Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Let Me In	By : emeraldfire84 Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1567 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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
- 7
- 8
I know , I know. I�m a horrible person for not updating in so long. Let me just tell you, this story was barely holding my attention and I couldn�t work on it for more than half an hour at a time. I�m glad that it�s ending here. I don�t know how the people who write 20 chapter stories do it! Break is over and school is back in session, meaning I won�t have my friends around to distract me from writing. Then again�I DO have FFXII� Anyways, enough about that and on with the conclusion!

P.S. Reviews wanted. Pretty please!

~~~~~

Let Me In

Sakura�s eyes fluttered open and she found herself in a familiar white washed room in Konoha hospital. The pale walls were bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun as the fading light poured in through her open window. Standing in front of that same window at the foot of her bed was an equally familiar figure, his yellow hair looking radiant in the sunlight. His usual orange jacket ad been replaced with a fitted black T-shirt, accentuating the muscles the blonde had developed over the years. The young shinobi wore a sullen expression that was a vast contrast to the idiotic grin he usually wore. He gazed silently out the window as if in a daydream and did not seem to notice Sakura had awoken.

Sakura let her eyes focus on him as she tried to clear her head which felt clouded and groggy. Why was she in a hospital bed and why did she feel so weak? Why did her head feel like it was stuffed with cotton and most importantly, why the hell did Naruto look so sad?

After a moment, Naruto shifted his gaze from the window and looked over towards the bed. His blue eyes widened when he saw she was awake and a smile instantly lit up his face.

�Sakura!� the blonde cried enthusiastically, bounding onto her bed to wrap his arms around her in a crushing hug. �I was beginning to think you would NEVER wake up!�

�Naruto,� Sakura gasped as his embrace force the air from her lung. �I can�t breathe.�

�Oh, sorry.� The whiskered ninja said as he released her to scratch the back of his head sheepishly. �It�s just that we were all so worried about you. You�ve been out for so long we thought you might stay in a coma forever.�

�So long?� Sakura repeated in confusion. �How long have I been out and how did I get here? Naruto, what HAPPENED to me?�

Her jade eyes met his blue ones and he could see the sincerity of her plead.

�You really don�t remember do you?� he said softly.

When the kunoichi shook her head in reply, the blonde took her small hand in both of his.

�We pulled that trick on him Sakura. After you beat me half to death, you finally snapped out of whatever trance he had put you in and we formulated that plan even though we knew it was a long shot. Since you acting skills were so brilliant, he really thought he still had control over you and we managed to pull it off. Sasuke and I were able to surprise him but we weren�t in time to save you from his��

�Who�s �he�� Sakura interrupted when nothing that Naruto was saying sounded familiar.

�Itachi.� Naruto whispered, casting his glance downwards to his hands around hers, his broad palms and long fingers making hers look petite and frail.

Itachi.

Suddenly, all the memories came rushing back. Her kidnapping, forced allegiance, betraying her friends, being trapped in the world of the sharingan, the rapes�

Sakura�s hand began to tremble in Naruto�s grip and the blonde immediately pulled her into a comforting hug, and this time, she returned it fiercely.

The trauma of what had happened must have caused her brain to block out recent events as some sort of defense mechanism. Sakura almost wished she could keep on forgetting. The instant the memories flooded back into her brain, she felt a deep and biting pain consume her, but not the kind of pain her medical training could heal. These were emotional scars that, though invisible, had wounded her severely. Thank goodness she had been rescued and brought home before she did even more she regretted while under Itachi�s influence. If it wasn�t for Naruto and Sasuke�

Sakura felt panic rising in her stomach and fought to keep it from bubbling into full blown hysteria.

�Sasuke!� she said frantically, pulling away from Naruto to look him in the eye. �Where is he? Where�s Sasuke?�

�Calm down, he�s ok.� The blonde soothed with a smile, rubbing a comforting hand up and down her trembling arm. �He�ll be upset he wasn�t here when you finally woke up. He�s hardly left this bed since he was well enough to walk around. Even Tsunade�s threats wouldn�t keep him away. I told him I�d look after you for a while so he could finally get some proper rest laying down in a bed instead of hunched over the side of one. I�m sure he�ll be back when he wakes up.�

�He�he did that for me?� Sakura asked, surprised by her teammate�s unusual behavior.

�He saved your life Sakura. He saved mine too. After you collapsed, I wasn�t far behind. I thought we had killed that bastard but he had just enough strength to catch me off guard. If he hadn�t been seconds from death, he probably would have caused permanent damage but fortunately, Kyuubi was able to heal me a little and old Granny Tsunade did the rest when we got back here.�

�Sasuke�saved me?� Sakura pondered, not seeing how Naruto�s ramblings supported that claim.

�Oh yeah, I left out the most important part.� The blonde laughed. �Well, you had collapsed and I didn�t last much longer but somehow, Sasuke managed to get us back to Konoha in two days.�

�Two days? How?! That journey takes even a swift ninja nearly three!�

�I know. He must not have slept a wink, or even slowed down. He had to be going top speed for all forty eight hours. He collapsed when he reached the village gates so he must have been pushing really hard.�

�But that�s��

�I know.�

�And right after beating his brother��

�I know.�

�He�s��

�Yeah, he is.�

A moment of silence passed between them before Naruto spoke up.

�You know, I think almost loosing you really opened his eyes Sakura. He views you different now I think.�

�What do you mean?�

�I can�t really explain it, but I think he�s finally figured out what I�ve known all along.�

�And what�s that?�

�Just how special you are.� the blonde said, cracking a grin and causing Sakura to smile as well.

�Thank you Naruto.� She said softly, looking towards the window which was now hardly letting in light at all. After a pause she said, �I don�t even know what day it is. How long was I out?�

�Well, the were the two days travel time, then two more for the medical procedures and you�ve been comatose for the past six.� Naruto said, counting on his fingers.

�Ten days.� Sakura whispered to herself, then to Naruto she asked, �What did Tsunade say about my condition?�

�I think you�re going to make a full recovery. If you want the details you�ll have to ask Granny. All that medical stuff just confuses me.� Naruto chuckled. �As for me, I�ll probably be released from the hospital today or tomorrow, but don�t worry. I�ll still visit since Sasuke has at least another week in here and you, a little longer than that.�

Sakura sighed as she flopped back against her pillow. �It seems that I will never be able to get away from this place, even when I�m off duty.�

�Yeah well, that�s what you get for becoming a medic ninja.� Naruto beamed. �Either you�re fixing up people or they�re fixing you.�

�Mmm hmm.� Sakura murmured drowsily. Despite her attempts, Sakura couldn�t hide a less than graceful yawn and felt her eyelids rapidly growing heavier.

�You look like you could use some more sleep.� The shinobi beside her observed. �And you still have a lot of recovering to do so I�ll leave you too it.�

Naruto was about to extract his hand from hers and stand up to go but a firm tug on his hand kept him in place.

�Could you stay with me, maybe just a little longer?� Sakura asked, hating the way she sounded so needy but not wanting to be alone with ideas of Itachi fresh in her head.

Naruto gave her a reassuring smile that told her he understood perfectly.

�I�ll stay.� He whispered.

Sakura lay back against the pillows and pulled the covers up over herself, Naruto�s fingers still entwined with hers. Sleep came almost instantly as Naruto�s presence gave her peace and she slipped into a dreamland where devils no longer roamed.

~~~~~

Sakura wasn�t sure how long she had been sleeping but when she awoke again Naruto was gone. Judging by the sunlight in the room, she guessed it to be late afternoon. Her body must have really been trashed if it needed that much sleep to recover.

Although Naruto had left, there was another presence at the side of her bed. He sat in a chair, hunched over with his head resting on crossed forearms. His face was hidden from her view but the spiky black hair gave him away.

Sasuke.

His deep and even breathing told Sakura that he was asleep and her heart lurched at the sight. Here he was at her bedside, waiting for her, WORRIED about her. So many times she had wished for the Uchiha�s attention and had been denied, but now here he was, so intent on being near her that even sleep wouldn�t take her from his side. She was reluctant to wake him. He seemed so peaceful and she knew that he too was still in the process of healing and needed all the rest he could get.

The kunoichi shifted slightly, trying to stretch out her limbs before they became even stiffer. Even though she was being careful, her slight movement startled Sasuke and he bolted awake, flashing Sharingan eyes at the possible threat, his hand darting out to grasp her wrist roughly as she pulled back in surprise.

The sight of those menacing red eyes and the near painful grip on her arm triggered something in her brain and the kunoichi suddenly found herself trapped in a flashback where she was Itachi�s captive once more. Before her eyes, the man in front of her seemed to change, his hair grew longer and his face more mature, two creases cut into his skin under his eyes and his forehead protector bore a deep slash through the symbol of the Hidden Leaf. He had her in his grasp and she knew what he intended to do, the same thing he had done to her body over and over again�

�No, Itachi, please don�t�� she whimpered trying to tug her arm out of his steely grip.

