!� he said desperately, needing her to understand, needing her forgiveness.
�It�s okay, Naruto. It wasn�t your fault. I don�t blame you at all. I admit, I was upset at first, and honestly it took me all day to calm down. Sasuke found me at the hospital and we talked for a little while and things are� well� oh, Naruto� I just� I don�t even know what to think, or how I should be feeling� I just feel so� lost.�
Naruto scooped her into his arms, holding her close to him, stroking her hair. He was aware of the tears dampening his shirt, but said nothing, just pulled her tighter. �Are you� okay� Sakura-chan?�
�What with everything, and now Sasuke�� she pulled back and met Naruto�s eyes. �Oh, God� Naruto, I�m so selfish! How are you?� She sat up straight, looking at him intently. �How has this been on you?�
Naruto smiled. �Sakura-chan, you always worry about others and never about yourself. I know this is difficult for you. I�m here for you.�
Sakura�s eyes narrowed. �Naruto, I know you care, but I care about you too. And I want to know what happened and how you are handling everything. If you don�t want to talk about it, I understand, but don�t make this about me. I�m more concerned about you.�
�Well I�m more concerned about you,� he laughed, pulling her into a hug. She slugged his chest. �Ow! Sakura-chan!�
She hugged him back, feeling calmer, reassured being in his strong embrace. �Really Naruto, are you okay?�
Naruto�s bright blue eyes met hers. �Sakura-chan, it was� well, Tsunade-baa-chan was the one who told me. Sasuke and I talked later. It was, well, awkward at first. But I have to admit it, Sakura-chan, I�m really happy to have him back.�
�Didn�t you guys talk? About what happened?�
�No,� Naruto admitted. �There was no reason to. I understand. And I forgave him a long time ago. He really is sorry. I know that. He admitted such. He�s still my best friend. Well, aside from you.�
Sakura smiled. He didn�t even have to comment on their bond. She knew how much she meant to him, same as he meant to her. She laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him. �So really, Sakura-chan, I�m worried about you.�
�What�s to say?� she asked sadly. �Sasuke�s back. I have no idea why. I have no idea how this is going to impact me, or us, or anyone else.�
�Are you happy he�s back?� Naruto asked gently.
�Yes�� Sakura sighed deeply before continuing, �no� I�m not sure. I mean he�s my friend, my teammate, and I love him, so of course I�m glad he�s back, and he�s safe. But��
�But it�s only been since Neji�s entered your life that you started to get over your feelings for him and now he�s suddenly reappeared,� Naruto finished for her. She nodded. �So how serious are things with Neji?�
�Naruto,� Sakura said, pulling back slightly to look him in the eyes, �I think I�m really falling for him.�
Naruto smiled knowingly, but then turned serious. �And how do you feel about Sasuke?�
�I don�t know, Naruto. I mean I still care about him a great deal, and being with him tonight� he was� well, it was different. He was different. And I felt like he was looking at me differently,� she admitted. �God, Naruto, I have no idea.�
�Sakura-chan,� Naruto started, �I know you�ve always loved Sasuke. I never expected that to change. It�s just that with things as they are now�� he stopped, clearly aggravated with himself at his inability to articulate his thoughts.
�What is it, Naruto?� she asked.
�Neji. You love him. You know you love him. You aren�t sure what exactly you feel for Sasuke, and there�s no reason to think he would care even if you did still have those feelings for him. Don�t ruin what you have with Neji just because Sasuke�s back.�
She smiled. �You see things very clearly, Naruto.� He beamed. �It�s rare,� she added, watching his jaw drop, �but you have your moments.�
�Sakura-chan!� He scooped her into another bear hug.
A knock at the door interrupted their fun. �Just a-� Sakura started when Naruto cut her off with a loud �Come in!�
�Neji!� Naruto cried out happily as Neji walked in.
Sakura was off the sofa and throwing herself into his arms. �Neji-kun,� she said, her head on his shoulder, her breath hot against his neck. Neji instinctively wrapped his arms around her. �Neji-kun� I�m so sorry I didn�t find you sooner. I was in that meeting all afternoon, and had to see Ino and then� well, I needed to talk to Naruto about-�
�Sakura,� Neji interrupted her, �it�s alright. I understand.� She looked up at him, searching his eyes for the truth she hoped would be there. He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. �This doesn�t affect us.�
She smiled, going up on her toes to reach his lips and kiss him. He squeezed her to him once more.
The moment was ended by Naruto. �You two look all adorable together!�
Neji glanced at the blonde ninja, who sat with a Cheshire grin on his face. He fought down the tiny blush that threatened to creep into his cheeks. It was, after all, the first time anyone had ever seen him be affectionate with, let alone kiss, anyone.