The fear in her eyes and her voice instantly snapped Sasuke out of his sleepy stupor and he released Sakura�s arm immediately, cursing himself for being yet another source of pain for the girl after she had been through so much. The pink haired ninja shrunk away from him, visibly shaking as she huddled in the corner of the bed farthest away from him, her knees drawn to her chest, wide eyes fixed on him, making her look more like a cornered animal than the beautiful girl he used to know.

�Sakura,� he said gently as he red eyes faded to black. �It�s me, it�s Sasuke. My brother is gone, he can�t hurt you anymore.�

When she failed to respond, he reached out a hand to her, trying to brush her cheek, touch her arm, show her that his intentions were good and he was not the evil man his brother had been.

The way she drew away further in utter fear confirmed Itachi�s claims to be true. Sasuke couldn�t imagine her being so afraid unless his brother really had violated her, even if he had made her enjoy it. There was no doubt that the Mangekyou Sharingan�s psychological scarring ran as deep as Tsunade had warned. Although she would recover physically, the extent of her mental trauma was still to be seen. Naruto�s encounter with her had been promising but the hokage had warned Sasuke that the sight of him might jumpstart her memory of recent afflictions.

The Uchiha ran a hand through his hair in frustration, cursing his resemblance to his now dead sibling. He could hardly contain the rage he felt for him making Sakura feel this way but at the same time, he knew he couldn�t show his anger for it would only frighten her more. He hadn�t shown love and affection since his parents were taken from him and was at a loss for how to show her he meant her no harm. At his wits end, he did the only thing he could think of and climbed onto her bed and pulled her into a tight embrace, crushing her to his chest and wrapping his arms around her whispering soothing words over and over, hoping that they would break though her world of terror and calm her.

�Sakura, it�s me, it�s Sasuke. Everything is ok now. I�m here and I�ll protect you.�

At first she reacted violently, frantically beating at his chest and trying to push him away but gradually she slowed her assault on him and collapsed weakly against his chest, her face buried in his blue shirt as she continued to shiver and whimper incoherently.

Through it all, Sasuke refused to loosen his grip on her, as if he let her go, she might be ripped away again and never returned. He could only hold her and murmur against her hair over and over. �It�s ok, you�re safe now. I�m here for you Sakura.�

Gradually, he could feel her trembling lessen and felt her arms tentatively wrap around him to return the embrace. He looked down to find wide green eyes looking up at him.

�Sasuke?� she whispered. �Is it really you?�

�Yes. It�s me. You�re safe.�

�I�I�m sorry I thought you were him. When you reached out and grabbed me something just snapped in my head and I was there with him all over again. Sasuke, I�ve never felt so helpless in my entire life!�

Her grip on him tightened, becoming almost desperate as she rested a cheek on his shoulder. �Some ninja I am.� She said scornfully. �I was so useless. It was like I hadn�t had any training at all! I could have fought him, could have resisted, but I was too weak, and then I betrayed my own team!�

Sasuke could hear the bitterness and remorse in the kunoichi�s voice, the same emotions that he had felt for more than half his life. That was fine for him but she was too sweet, too pure to harbor such acrid feelings. He pulled away so he could hold her at arms length and look at her sternly.

�Sakura, he had a powerful jutsu that not even Kakashi could fight against. You�re lucky you broke out of it at all and I think that should prove to you how strong you really are.�

�No.� Sakura shook her head sadly. �It was Naruto�s words, not my own strength that woke me up. I�m still as weak as ever, just like you always thought huh?�
Sakura looked away sadly, unable to meet the Uchiha�s gaze but hand cupped her chin and jerked her back to look at him, perhaps a little rougher than he meant to.

�Don�t you dare say that Sakura. You�re not weak and I�I was wrong about you too. Maybe you started out weak, but you�ve grown, and in some ways, you�re stronger than I�ll ever be.�

She could see the honesty in his deep black eyes and felt her heart flutter a little at his words. Sasuke was finally acknowledging her as an equal, something she had always dreamed of, but her joy was deadened by the thoughts of what had transpired between his brother and herself.

�Then how�� she began. �How did he make me give in so easily? And not only to let him�touch me, but to LIKE it!�

Sakura couldn�t stop the tears that suddenly sprung into her eyes and began to spill down her cheeks. She shut her eyes in mortification at falling apart in front of the one she admired but to her surprise, she felt a hand on the back of her head gently pushing her against his chest, urging her to let out all the pain inside.

�Shh,� he whispered. �It�s not your fault Sakura.�

His words were the key that unlocked the last door of her defenses and she began to cry in earnest, soaking his shirt with her tears that refused to dry up as her body shuddered with the force of her sobs.

�I d-did-n�t w-want to li-ike it b-b-ut I did!� she stammered through her tears, her voice muffled as she buried her face deeper into the Uchiha�s shirt.

�I know.� He whispered. �And I would kill him all over again if I could for what he did to you.�

�I d-didn�t wa-ant him to be my f-first.�

At this, Sasuke winced inwardly. What Itachi had done was so cruel he could hardly stand it. He had asked Tsunade to possibly erase her memories of what had transpired but the buxom blonde had said she couldn�t risk such a procedure, especially with the effects of the Sharingan still unknown. Instead, the young kunoichi would have to fight her way through it with time as her biggest healer, and of course himself, for he still felt responsible for Sakura�s abduction in the first place.

As Sakura�s sobs finally died down, Sasuke drew her even closer.

�I�m sorry I let this happen to you.� He said softly.

He felt her shift in his arms and knew she was looking at him but his guilt wouldn�t allow him to meet her gaze.

�Sasuke, it�s not your fault. I was the one out all alone after dark. I was careless.�

�No Sakura, it was my fault. All these years I�ve kept people at a distance knowing that Itachi wouldn�t hesitate to take away everything precious to me. Causing me pain gave him great joy and the less people were involved with me, the better it was for them. That�s why��

The Uchiha�s voice trailed off but Sakura knew the rest.

�That�s why he kept pushing Naruto and me away.�

Her eyes widened at the realization. Sasuke wasn�t staying aloof all those years because he had a superiority complex or because he was thought that they weren�t worth his time. He was trying to protect them, knowing that if he showed them affection they could potentially be targeted by Itachi.

Well, a lot of good THAT had done. Naruto was targeted anyway because he had the Kyuubi sealed inside him and Itachi had still managed to track her down. All that pain caused by the distance he had put between them, and for what? Why couldn�t he have just told them how he felt? Why couldn�t he just be honest about his feelings?

Out of all the reactions Sakura could have had, Sasuke was not expecting the hard slap of her hand on his cheek to be one of them.

�So you reject us so you could protect us? Is that it Sasuke?�

Her cheeks were flushed with anger and the brittle edge to her voice made it all too clear that she was seething inside. He had expected her to be angry but not over the fact that he had been protecting her. Well, at least that hadn�t changed about her as she had grown over the years. She was still unpredictable when it came to mood swings.

�I didn�t want you to be hurt.� He said simply, rubbing his cheek that was already turning red.

�What makes you think that Naruto and I want this sort of protection?� she cried. �I would have faced Itachi everyday if it meant getting you back those years you were gone, if it meant you letting down the cold, cool act of yours and actually letting people IN to your life!�

Sasuke finally allowed himself to look at her and saw that she was on the verge of tears again, only this time, they were tears of anger and frustration and HE was the cause, not his late brother. Guilt wrenched his gut like a twisting kunai and he knew she was right. Life probably would have been so much happier for the three of them if he had just embraced the two people assigned with him on Team 7, but yet, the thought of it costing them their lives weighed too heavily on his conscience.

�Don�t you see Sakura? I never could have forgiven myself if something happened to either of you because of your relationships with me. I thought it would be better this way��

The last Uchiha bowed his head and closed his eyes, not knowing what else to say. He was surprised when he felt her forehead come to rest on his chest and heard her sigh almost in amusement.

�You really are an idiot.�

She raised her head to lock brilliant green eyes with his. �Sasuke, we�re a TEAM. We would face anything with you and we would expect you to do the same for us. If we were afraid of danger, we never would have signed up to be ninjas in the first place.�

Sasuke gave a smirk, the closest he ever got to a smile, and said, �Yeah, I guess you�re right. I guess I have a lot more to be apologizing for.�

�You don�t have to apologize. Just promise me this Sasuke; never shut me out of your life again, no matter what. I want to know the real you and to understand how you feel, how you hurt, how you laugh. Just please�let me in.�

�Hmph.� Sasuke said, a sound that used to drive Sakura insane. �You think that now you�re finally back I would let you go so easily?�

The pink haired girl smiled a smile that was practically radiant and Sasuke was stricken with how beautiful she had become over the years as she had developed, both as a ninja and as a woman. Suddenly, he was all too aware that she still sat in his lap and was pressed incredibly close to him.

�Well I�I should let you rest some more. I just wanted to see you awake and ok for myself.� He gingerly lifted Sakura out of his lap as if she would break and laid her down on the bed, tucking her in like a child.

�If you need me for anything, I�m in the room down the hall.� He added hurriedly, for some reason eager to get away from this girl�no, WOMAN who suddenly looked so beautiful to him.

As he turned to leave, he felt slender fingers wrap around his wrist and stop him. He looked back to find her sitting up and regarding him with those big green eyes of hers.

�I need something now.� She said, tugging on his wrist to bring him closer. �I�I don�t want to be alone tonight, not after everything that�s happened. Can you just stay with me a little longer, at least until I fall asleep?�

Sasuke took a deep breath. How many missions had he been on with this girl where they had to sleep in close quarters? So why was he so anxious now? She was still the same old Sakura, wasn�t she?

�Sure, I�ll stay.� He replied as he made his way over to the chair and prepared to sit again.

�No, not there.� The Uchiha looked at her questioningly until she patted the sheets besides her.

�Here.�

Sasuke could feel his pulse quicken and was considering refusing her request but the way her eyes pleaded him made it impossible for him to deny her. Hesitantly he climbed into bed behind her, giving her as much room as the small hospital bed would allow, but that plan went up in smoke when she pressed back against him, molding her back to his front and pulled his arm over her so he was holding her close.

�Goodnight Sasuke.� She murmured, sighing in contentment as a wave of warmth and security washed over her at the feeling of being in her team mate�s arms.

The Uchiha was a little uncomfortable with having a woman in such close proximity but soon relaxed, feeling a soothing sensation pass through him that could only have come from this woman he had known for so long.

Tentatively, he intertwined his fingers with hers and allowed his nose to nuzzle into the back of her neck, breathing in her sweet scent.

�Goodnight Sakura.�

Within moments, the two of them were asleep, feeling a warmth that touched not only their bodies, but that reached down to their very souls, heating what had been cold and lonely for far too long.

~~~~~

Naruto walked through the halls of the hospital. Despite the early hour he was humming to himself, his good mood made obvious by the bounce in his step. In his hand he held a small bouquet of flowers purchased from the Yamanaka family shop. This morning, he felt that life could hardly get any better. Itachi was dead, his team had made it back to the village and Sakura was healing better than anticipated. He arrived at said kunoichi�s room and opened the door, preparing to give her an idiotic grin to welcome the new day.

What he found was both unexpected and strangely heartwarming. Sakura was sound asleep, curled on her side facing the door with a beautifully serene expression on her face. Behind her was Sasuke, an arm wrapped possessively around her waist and the hint of a genuine smile on his lips. Naruto didn�t think he had ever seen the Uchiha look so happy.

Both figures were fully clothed with the thin hospital sheet pulled up only to their hips so it was obvious only events of the platonic kind had occurred and yet, Naruto couldn�t help feeling the tiniest twinge of jealousy at the closeness the two shared.

The blonde pushed the feeling aside and gave a genuine smile at his two sleeping team mates.

�I hope you finally get what you�ve always wished for Sakura. You can heal him and he can make you the happiness girl alive.�

Naruto watched the two for a moment before adding, �I�ve always wanted you to be happy Sakura, even if it�s not with me.�

He quietly slid the door closed and turned to leave but bumped against a tall figure whose presence had been undetected until now.

�Yo.� A cheerful voice greeted from behind the usual mask.

�Hey Kakashi sensei, you scared me!� Naruto accused. �How long have you been there?�

�Oh I only just got here. I came by to visit Sasuke but it appears he�s not in his room. I figured he�d be here but I hadn�t expected, well, what I found.�

�Yeah,� Naruto replied as he turned to leave, Kakashi falling into step beside him. �Who would have ever thought the bastard would soften up.�

The blonde gave a smile but even with one eye, the silver haired man could see the sadness behind it. Giving him a friendly bump with his shoulder, he said, �It�s natural for him to be overprotective after such a close call, although I must admit it is a little out of character for Sasuke. I�d expect that kind of affection from you Naruto.�

�Yeah well, she�s been after his affection for years now.� The younger man answered, the bounce now gone from his step as the descended the stairs to leave the hospital.

�Speaking of you and Sasuke,� Kakashi said changing the subject. �Don�t think I�ve forgotten about the little stunt the two of you pulled to get out of Konoha. I�ll warn you that as soon as the two of you are healed, I�ll work you so hard you just might end up back in the hospital.�

The jounin made his voice sound threatening but he couldn�t hide the playful glint in his eye that told Naruto he was kidding.

�If you do, you�ll have Granny to deal with. She�ll be furious.� Naruto laughed, flashing an authentic smile.

�How DID the hokage react to your return?� Kakashi questioned as they made their way through the hospital lobby and out to the street.

�Oh she was mad as hell. If we hadn�t all been in such serious condition she would have killed us herself, but in the end, I think she was too relieved to have us back to punish us.�

�Well, you�ll be able to say for sure AFTER all three of you are out of the hospital.�

Just then, a flash of inky purple black caught Kakashi�s eye among the throngs of people on the village streets. The corner of his mouth turned up in a mischievous smirk but his mask disguised it and left Naruto none the wiser.

�Hey Hinata!� he called, waving his hand to get her attention.

The girl picked out the tall lanky man from the crowd easily and began to make her way towards him, not yet seeing the shorter blonde.

�Hey Kakashi, what are you doing?� Naruto asked in confusion, figuring his teacher would have little to discuss with the Hyuuga heiress.

�I just thought the three of us could have lunch together.� Kakashi said innocently. �It�s rare that I get to spend time with other Konoha shinobi.�

�Oh, well that�s nice�I guess, but it�s still breakfast time.� The whiskered man replied, still quite confused.

�Good morning Kakashi sensei.� Hinata said politely upon reaching the couple.

�Hey Hinata!� Naruto exclaimed, appearing from behind his teacher�s tall form. �I know it�s early but do you want to go get something to eat?�

�I-I�um�N-Naruto!� the lavender eyed girl stammered, a blush instantly painting her cheeks at the sight of her crush.

�Oh I just remembered, I have a prior engagement.� Kakashi said, feigning disappointment. �I�m afraid I�ll have to meet with you another time Naruto.� He turned and began to walk away before the blonde could protest. Glancing over his shoulder he called, �I hope you enjoy the flowers Hinata.�

The pale girl�s eyes fell to the bouquet still in Naruto�s hand. �A-Are those for me?�

�Well actually�um�they uh�yeah they are!� Naruto chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head with his spare hand as he offered her the posies with the other.

She took them shyly and inhaled their sweet fragrance. �Thank you Naruto. They smell wonderful.�

The blonde beamed at her timid smile. �I�m glad you like them. I haven�t met a girl yet who didn�t like flowers. Now where do you wanna eat? I�m starving!�

�Well, actually I��

�I know! Let�s go to Ichiraku�s! Nobody in Konoha has better ramen!�

Hinata could only nod shyly as Naruto grabbed her arm and practically dragged her down the street, clutching her flowers in her other hand. His rough and overly enthusiastic treatment didn�t bother her in the least. In fact, she had never been so happy in her entire life.

~~~~~

Nearly a week passed and Sasuke was released from the hospital, not that it mattered, for he seemed to spend just as much time there as when he was a patient, stubbornly refusing to leave Sakura�s side even with Tsunade�s threats of pummeling him if he didn�t go home and get some proper rest.

More than once Sakura had awoken to find him next to her bed and perceived him as the older Uchiha which sent her into near hysterical fits. Sasuke had learned to deal with them and simply gathered her in her arms and spoke soothing words to her until she came out of the trance. Fortunately, these episodes were occurring less and less, but Sasuke was beginning to find it difficult to subdue the kunoichi as her strength continued to return. Eventually he had to resort to pinning her down on the bed, a strategy that sickened him knowing that his brother had probably put her in the same position more than once.

Tsunade was most concerned with her apprentice slipping back into the mindset Itachi had instilled in her, poisoning her thoughts until she believed that Konoha and her team mates were enemies rather than allies. However, after another two weeks had passed without any relapses, the hokage reluctantly released the pink haired girl with strict orders to continue resting, refraining from anything too mentally or physically stressful.

The normally busy kunoichi was only too happy to get out of hospital and back into her daily routine but Sasuke insisted that she stay with him for a while, a suggestion that Tsunade approved, and between the two of them, Sakura was practically banned from any physical training or medical work at the hospital for another week, causing her to nearly go out of her mind with boredom.

At first she had refused the Uchiha�s offer to stay with him. After all, she had her own apartment. But simple tasks like cooking and cleaning were apparently not allowed in her daily routine either and so she packed up a few belongings and moved into her own room within Sasuke�s sprawling estate.

At first, she had been surprised with how gracious a host Sasuke was. She had expected him to leave her to her own devices but instead, he seemed to constantly linger over her as if he were afraid to let her out of his sight. From the moment he came home from training to the time Sakura announced she was heading for bed, Sasuke always found a way to be in the same room with her, unless of course, she receded to her own room and shut the door. It seemed even his excessive worrying wouldn�t cause him to invade her privacy.

Sakura was at a loss at the normally icy man�s behavior. He cooked her meals and washed her clothes. Once he even drew a bath for her although he left before she began undressing. He was always a perfect gentleman, never trying to peek in on her and Sakura figured he never would be interested in her in a romantic sort of way. However, this brotherly sort of adoration was a welcomed change from the indifference he had shown her before.