�Naruto!� Sakura said menacingly. �Don�t go harassing us. Just look at you and Hinata-chan.�
Naruto grinned, his hand reaching up to the back of his head. �Yeah, well�� he laughed. �Oh, I�ve got to go! I promised I�d meet Hinata-chan this afternoon. I�m late!�
Sakura rolled her eyes as Naruto dashed past, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and punching Neji�s arm before running out the door. �Bye, Naruto-kun!�
Neji led Sakura back to the sofa where they both sat down. �How are you really?� he asked.
Sakura nodded, �I�m okay. What about you?�
Neji raised his eyebrows. �For what reason would I be affected by Uchiha?�
Sakura stared straight into Neji�s eyes. �That�s not what I meant. I� never mind.�
�No, what did you mean?�
�I just meant how are you? I�m sure it�s been a long day for you as well. That�s all,� she finished lamely, looking away.
Neji�s face softened. His fingers grazed her chin, pulling her gaze back to him. �I apologize. I should not have reacted that way. I�m fine. My uncle is doing much better, which is quite a relief. I discussed all our information with Hokage-sama this afternoon, right before you arrived, and the meeting went well. She�s bringing Shikamaru and me both in for another meeting with the counsel to discuss options.�
�I see,� Sakura replied, turning away. �Would you like anything?� she asked over her shoulder as she headed toward the kitchen.
�No, thank you.� He sat down on the sofa. �This doesn�t feel right,� he thought to himself, �this is strained. Why? What happened since this afternoon?� That usually quiet voice in the recesses of his mind answered him, �You happened. She was fine until you snapped at her.�
Neji watched Sakura take a seat on the chair across from him, a glass of water in her hand. �So this meeting is basically about planning a strategy for war?�
�Yes.�
�Have you seen Kiba?�
Neji seemed caught off guard by the question. He shook his head, �No. Have you?�
�Not yet. I�m planning on going in the morning, before I meet Ino. She�s being released from the hospital and I promised I�d take her home and get her settled.� He studied her as she lifted the glass to her lips and drank.
�Sakura�� Neji said quietly, �are you sure you�re alright?�
�Of course,� she replied, a smile suddenly spreading across her face. �What makes you think otherwise?�
�You seem quiet.�
�Do I?� she seemed genuinely surprised. �I�m sorry. I guess I have a lot on my mind, and I still haven�t gotten any sleep since we�ve been home.�
�Let�s get you to bed,� Neji said, standing up and holding out his hand to her. She took it and stood. He led her down the hall to her room where she flipped on the light and pulled a nightdress out of a drawer.
Changed, she slipped in between the sheets, reminded of the first time she did this with him in her room. She smiled. Neji sat on the edge of the bed, leaned down and kissed her gently, then began to stand again.
�Neji-kun?� she said, realizing he was about to leave.
�Yes?�
�Stay.�
�You need rest,� he replied.
�Please stay with me. Just hold me tonight. Please.� He heard the plea in her voice, could see the desperation in her eyes. �Please.�
�Sakura�� he whispered, swinging his legs onto the bed, laying back and taking her into his arms. She clung to him fiercely as tears sprang free.
She broke down, crying in his arms. �He�s home� he�s alive� after all this time��
Sakura�s cries cut through Neji�s heart like a kunai, yet he held her to him, letting her release all the pain she�d kept inside for so long, and wondering how long it would be before he would have to release pain of his own.
* * * * *
Sakura awoke with a start. Her eyes scanned the room, realizing it was her own. Steady breathing alerted her to the presence of another person. Neji. She turned to her side; the clock read 4:46 am.
She stood slowly after pulling the blanket down, taking care not to wake Neji. Finding her way through the darkness into the kitchen, she grabbed a bottle of water, taking large gulps. She sat down at the table and stared out the window to the murky gray horizon. �Rain,� Sakura thought silently.
Her mind flitted back to the night before, the conversation with Sasuke. Things were different. He was different. Everything he said and everything he did was so out of character for him. This new Sasuke was even more of an enigma now than before. It was puzzling, and troubling.
As the sky grew lighter, rain did indeed start to fall. Sakura sighed and decided to go back to bed.
* * * * *
�Why is Uchiha Sasuke here?�
Tsunade studied Neji�s expression, trying to seek out an answer as to why the return of the Uchiha would concern him at all. His expression, however, was unreadable.
�That information is classified,� she replied simply, her eyebrow rising as she noticed Neji�s face twitch ever so slightly and then harden. �Why do you want to know?�
�I don�t trust him.� Neji continue to stare down the Hokage. Tsunade clearly was not going to give. He took a deep breath. �Is he a threat?�
�To whom?� Tsunade asked.