When she was deemed well enough to go out and run errands, Sasuke often accompanied her. Sakura would have liked to think that it was because he actually enjoyed her company, not because he felt like he had to baby-sit her, but regardless, he usually fell into step beside her, hands shoved in his pockets.

While out in public, Sasuke was as stoic as always. He said little, responding to greetings with a curt nod or a monosyllabic answer and didn�t go out of his way to make conversation. Yet despite his seemingly regular behavior, the few people close enough to Sasuke could see that a change had come over him, especially when he looked at Sakura without her knowledge. Clearly he cared more deeply about the kunoichi than he cared to admit but those that noticed, namely Kakashi and Naruto, simply smiled knowingly and kept their observations to themselves.

When the two of them were alone however, Sasuke allowed himself to loosen up at least a little. For the first time in his life he opened up to someone about his thoughts and feelings about what had happened to his family. Sakura had sat there next to him, snuggled up on the couch, listening intently to the tale that must have wrenched pain from his heart with every breath. Unconsciously, her hand found Sasuke�s and she twined her fingers with his and he did not refuse her touch.

Although he had offered to take care of her, she clearly was healing him in ways he didn�t even understand, ways that her medical training was in no way responsible for. It was the simple intimacy of communicating with another human being openly that he had lacked from his life for so long, and now the last Uchiha finally allowed himself to drop his guard just enough that he might vent his frustrations and lift the heavy weight from his chest that had resided there ever since he was a small boy.

When he had finished his story, Sakura had tugged him into her arms and simply held him. There were no tears and even words of sympathy, just strong, feminine arms encircling his body and pressing him close to her until she could feel the pulsing of his heart beat in time with her own.

Neither knew how long they had stayed like that, for time seemed to stop as volumes of emotions passed between the two without ever saying a word. In the end, the two of them fell asleep in that position, bodies entwined on the couch with Sasuke�s head cushioned against the swell of Sakura�s breast.

Weeks passed, and then months. Sakura had long since gone back to work at the hospital and had even accepted some missions and yet, she still lived in at the Uchiha manor. Rooming with the shinobi had become second nature and Sakura secretly dreaded the thought of going back to her lonely apartment. Sasuke didn�t seem to mind her presence, in fact she suspected he secretly enjoyed having someone to talk to, although she was quickly growing tired of the way he always seemed to worry over her, even though she had been fully recovered for some time.

Although she continued to sleep in her own room, she found herself spending more and more time with Sasuke until it seemed like the only times she wasn�t with him was when she was working her shifts at the hospital. They tended to spend a lot of time alone now that Naruto had finally asked out Hinata. The two of them seemed nearly inseparable and Sakura couldn�t be happier for them. The Hyuuga heiress had spent far too long admiring the obnoxious blonde from afar and she was glad that Naruto had finally noticed the beauty of her shy smile, even if it took Kakashi�s clever meddling to do it.

Tonight however, was a special occasion. The five of them were to meet at the local shinobi hot spot for drinks and Sakura was excited at the prospect of getting to see her friends outside of their ninja duties.

�Sasuke, we�re going to be late. Hurry up!� Sakura called as she finished tying her forehead protector into her hair.

�I�m ready calm down. I don�t see what the big deal is anyway.� Sasuke said, appearing in the doorway of her room. �We see these people all the time anyways.�

�Well I�ll be leaving for a mission tomorrow afternoon so this is my last chance to see them for a week or two.� The kunoichi replied reaching for a tube of shimmery pink lip gloss.

�Mission? You didn�t tell me you were going on a mission.� Sasuke said a little too sharply, meeting Sakura�s eyes in the mirror of her small vanity.

�Tsunade briefed me on it during my hospital shift today. It�s just an escort mission, although there have been some bandits in the area that are suspected to be former shinobi. The hokage thought it would be a good idea to have a medic along on the mission, just in case.�

�And you�ll be gone for two weeks? That�s a long time for an escort mission Sakura. Are you sure you�ll be ok?�

The kunoichi tossed the cosmetics back on the table and turned around with an exasperated sigh. �Sasuke, I�ll be fine! Stop worrying so much. I�ve been on missions that have lasted over a month before. Stop treating me like I�m a gennin straight of the academy!�

Sasuke heaved his own deep sigh, titling his head so his dark bangs obscured his eyes. �I know, I�m sorry. You�re not a gennin anymore and haven�t been for some time. It�s just��

He lifted his head and Sakura was surprised by the intensity and sincerity in his black eyes. �It�s just that I don�t ever want to see you in a position like that again. I want to be there for you Sakura, and it bothers me when I can�t.�

The pink haired ninja couldn�t remember seeing that pleading expression in his eyes before, a look telling her that he might just fall apart if something happened to her. It was all too much for Sakura to digest at the moment so she made light of the situation, pushing him out of her room and towards the door.

�I don�t need a baby-sitter Sasuke, but I WILL need a miracle if we�re going to meet the others on time. Let�s go!�

And before Sasuke could protest, he found himself being herded out the door and into the night.

~~~~~

The gathering had been a pleasant one. Although Hinata and Naruto couldn�t keep themselves from making goo-goo eyes at each other the entire evening, they still managed to carry on conversation with the others. Well, at least Naruto did. Hinata was as shy and quiet as ever, speaking only when spoken too, but Sakura was positive she now had a certain glow about her. The pink haired kunoichi found herself a little jealous. She had always wanted to feel what it was like to be head-over-heels in love with someone who felt the same way about her and it was obvious Hinata had found that in Naruto.

She was still getting used to seeing the two together. The boisterous blonde was big on PDA, slinging his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close and giving her a brief kiss every time he caught her eye, which of course, made the Hyuuga heiress blush furiously. Sakura thought they were so darn cute that it was borderline disgusting.

Kakashi was unusually talkative, responding to Naruto with more than just the bare minimum of words that he usually supplied. Maybe it had something to do with all the sake he had downed, a feat he managed without giving any of the onlookers a good view of his face, but it became apparent he was still sober enough to keep his wits about him because as soon as Naruto began asking questions about his past he clammed up.

Sasuke on the other hand, didn�t really say anything at all, opting to quietly sip sake and answer with an occasional �Hmm.� whenever appropriate. However, Sakura caught him looking at her more than once out of the corner of her eye, yet when she turned to face him his eyes had also focused on something else. She was beginning to think she was imagining things, but soon forgot about the whole thing anyways when Naruto launched into the story of how he and Hinata had become an item. She was pretty sure everyone at the table had heard the story before but she didn�t particularly mind. It was an amusing tale, especially the way he told it because he made it sound like asking out the lavender eyed kunoichi had been all his idea. Sakura just exchanged knowing glances with Kakashi who had told her his rendition of the story. Maybe it was better they let Naruto think the way he wanted. After all, it wouldn�t do to let Hinata know that his bouquet of flowers had never really been intended for her at all.

The evening progressed and soon, the group found that they were the only ones left at the establishment, the other patrons had called it a night some time ago. Hinata tried to stifle a yawn but didn�t quite make it and Naruto immediately asked if she wanted him to walk her back to her family compound.

The mismatched couple exited and Kakashi stood to leave as well, no doubt wanting to get a little reading in before he went to sleep for the night. Left alone on the street, Sasuke and Sakura began the short walk back to the Uchiha estate under the light of the moon that was nearly full.

After a moment of walking in comfortable silence, Sakura chucked, �He really is an idiot.�

�Hmm?�

�Nauto. All this time, Hinata was infatuated with him. I think everyone knew it but him. Now that he has her, he�s the happiest guy alive. I just think it�s funny he nearly missed what was right under his nose the whole time.�

�Few people are lucky enough to find what they weren�t really looking for.� The Uchiha answered cryptically, tilting his had up to look at the moon as they walked. �I would know.�

Sakura was about to ask him what he meant by that when they arrived at their destination. They went through the main gates, past rows of empty buildings. Sakura wondered what it must be like for Sasuke to walk down these streets and remember when they were once bustling with life, to remember a happier time from his childhood when he was surrounded by family that loved him. Now, all that was left was hollow wooden structures that remained silent witnesses to the destruction wrought by Itachi.

Sakura shuddered at the mere thought of him, suddenly remembering the way his hands had felt on her, the warmth and pleasure they had provided, yet when combined with the cruelty and malice in his eyes, she couldn�t help but feel sickened by the thought of sharing her body with a person like him. Another shiver wracked her body and though she tried to hide it, Sasuke�s acute shinobi senses noticed it.

�What�s the matter Sakura? Is everything ok?� he asked, immediately, stopping in his tracks and turning to look at her with concern.

�No, no. Everything�s fine. I was just�cold.�

Sasuke�s dark eyes searched hers and Sakura swore he was literally peering into her mind. �It�s a warm night Sakura, and you don�t have any goose bumps. Want to tell me the TRUTH this time?�

Sakura sighed and averted her eyes. Nothing got past Sasuke as usual.

�I was just thinking about him.�

�Ah.�

No further explanation was needed. They both knew who Sakura was referring too and the mood around them instantly changed, became heavier as all joy and happiness was blotted out by the mere thought of Konoha�s most powerful criminal.

�Does it still hurt?� Sasuke asked, referring to not the physical, but emotional pain his late brother had inflicted on her, had inflicted on both of them.

�No.� Sakura admitted truthfully. �But I don�t think I�ll ever forget. It�s like he�s still haunting me.�

�Yeah, I know. He�s been haunting me ever since he took my parents away from me.�

Unconsciously, his hand found hers and their fingers entwined. Squeezing her hand gently he asked, �Is there anything I can do?�

A smile came to Sakura�s lips and she looked back at him. �You can come inside with me instead of standing out here in the dark!� She tugged him playfully into the main house and he followed easily, too perplexed by her sudden mood change to offer much resistance.

Sakura took off her shoes and then collapsed onto a nearby couch with a sigh. �I know I should start packing for my mission but I just don�t feel like it.�

�Who�s accompanying you?�

�Neji and Kiba.� She replied, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to her chest, tucking her feet under her in a more comfortable position.

�Only the three of you?� Sasuke asked with a raised eyebrow. �I thought there were enemy shinobi in the area.�

�Sasuke, three is the standard number assigned to missions, and these shinobi probably aren�t elite, they�re just bandits. It�s not like they�re starting the next Sound village.�

�Well then why did Tsunade feel the need to send you along? She wouldn�t have called for a medic ninja if she didn�t think there would be a need for one.� His tone had become sharper, more accusing.

�What is WITH you Sasuke?� Sakura yelled, her light mood evaporating into anger. �You act like I�ve never been in a dangerous situation before. Well guess what, it�s my JOB! You of all people should know. Stop acting like I�m not qualified to carry out my duties.�

�Why are you getting mad at me for being worried about you? I just want to make sure you�re taken care of.� Sasuke replied, raising his voice to match hers.

�Sasuke, you suffocating me!� the kunoichi exclaimed, throwing her pillow at him angrily. �You act like I have no business being a ninja, like I can�t handle anything on my own!�

�It only takes one mistake to cost you your life Sakura. I just don�t want that mistake to happen somewhere where I can�t prevent it.�

�Oh, so now I�m DEPENDANT on you? Is that what it is? I�m helpless without the big strong Uchiha to rescue me?�

Sakura was now on her feet, her green eyes flashing angrily.

�No that�s not what I meant Sakura. I��

�You know what Sasuke,� she said calmly, cutting him off. �You should try showing me a little less worry and a little more faith. If you care about me like you say you do, try supporting me once in a while.�

With that, she brushed past him and headed for her room, evading the Uchiha�s grip as he reached out for her.

�Sakura I��

�Goodnight Sasuke.�

She had reached her room and was about to shut the door firmly in his face put his hand on the wooden surface stopped her. Knowing she couldn�t with against him in a show of brute strength she abandoned trying to close it and turned her back on him, tugging her forehead protector angrily from her hair and tossing it on her vanity with a clatter.

Plucking an oversized button-up shirt and her customary black shorts from a drawer she disappeared into the adjacent bathroom and slammed the door, clicking the lock into place.

She tried to calm herself as she stripped out of her clothes and slid her arms into the sleeves of the night shirt, knowing she wouldn�t be able to sleep unless she settled down, yet she couldn�t help but fume at the thought of Sasuke�s words.

�Who does he think he is?� she thought angrily pulling her shorts up over her slender hips. �I get caught once and suddenly I�m completely helpless? It�s not like I�ve never been in trouble before. Why is now so different?�

Her inner mind which had contented herself in staying quiet for some time chose this moment to reply.

�Because this time he feels responsible for what happened. This time things were way too personal.�

�That may be but that doesn�t give him the right to treat me like some rookie ninja.�

�I think you should be thankful he�s showing concern at all. Getting any sort of reaction from Sasuke is hard to do. You should know, you tried for years.�

�Yeah but, I wish he�d see me as the person I am NOW, not the whiny little crybaby I used to be.�

�Maybe he�s only just getting to know the real you, after all, he was gone for years.� Inner Sakura reasoned. �And I think he WANTS to see you for who you are and he CARES about you and who you are, he just doesn�t know how to show it.�

Sakura�s shoulders slumped in defeat at her inner voice�s words as she reached for her toothbrush. Usually her invisible counterpart was impulsive and brash, but tonight she was being annoyingly logical.

�Yeah well, even if he cares for me, it�s in that stupid sisterly kind of way. No wonder we fight like this.� She thought stubbornly as she brushed her teeth.

�But isn�t that better than no affection from him at all?�

Sakura had to admit it was, and yet she yearned for the feel of his arms around her again, his body close to hers, like it had been the night they had shared together in the hospital bed and again on his couch. She figured it was just the relief of finding her awake and alive that prompted him to spend the night holding her in his arms, but she knew it was nothing more than that. She had sensed the awkwardness about him, subtle, but there nonetheless and understood that this kind of behavior did not come naturally to Sasuke, especially towards people like her.

He had wanted to show her he was happy to see her alive, and maybe apologize for what his brother had done. He had never been one to gush about his feelings so perhaps holding her quietly for a night was all he could think to do. Sakura sighed audibly. How she wished that he would tell her he cared for her in more than just a friendly way. Even after all these years, her crush on him was still strong and had only grown during the time she had lived with him, only now, she was mature enough to hide it and not pester him constantly for a date. Well, some things never changed and her futile pining for Sasuke would be one of them.

She rinsed her toothbrush and her mouth and exited the bathroom, not bothering to put away the clothes she had stripped out of. The room was illuminated only by a small bedside lamp which did little more than chase the shadows a little further away from the light source.

She was a little surprised to find the object of her thoughts sitting on her bed, waiting for her to exit the bathroom. By now her anger had drained away and she just looked at him tiredly.

�What now Sasuke? Are you going to remind me to pack enough kunai like a good little ninja?�

�Sakura, don�t be like that.� The Uchiha said quietly, looking at her briefly before turning his head away. �I didn�t mean to make you feel inferior or incapable and I know I worry about you too much, it�s just that�I really�I��

�You what, Sasuke? Please tell me, because trying to guess how you feel is like trying to read a book in a language I don�t know. You�re way too good at being enigmatic and I think that�s unfair when I�ve done nothing but bare my soul to you since the first day we met.�

Sakura crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame, waiting for the man in front of her to reply.

�Sakura, I care about you and I hate the thought of you not coming home.�

Even as he said the words, his voice remained even, and devoid of emotion. She knew he was being truthful and sincere but she wished he would betray something when he spoke, a sense of urgency or desperation, but she should know better than to expect such things when it came to Sasuke.

�Well it�s something you should be used to be now. We�ve been shinobi since we were kids. I love what I do and I�m not giving it up.�

�I know, and I would never ask you to. It�s just that I care about you.�

�I know you do.� Sasuke sighed irritably. �You�ve said that already and I care about you too but��

�No, I CARE about you Sakura. I lo��

Sasuke turned his face further away from her as his voice trailed off into silence. Sakura, who had been leaning casually in the doorway suddenly stood up straight, trying to figure out if her ears were playing tricks on her.

�Did you hear that?! I KNEW he had feelings for you!� Inner Sakura cried triumphantly, punching an enthusiastic fist into the air.

Sakura mentally told her to can it and stared at Sasuke with wide eyes.

�Sasuke, what were you going to say?�

�Nothing Sakura. You must be tired. I�ll let you sleep so you can be ready for your mission tomorrow.�

Without ever turning back to her, Sasuke stood and began to exit the room, but Sakura wasn�t about to let him escape so easily.

�Stop!�

Her voice seemed to hold all the emotion that he lacked and the Uchiha couldn�t bring himself to disobey her plea. Without turning around, he stood motionless, waiting for her to speak again.

�Please, Sasuke,� she said coming up behind him softly, standing so close to him she could feel the warmth his body emitted, but still not allowing herself to touch him. �Tell me what you were going to say.�

�I can�t.� He whispered, his whole body rigid and alert as he waited for her next move.

�Then at least look at me. You�ve hardly glance my way since I�ve come out of the bathroom.�

She place both hands on his shoulders and turned him around to face her but to her annoyance, his eyes were still averted.

�What�s the matter with you? Am I that terrible to look at?�

�No,� the dark haired shinobi replied with a slight shake of his head. �It�s just that�you�re dressed that way and��

Sakura watched with amazement as a slight blush spread over his cheeks, barely noticeable in the dim light. Was Sasuke seriously flushed with embarrassment because she was in her PJs?

�Sasuke, you�ve seen me in less than this countless times before.� She said softly, cupping his chin in her hand and gently turning his head to look at her. �Why are you suddenly so shy?�

�Because now I see you differently. You�re a woman now, not a girl.�

Sakura had to admit, most of the missions they had gone on where Sasuke had seen her dressed for bed had been before his departure and she had been underdeveloped to say the least, with a figure resembling that of a stick. Now she had grown and curves appeared in places where previously there had only been vertical lines, but why should that matter?

�Sasuke, if I didn�t want you to see me in these clothes, I wouldn�t have put them on. It�s ok. Just tell me what you were going to say.�
The Uchiha took a deep breath and closed his eyes, cursing himself for letting that word slip. He hadn�t wanted to tell her, not now, not yet. There was so much he wasn�t sure about, so much he had to sort out for himself first.

He was still caught in the turmoil of his thought when Sakura�s voice broke through to him.

�I know it�s hard for you to talk about how you feel, and that�s ok. We can take that a day at a time, but if you won�t tell me how you feel then I want you to show me.�

�What?� Sasuke asked, opening his eyes and finally looking at her.

�Show me.� She whispered.

And without warning, her lips were suddenly brushing over his, feather soft at first but gradually pressing against him with more and more pressure. Her lips were silky and warm and the feel of them made his pulse jump erratically. Sasuke nearly lost himself in the kiss, letting his eyes slide shut and his hands rest on her shoulders until he felt the wetness of her tongue trace the seam of his lips, begging for entry.

Pushing her away firmly, he broke the kiss, already feeling breathless.

�I can�t. I can�t do this with you.�

Sasuke hated himself all the more when he saw the crestfallen look on Sakura�s face.

�But why not? Didn�t you say that you��

�I do!� he cried, raking a hand through his unruly black locks in frustration. �But I can�t do this. It wouldn�t be right. You�ve only just gotten over what has happened and I don�t want to move this fast.�

Sakura regarded him carefully, processing his words.

�So, you think that since I was raped, I shouldn�t want to be intimate with someone so soon?� she asked slowly, wanting to sort out the Uchiha�s reasoning in her own head.

�I just don�t want to take advantage of you. If you choose to do this with me, I want you to be ready. I don�t want to rush this.�

Sakura couldn�t help the smile that appeared on her lips. When it came to intimacy, Sasuke was definitely a novice, yet she couldn�t help but be touched by his concern for her. However, she had no intention of letting him walk away from this. She had waited for this for practically all her life.

�You�re not taking advantage of me.� She whispered, taking a step towards him. �I want to be with you. I want to know what it�s like to be with someone who truly cares about me. If you can�t say the words, then show me with your touch Sasuke.

The kunoichi reached out and took his hand gently, placing it on her cheek and gazed up into his eyes. She had made it apparent what she wanted and now the ball was in his court.

For one breathless moment, Sakura thought he was going to walk away, but then he dipped his head and Sakura felt his lips press to hers again, only this time, when her tongue sought entrance to his mouth, he parted his lips and granted it. She felt his arm hesitantly snake around her waist to pull her closer while his tongue slid against hers with the same uncertainty. In the back of her mind, she wondered if this was his first true kiss, but the thought evaporated when he began to suck on her tongue gently.

She couldn�t help the soft moan that arose as the hand on her cheek stroked her skin lightly while his tongue continued to explore every inch of her mouth. He seemed to be gradually gaining confidence but Sakura doubted he would progress much past this on his own. Still locked in the passionate kiss, she slowly walked backwards, pulling him with her until they were at her bed. In one fluid motion that probably would have been less graceful if the two of them weren�t elite ninjas, Sakura pulled Sasuke down with her, resulting in his body covering hers as she lay on her back on the bed.

He barely had time to catch himself with a hand on either side of her head to keep himself from crushing her and looked at her with apprehension.

�S-Sakura?� he panted, finally breaking the kiss and catching his breath.

�Just keep going. I�ll tell you if you move too fast.� Sakura said in an equally breathless voice, although she was pretty sure Sasuke was going to move at a pace slower than what she would like.

Sasuke nodded wordlessly before his lips found hers again, this time kissing her a little more forcefully, but still remaining gentle. Sakura kissed back with equal passion as her hands wandered over his back and down to the hem of his shirt and heard him gasp against her mouth when her fingers traveled under the fabric to trace lazy patterns on his bare skin.

Only when their lungs were screaming for air did the two break the kiss. Sasuke slowly lowered his body onto hers, still keeping most of his weight on his hands and met her green gaze with his own intense eyes.

�Are you sure Sakura? Are you sure you want this�want me?�

The kunoichi giggled softly and brushed her palm across his cheek. �You pick the worst possible moments to loose confidence. Stop worrying so much and kiss me already!�

A hand on the back of his head pressed the Uchiha�s lips back to hers and she could feel his body relax. When he pulled away, he moved to nuzzle the crook of her neck before pressing his lips to the pulse point of her throat. Soft sounds of pleasure fell from Sakura�s mouth as his warm lips and tongue worked their way over her neck and down to her collarbone, causing her to unconsciously graze his skin with her nails instead of her fingers, pushing him down into her hoping to get his body even closer to hers. Even when his weight was settled on her, pushing her into the sheets, it wasn�t enough. Her hands found the hem of his shirt and began to tug on it impatiently. It didn�t take long for Sasuke to figure out what she wanted.

He sat up with a knee on either side of her hips and pulled his shirt over his head, leaving him in just his pants. Sakura unconsciously licked her lips at the sight of his defined chest, hard sinewy muscles rippling under pale skin.

The dark haired shinobi lowered himself back down onto her, pressing his chest to hers and Sakura moaned softly at the contact. His body felt so good against hers, especially now that his torso was exposed to her. Her arms wrapped around him and her hands continued to play over his back, feeling the muscle contract and pulse at her touch.

Sasuke captured a delicate earlobe between his teach and sucked it softly, extracted another soft mewl from the woman beneath him. He kissed his way down her throat, taking in the scent and texture of her silky skin until he came to the collar of her shirt. It was an oversized men�s dress shirt, one that buttoned down the front and Sasuke had to admit she looked incredibly sexy in it, hence the reason he had been so hesitant to look at her. He couldn�t believe she was allowing him to touch her like this and his heart was filled with a joy he never thought he would be able to experience again, yet with that joy came trepidation. Despite what she said, he was afraid of going too far too fast and when he reached the place where her skin ended and her shirt began, he paused, not sure if he should continue.

Sasuke sensed his hesitation and gently took his hand in hers, guiding it between them to the first button of the shirt, urging him to free her of it. How could he deny such an invitation? Slowly he began to undue the buttons with one hand while propping himself up with the other. He could only gaze appreciatively at the creamy expanse of skin that was slowly being exposed to him.

Sakura held her breath as Sasuke�s hand traveled down her body, leaving bare skin in its wake. She watched his face as he concentrated on his task. She had never seen him wear such a soft expression before. All those layers of pride and scorn were being peeled back in her presence, showing her the vulnerable man underneath.

When he slipped the last button through its hole, he gently pushed the two halve of her shirt apart. As they fell away, his expression changed to one of awe and even reverence as he drank in the deliciously feminine curves he had uncovered. Just his gaze alone made Sakura feel like a goddess. How many times had she wished for this man�s undivided attention? She had given up hope that he would ever look on her with eyes like those and yet here he was, admiring her like she was a priceless piece of art.

�God Sakura, you�re beautiful.� He uttered, letting his eyes wander over her lush breasts, each capped with a rosy pink nipple that was standing erect and at attention despite the warm air in the room.

Finally, the Uchiha pulled his stare back up to her face, giving her a look that silently asked permission to touch the skin he had just uncovered. The kunoichi gave him a shy nod, suddenly feeling nervous and a little giddy, butterflies dancing in her stomach as Sasuke let his hand trail over her collarbone and then down into the valley between her breasts.

His calloused hand was warm and gentle as it smoothed over her skin, his touches unhurried and unexpectedly tender. To Sakura�s surprise, he didn�t immediately go for her chest but wandered thoroughly over her stomach and sides first, as if he were a blind man trying to formulate a picture of her by feel.