�Konoha.�
�No.� Tsunade watched him burn with silent anger. He would not be so concerned about Sasuke�s return unless he had an ulterior reason for it. She eyed the young shinobi with interest.
Neji fought back the urge to say more. He was not going to get any information from the Hokage.
A knock on the door broke the tension. Nara Shikamaru stepped in. �I�m not late, am I?�
�Not at all. Right on time, actually,� Tsunade replied. She motioned for him, and Neji as well, to take a seat. Both men complied. �Alright, the order of business today is��
* * * * *
�Morning sunshine!� Sakura said cheerfully as she stepped into Ino�s hospital room.
�Sakura�� Ino groaned, rolling over in the bed. Sakura swept in, throwing the curtains open. �Hey!� Ino cried as light, dim though it was, suddenly flooded the room.
�Time to wake up. If you want to get out of here, that is,� Sakura said with a smile.
Ino sat up, looking directly at her. �Really?�
�Got the okay from Shizune myself. So get your ass out of bed and get dressed!�
Ino suppressed a yawn before standing up and stretching. Sakura pulled Ino�s clothes out of the hospital wardrobe, tossing the garments on the bed. �So what�s on the agenda for today then?� Ino asked, changing quickly.
�Home. Taking it easy. That�s your agenda,� Sakura replied, gathering up a few of Ino�s things scattered about the room.
�Sakura! You�re as bad as the hospital staff!� Ino exclaimed.
�And I�ll be a lot worse if you don�t take it easy for the next few days. If you fight me on this, you�re going to end up back here and as you know, Tsunade and Shizune both are a lot less tolerant than I am.� Ino muttered something under her breath that Sakura chose to ignore.
Sakura pulled the release forms off the chart on the front door, bringing them in. �All you�ve got to do is sign these, and then we�ll be on our way.�
�Excellent!� Ino replied, scrawling her signature. Sakura did likewise as an attending medic, grabbed the bag now full of Ino�s things and the two girls left.
* * * * *
�Will the Kazekage go for that?� Shikamaru asked.
�With the position he�s in right now, he doesn�t have too much choice,� Tsunade replied simply. �This is all we�ve got.�
�Gaara is stubborn,� Neji interjected, �but not unreasonable. Given the situation as it stands, I can�t see any reason he would object.�
Shikamaru nodded in acceptance. �Well then, I guess we�ll need to assemble a team to-�
The door of the Hokage�s office burst open. �Hokage-sama! You�re needed urgently!� a young chuunin exclaimed.
�What�s happened?� Tsunade demanded, standing.
�An attack! There are only three survivors. I don�t know their damage, I was sent to get you immediately.�
Tsunade nodded. �Shikamaru, find Sakura and send her to the hospital immediately. Neji, come with me.�
Neji and Tsunade flew out the door; Shikamaru vanished with a pop.
* * * * *
�What are you in the mood for?� Sakura asked, perusing Ino�s vast film collection.
�I don�t know, something stupid,� Ino replied, changed once more into pajamas, cozy on the sofa.
�Mmm�� Sakura hummed, her finger tip running lightly over cases before settling, �ooh, I know!�
�What is it?�
�A surprise,� she grinned devilishly. She put the disc into the player and was about to sit down when she heard a loud knock on the door. �Got it.�
�Sakura!� Ino groaned as the cue music for the film started.
�Shikamaru!� Sakura smiled as she pulled open the door, seeing the dripping wet chuunin in front of her. �I figured you�d be by at some point-�
He frowned, �Sorry Sakura, I�m here on business. Tsunade sent me to find you. You�re needed at the hospital immediately.�
�What happened?� she asked, all business.
�I don�t have details, but you should hurry.�
Leaving the door open, Sakura turned to Ino. �I�m sorry, Ino, I have to-�
�Go!� Ino shouted at her. �I�ll be fine.�
Sakura gave a small nod to Shikamaru and took off out the door.
* * * * *
�Shishou!� Sakura shouted, spotting Tsunade across the busy emergency center.
�Sakura, there�s been an attack. It�s the same M.O. as the attacks on Kiba and you and Neji.� Sakura looked down to see Shiranui Genma lying unconscious on a stretcher, covered in blood.
She felt her stomach give an involuntary lurch. �Genma��
�Genma�s injuries are most severe. I need to get him into surgery immediately to repair the internal damage. Shizune is already in with Uzuki Yugao. You need to assess the damage and do whatever is necessary to heal the third survivor.�
�Understood,� Sakura said, nodding.
�Sakura,� Tsunade said sternly, her eyes locking with Sakura�s, �it�s Kakashi.�
~~~~~
- 13
- 14
- 15
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Forgetting Sasuke