Sakura could hear her own breathing quicken and become slightly choppy but Sasuke remained calm, seemingly fascinated by the supple body beneath him. He let his fingers slide between her ribs, a thumb trace an invisible line from her sternum to her belly button, a broad palm flatten over abdomen. His touches were soothing and sweet, not at all like Itachi�s forceful manipulation of her. Everything about what they were doing was different from her prior experience and Sakura was beginning to feel like this was truly her first time. Physically her virginity may have been gone but she still retained the nervous anticipation of a girl previously untouched.

His hand stroked the sensitive skin under her right breast, causing her to shiver.

�Sasuke�� she panted softly, causing him to look up from his ministrations. The shinobi gave her a smirk and moved up to kiss her, claiming her lips gently while still letting his hand wander her body while the other one held his weight so as not to crush her. When his tongue slid past her lips, she felt his fingers gently brush over her right breast, sending sparks of pleasure along her nerve endings. She couldn�t repress the moan that welled up inside her and her throaty sounds only increased his courage. As he tongue tangled with hers, he cupped the soft mound of flesh in his palm before moving it in slow circular motions, treating her like a delicate flower whose petals he was afraid to bruise.

�Mmm�more.� She groaned against his mouth and he complied, giving her breast a soft squeeze before moving to let his thumb slide back and fourth over the hardened nipple.

Her shuddering gasp was all the encouragement he needed, Sasuke broke the kiss and moved down her body until his head was even with her heaving bosom. Gently, almost tentatively, he ran the tip of his tongue over the fleshy fullness of her left breast. When she sighed blissfully, he applied a little more pressure to his tongue as he dragged it over her skin to her nipple.

Sakura�s hands slid up her lover�s back to bury themselves in his thick black hair as his tongue flicked over her pebbled little nub. She could feel waves of pleasure resonating wildly through her body and collecting in her core, making her feel hot and wet, a feeling she hadn�t experiences since her encounters with Itachi. Only now, everything felt so right. There was no guilt or anger at feeling such amazing sensations, only pure, unwavering love, love she had felt for this man before she even really understood what the word meant. Now, finally, all her emotions were being manifested as she clung helplessly to her team mate and friend as he worshipped her body as if it were the most sacred of temples.

Sasuke was nervous to say the least. Girls had always been more of a nuisance to him than anything else but he now knew that this particular woman was one that he could not live without. Expressing with his body, what he couldn�t do in words, he did his best to make Sakura understand what she meant to him. Her lithe body cushioned his as he let his tongue swirl playfully over one hardened nipple before taking it into his mouth and sucking it tenderly. He couldn�t help but smirk as she arched involuntarily at the action, offering more of her sweet flesh to him.

In all honesty, Sasuke had never been with a girl before. He had never really desired one since the thought of revenge was all consuming, leaving little energy for anything else. But now he was here with this beautiful woman and he found he was a little unsure of himself. However, her overly responsive body gave him clues to what he should do and judging from the way her body was trembling and the soft whimpers falling from her lips, Sasuke guessed he must be doing at least something right.

He released her nipple with an audible pop and blew air softly over the dampened flesh, causing her to squirm, pitiful whimpers escaping her as she tried to pull him back onto her breast with the hands firmly rooted in his hair.

The Uchiha let out a soft chuckled and tilted his head up to look at her.

�Have a little patience. I don�t know about you, but I want this to last as long as possible. I meant it when I said I don�t want to rush anything.�

His loving words were enough to break through break through the haze of lust that had overcome her and she couldn�t help but smile as elation swept through her. There was no doubt in her mind that he truly cared about her for HER, not for her body or because she�d be fun to play with every now and then. Itachi had called her a toy and had treated her like one and the result was a dirty feeling that wouldn�t wash away no matter how much soap and water she used. But Sasuke�Sasuke wasn�t only taking from her, taking his own pleasure, but giving her his heart in return. Emotions were racing back and forth between the two of them, even without speaking a word and Sakura knew that this had been what her experience with Itachi had lacked.

He let his mouth return to her chest, this time drawing her other nipple in to suckle and nip while his free hand rolled the nub he had just abandoned between his fingers.

The kunoichi�s speech was reduced to incoherent moans and whimpers and she writhed beneath him on the bed. Her skin felt like it was on fire and she thought she might burn up at any second. His touches felt so good but the ache between her legs was practically painful. She let her knees fall open and wrapped her legs around his back tightly, letting her pelvis rise against his abdomen in a steady grind in an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure.

She heard Sasuke growl softly against her breast, lifting his head to release her nipple from the hot cavern of his mouth.

�You really are impatient.� He chuckled, looking over her flushed form. He could feel the dampness of her shorts against the bare skin of his rippling stomach and knew she was as probably as heated at he felt. Her breathing was coming in harsh, irregular gasps and her hair was draped over the pillow in a tangle of soft, silky pink. He had never imagined that his team mate, the girl he had known since they were twelve, could grow up to be such a ravenous beauty. He had been such a fool, ignoring her all these years. He had been given the chance to be with the world�s perfect woman and he had almost missed it, yet by some merciful twist of fate, his eyes had been opened and now here they were and he finally saw her in a new light. She was grown, capable, sexy beyond all imagination and above all, breathtakingly beautiful, and right now she had eyes only for him. What the hell had he done to get so lucky?

�Sasuke?� she panted questioningly when the Uchiha did little more than silently stare at her, taking in her face and heaving chest as if he still couldn�t quite believe what he was seeing.

Her voice snapped him out of his trance and he shook his head to clear his thoughts.

�Sorry, I was just�thinking. I�I�m just glad that we are together�like this.�

�Few people are lucky enough to find what they weren�t really looking for.� Sakura quoted with a smile, his mysterious words from before now suddenly making sense. �I guess you�re one of the lucky ones.�

�Yeah, I guess so.� Sasuke said, grateful that she seemed to understand so easily what he meant without needing him to vocalize further.

Sasuke moved up her body to taste her lips once more. She was so sweet; he knew it was a taste he wouldn�t be able to get enough of.

Her hands continued to fist themselves in his hair, her fingernails running through the black strands, making his scalp tingle, or tugging softly as her hips began to once again initiate their rolling movement against him, only this time, it wasn�t against his stomach but a very hard lump that had formed in his pants.

�Sakura�� he groaned, as fire erupted over his groin and coiled in the pit of his stomach.

Not giving her the chance to arouse him further, he began to slowly descend down her body once more, licking and kissing over silky skin until he was at the waistband of her shorts. He lifted his head to make eye contact with her as he began to slide the dark material down over her hips, forcing her to uncross her legs from behind him.

Sakura did nothing to stop him, just bit her bottom lip softly as obsidian orbs met those of sea foam. The material was down to her knees before he shifted his eyes back to her body, kissing her calves and ankles as the fabric slid past them.

Finally, after he had pulled the garment down her eternally long legs, he let his eyes take her in from head to toe, and felt his mouth suddenly go dry at the sight of her. She was devastatingly beautiful and yet so vulnerable, fragile despite her enormous physical strength.

Suddenly, images popped into his head unbidden, images of this same beautiful body spread out for his brother�s delight. The moving pictures Itachi had projected into his head during the battle began to replay and he heard her pleasured gasps mingle with her pleas for him to stop.

With clenched fists and darkened expression, Sasuke watched the memory unfold, seeing his brother�s smirking face as he simultaneously tortured and pleasured the pink haired woman he had pinned. How could one individual be so inhumane? If he had the chance to kill him again, he would make sure to do it slowly and painfully, starting with�

�You�re thinking about him aren�t you?�

Instantly Sasuke was back to reality. Sakura�s serene face had taken on a saddened expression, her own memories of the horrible experience brewing in the troubled depths of her eyes.

His silence was enough to confirm her question. Slowly, she drew her legs up to herself, propping her body up with one hand and draping the other across her bare breasts.

�You�re thinking about what he did when he was with me��

She turned he face away, too ashamed to even look at him. She knew this wouldn�t be an easy thing for either of them to forget, but she wanted to try. She wanted to move on. She should have known it wouldn�t be so simple to start a relationship with Sasuke and put this all behind them. Would he always think about him every time he touched her skin, would he always retain the thought of who had been with her first?

Sasuke saw the guilt and remorse wash over her almost as visibly as if it were a shirt she had pulled over her head. The way she suddenly covered herself self consciously and how she averted her eyes, casting them down to the rumpled sheets was a dead giveaway that she was still hurting from what her brother had done. Maybe it wasn�t such a good idea to go through with this after all.

�Sakura�I��

�I know�� she said in almost a whisper, cutting off whatever he was going to say. �I know that I�m dirty, that I�m used, and by your brother no less, and I know it�s not an easy thing to forget about when you�re with me. If you hate the idea of going where your brother has already been, I understand.�

She tilted her chin down even further so her hair obscured her face, but even the pink strands couldn�t hide the tears that began to roll down her cheeks to fall into her lap.

Sasuke had been almost certain his heart had died along with his family all those years ago but this brave little kunoichi had proved him wrong, reawakening in him emotions he hadn�t thought he was capable of feeling anymore. Now that same heart constricted painfully in his chest at the sight of her suffering. They had been living together for months but he had never seen her cry, not since that day in the hospital. Had she been holding it all inside? Putting on a brave face just for him? Why would she do that when he had tried to make it clear that he was here for her, even if he wasn�t sure what to do? All she had to do was say the word and he would do anything if it could ease her pain just a little bit.

Seeing her curled up in the sheets now, seemingly too disgusted with herself to even look at him was the emotional equivalent of the Chidori attack to his chest. It hurt, probably as much as she was hurting. She had called herself dirty, how could she even think that when she was nothing but strong and beautiful, fighting her way through her ordeal while still being a crutch for him as he limped along his own path of psychological healing?

Gently, he drew her into his arms and maneuvered himself so she was in his lap, cradled against his chest.

Sakura�s tears were silent but he could feel her trembling against him as she let out her pent up sorrow. He stroked her hair softly, not really knowing what else to do. Where was Naruto when you needed him? He was so much better than him when it came to things like this. Then again, he wasn�t keen on the idea of his obnoxious team mate seeing Sakura without a scrap of clothing on her.

�Shh, it ok.� He soothed. �You�re not dirty and I would never think that about you.�

Sakura just continued to shudder in his arms and he could feel her hot tears dampen his chest. Once again Sasuke felt rage build in side him at his brother and himself. Why did Itachi do this to her and why couldn�t he be there to save her?

The stoic ninja swallowed down his anger before it could grow. Now was not the time to dwell on such things. Sakura was here and she needed him and this time, he could actually help her.

He continued to hold her, forgetting she was naked. If her nudity had registered, a blush might have spread over his cheeks again but as it was, he just continued to hug her to him.

When she had finally calmed down enough she looked up at him with tear-bright eyes, her irises an even more extraordinary green than usual.

�I guess after all these years I�m still just a cry baby. I��

�You�re not a crybaby and you�re not dirty. You�re beautiful.�

Sakura�s eyes widened almost hopefully before she look away sadly. �I wish that were true.�

�It IS true.� Sasuke insisted. �I don�t know why thoughts of my brother came into my head just now but I promise it wasn�t because I was second guessing being with you or considering you undesirable.�

Sakura�s eyes shifted back to him cautiously.

�The only reason I am reluctant to do this is because I want it to be the right time for YOU. If this is too much too soon then let�s wait. I promise I�ll still be here.�

�I�I want this. I do. It�s just that, I�m so�how could you want��

Sasuke was in no mood to hear the woman in his lap belittle herself one more time. He caught her chin in his hand and slanted his mouth over hers to both silence her and communicate that yes indeed he wanted her very very much, no matter what she said about herself.

Sakura stiffened momentarily but then melted into the kiss, deciding not to fight him when the renewed passion coming from him was undoubtably genuine.

Sasuke shifted her a little in his lap until her chest was pressed against his and a toned leg was at either side of him. He bent his knees, giving her something to lean back against but only succeeded in pushing her closer against him.

Her arms wound around his neck desperately and her fingers sunk into his hair, searching for something that only he could give her and Sasuke complied, pouring his emotions into the kiss as his hands wrapped around her waist.

Almost instantly the fire between them was rekindled, only now she sought his lips and his touch even more urgently, wordlessly begging for him to confirm with his body the words he had spoken to her. The Uchiha bit back a moan when he felt her hips come down on his hardened member, still trapped inside his pants. She gasped against his lips and began to grind against him harder, spreading heat and wetness all over him as she rolled her hips incessantly.

As good as it felt, Sasuke had to slow her down. She was too frantic, too eager to feel anything that might make her forget about her pain. But Sasuke didn�t want to be a temporary answer. He wanted to heal her completely.

In one smooth move, he flipped them forward, pushing her onto her back, her head near the foot of the bed and her silky pink tresses cascading off the edge. He lowered her body onto hers and pressed her down so she couldn�t wriggle or writhe and took her hands in his. He would slow things down and show her that he didn�t think she was dirty, but that he in fact revered her, respected her, and actually needed her as much as she did him.

She opened her mouth to speak but he silenced her with a finger to her lips before he lowered his head to her neck and once again began the slow, leisurely process of touching every inch of her body until it was burned into his brain.

His mouth worked over her skin and latched onto a newly hardened nipple while his hand fluttered teasingly along her thighs. Every small brush of his fingers against her liquid core earned him a soft cry and Sasuke reveled in the sound as if it were the most beautiful music he had ever heard.

He smoothed his palm over her womanhood and cupped her softly, feeling her wetness dampen his palm. The heat emanating from her was incredible and Sasuke had no doubt she was feeling the same torturous pressure inside as he was.

Drawing his hand away to run through the downy patch of pink hair directly above her slit, Sasuke rose off her just long enough to discard his pants before sinking back down onto her warm, wonderful body.

For a moment, he just stroked a hand over her cheek, even though his rigid manhood was throbbing against her inner thigh. Her legs had already fallen open for him and he lay between them. All her had to do was slide himself in.

�I�m ready.� Sakura panted softly before he even had to ask. Sasuke nodded silently and leaned down to kiss her as his hand grasped his length and guided it to her opening.

Twin moans of desire were muffled against each others lips as the head of Sasuke�s member pushed into her waiting body. He could feel her muscles contract around him instantly and try to pull him deeper inside. Using every ounce of will power, he kept himself from ramming in to her roughly and instead sunk in slowly, inch by inch, until his entire length was buried within her.

When he was finally fully inside her, he pulled back from the kiss and slipped a hand under her head, cradling her gently while the other held most of his weight off her body.

Even without moving, he could feel her inner muscles quiver and ripple around him as she adjusted to the invasion. The feel of her was so exquisite, so unlike anything Sasuke had ever previously experienced, that for a moment he nearly forgot how to breathe.

This was the closest two people could possibly get. He was joined mind, body and soul with the woman he had known before they had even been dubbed genin. He never thought he would have ever let anyone come so close to him but now that he was with her, he couldn�t imagine life any other way.

�Are you ok?� he whispered, gazing into lucid pools of green.

Sakura nodded and uttered a single word.

�Move.�

The kunoichi moaned softly, her eyes sliding shut as Sasuke set up a slow and steady rhythm, rolling his hips against hers. Reflexively, her legs wrapped around him once more as her arms looped around his neck. How could the same act feel so different? Doing this with Sasuke felt like the most beautiful, natural thing in the world, making her heart feel so full of love she thought it would burst. He was looking at her with a tender, awed expression that Sakura had never seen him wear before in her life. Everything he couldn�t voice, all the words he couldn�t express were visible in his eyes and Sakura felt tears leak from her own, her joy hardly containable.

Sasuke was immediately concerned upon seeing the moisture glisten on her cheek.

�Sakura, are you alright, have I done something wrong?�

�No. It�s just that I�I never thought I could be this happy.�

Sasuke knew what she meant for he too had thought himself incapable of feeling what he was feeling. One look at her sent his heart soaring. Why the hell hadn�t he seen her for what she was all these years? He had almost lost the most precious thing he knew, but he had been gifted with a second chance to see through his ignorance. After everything it took to get her back, he would be damned to ever let her go again.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to the bead of moisture, kissing away her tears without really realizing he was doing so. Her lithe body rocked beneath his as he savored every inch of her wrapped around him, the softness and suppleness of her tender flesh invaded his senses as his own chiseled body moved against hers in a ceaseless rhythm.

Sakura�s legs tightened around his waist, trying to push him deeper into her as her hips lifted to meet his.

�Faster.�

Sasuke was obliged to obey and quickened the pace of his thrusts, marveling at how easily he slid in and of her hot, wet body. She was so tight and yet he fit inside her perfectly, as if they had been made for each other. He felt her hands shift from his neck to his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin as she clung to him helplessly.

�Oh god�Sasuke! I�m�Im going to��

The dark haired shinobi tried to slow down, not wanting their coupling to be over so soon, but Sakura was already too close to the edge. He felt her back arch beneath him and her legs clamp around him hard enough to force the air from his lungs as she shuddered in his arms. The feel of her muscles rippling around his length was nearly enough to make his eyes roll back but he hung on, determined to see his lover�s face at her pinnacle of bliss.

He was rewarded with one of the most beautiful sights he had ever witnessed. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her lips parted, her face contorted in extreme pleasure. The Uchiha was only able to last a few more thrusts before his own orgasm swept over him. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and came in a series of scalding hot pulsations, his whole body on fire as he emptied his seed within her before collapsing in exhaustion.

The scent of sweat and sex permeated his nostrils as he lay on top of her, trying to catch his breath. He was surprised he was left feeling so drained. Even hours of training didn�t leave him feeling this weak. With the last of his strength, he rolled onto his side, taking the panting kunoichi with him until she was nestled in his arms, her cheek pressed to his heaving chest.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, but finally Sakura broke the silence.

�I felt it.�

�What?�

�I felt it�what you were trying to say. I know you mean it too.�

�Sakura, I�I, I really do lo�I��

Damn it! Why was it so hard to say those three simple words? Maybe because he hadn�t said them since he was a child to his mother. After his family was killed, he really didn�t have many people to say that too. Or maybe it was because saying them aloud scared the shit out of him. Loving her meant making her a target, people possibly hurting her to get to him. Even if Itachi was dead couldn�t someone else possibly conceive a plan against the last remaining Uchiha that involved using the poor kunoichi?

Even as he thought these thoughts, Sasuke knew it didn�t matter. His heart had already made its choice and it was not one he had any control of changing.

�It�s ok.� Sakura said, smiling slightly against his sculpted chest. �It doesn�t have to be now. You have time�we have time�don�t we?�

Even though they were both shinobi, a group of people who could loose their lives suddenly on any given day, Sasuke knew that every moment given to him from this point on would be at the kunoichi�s side, no matter what his common sense tried to tell him.

He looked down to meet a pair of hopeful eyes.

�Yes.� He whispered, twining a lock of her strawberry hair around his finger. �We have time.�

~~~~~

Ugh, done at last! My first completed fic. Yippee! I�m sorry it took soooo incredibly long to update. I�m still not completely happy with it but I am burnt out to the max on this fic and just wanted it to be finished! I hope someone out there still found it worthwhile. I hope the WAFFy fluffy ending didn�t give anyone cavities.

In other news, I�ve decided to become a beta, so if you have any Naruto stories you want to send me, the e-mail is j_pop_princess@hotmail.com. I�m actually pretty punctual about get stories back to people. Anyways, reviews are VERY much appreciated, especially since this story is done. Tell me what you think of it over all. I have a new fic in my head but details aren�t yet concrete. Updates on existing stories will come�eventually. Thank you all for reading this story and I�ll try to get more up soon!
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