everything is alright.docx

8/14/2019 Everything Is Alright.docx

1/141

Everything Is Alright

"Did you hear? He's back"

"The Uchiha traitor? I can't believe he'd show his face after what he did!"

"Do you think he's as handsome as he was when he left? Should I break up with my boyfriend?"

Sakura pointedly ignored the brief snippets of conversation she couldn't help but overhear as shewalked to the hospital. She knew that the villagers had the right to think badly of herteammateby betraying the village, he'd jeopardized them all. But she couldn't help but beangry by their unabashed gossip, they way they presumed to know anything about him.

Of course, one could argue the same thing about her and Naruto, now.

Upon entering the hospital, she was greeted by a harassed-looking, middle-aged nurse. "Sakura-san, thank goodness you're here! The Uchiha boy is refusing to let us treat himhe won't letanyone change his bandages, he won't let us monitor his heart-rate, he knocked the tray of food

all over the floor"

"Relax, Notoko-san," Sakura soothed. "I'll take care of it. Which room was he in, again?"

"Room 57," the nurse breathed, greatly relieved. "But be careful, Sakura-san, he's been veryuncooperative. I was afraid he would punch me when I tried to give him a shot."

Sakura smiled a little. Uncooperative. If there was ever a word for Sasuke, that was it. "I'll takemy chances. Could you tell Tsunade-sama that I'd like to see her later? Thank you."

Notoko bustled away as Sakura adjusted the messenger-bag on her shoulder and, after grabbinga file from the front desk, headed towards the dark-eyed boy's room.

--

Sakura had changed, Sasuke noticed idly as the girl entered his hospital room, rifling through amanila folder. She looked up briefly and offered him a distracted smile. "Good morning, Sasuke-kun. Did you sleep well?" Her voice was soft and distant, and Sasuke could tell she wasn'texpecting an answerwhich was good, because he wouldn't have offered one anyway.

Her pin-straight, pastel pink hair brushed her shoulders and framed a delicate face with highcheekbones, a small nose, and peach-colored skin. The lashes that ringed her green eyesbrushed her cheeks as she read a paper. She was only about 5"5, with a slim build. The top shewas wearing was sleeveless and dusty green, with a black skirt and black leggings. A navy bluemessenger-bag was slung over her right shoulder.

Unlike when she was thirteen, her stride was not awkward and hesitantstill not graceful, butsmooth. She emitted a quiet confidence, and Sasuke realized she must hold some amount ofauthority if she was able to pass the ANBU members guarding his door. She was almost-pretty,he decided, and realized he must be extremely bored if he took the time to assess her like this.

"Alright," she said, apparently having found the paper she was looking for. She dragged a chairover to the side of his bed and sat down, her left leg tucked under her. "It seems you broke yourleft leg and two of your fingers, sprained your right wrist, cracked two of your ribs, and had a


2/141

mild concussion. It's strange that's all, considering you fought someone so powerful. I'massuming this was mainly a genjutsu-oriented battle, then?"

Sasuke shrugged. It had been for the first three-fourths of it, before it progressed to ninjutsuand a bit of rapid taijutsu.

Both of their heads turned towards the door at the same time to see Neji enter the room,appearing, could it be, almost disheveled.Almost. The pale-eyed young man coolly ignoredSasuke and looked to Sakura, his expression carefully neutral. "Sakura, could I speak to you,please? It's important."

Sakura blinked at him and smiled uncertainly. "Of course, Neji. Do you mind waiting a littlewhile, though? I just need to finish up with Sasuke-kun."

"I'd rather not wait," he said, calmly but firmly.

Sakura regarded him quietly for a moment before turning back to Sasuke. "Do you mind,Sasuke-kun? It'll only be a minute."

Sasuke shrugged, his indifference clear. However, he couldn't help but wonder in a detachedmanner when Sakura had become acquainted with Hyuuga Neji.

--

Sakura followed Neji to the end of the hallway, out of earshot of the ANBU guarding Sasuke'sdoor. "What is it, Neji?" she inquired a bit apprehensively. She knew he wouldn't interrupt herwith a patient to chat about the weather. She doubted he'd ever chat about the weather,anywayor chat, for that manner.

"Sakura," he began steadfastly, "I don't think that you should really be putting too much effortinto reacquainting yourself with Uchiha Sasuke. I know that you still consider him a friend, but I

don't think it's in your best interesthe's" He broke off, eyeing her.

"A traitor?" Sakura finished for him, deceptively mild.

Neji looked her in the eyes. "Yes."

Sakura didn't speak for a moment, struggling to curb a sharp retort. Despite her pretense ofnonchalance when speaking with the nurse, Notoko-san, Sasuke's return affected her deeply.She was quite aware that she still cared about him a great dealshe even knew she loved him,though whether it was still in a romantic sense was debatable. She'd been fighting with herselfnot to run her hands over Sasuke's face, through his hair, to assure herself that he was real, thathe was there, that her Sasuke-kun had finally come home.

"Neji," she said quietly, "thank you for your concern. But I'd rather you stayed out of it." Neji'seyes narrowed slightly, and he seemed almost offended. "Even after all this, I trust Sasuke-kun.He's my teammate, and I'll always help him when he needs me."

He appeared to choose his words carefully. "Just be cautions, then. You're a smart girl, Sakura.I don't want you to get" he bit off the last word, his face settling again into cultured placidness."That's all, then. I apologize for wasting your time."


3/141

Sakura grinned at him with slightly forced cheer. "A conversation with you is never a waste oftime, Neji. You're just such a barrel of laughs, you know?"

One corner of his mouth turned up. "Well, one of us needs to be cheerfulyou're always sodepressing."

Sakura nodded, feigning solemnity. "Yes, my therapy can only get me so far." She smiled at himsoftly. "Really, though, thanks for worrying about me, Neji." Aware that she was making himuncomfortable, she touched his arm lightly. "I'm going to get back to Sasuke-kun, now. I'll seeyou."

--

Sasuke didn't look up when Sakura re-entered the room and sat back down. "Sorry aboutmaking you wait," she said, smiling apologetically.

He grunted indistinguishably, his eyes trained on the minute stitching of his sheets.

"Well, they did a good job patching you up last night, but you have to stay in the hospital foranother week or so." When Sasuke glared at her, she responded with a mild one of her own."Sasuke-kun, you have to stay herethere's no arguing that. And you have to do what thenurses tell you to doI was informed of your shenanigans earlier this morningyes, Sasuke-kun, shenanigans, don't make that face. Really, the nurses know what's best for you, and they'reonly doing their jobs. You could try to be nicetalk about the weather, or something. Yeah."

She exhaled loudly, ruffling her bangs. After grabbing her bag and returning the chair to itsoriginal position, she paused on her way out the door. Ducking her head so that her hair swungforward and veiled her face, she asked quietly, "Why did you come back?"

Sasuke only answered, voice raspy with disuse, when her hand once again reached for thehandle on the door. "Where else was I supposed to go?"

"You could have gone back to Sound," she pointed out mildly, but Sasuke detected theunderlying tension.

He gave her a blank stare, slightly irritated that he couldn't see her face. "Their forehead-protectors are gay."

Sakura's head jerked up, eyes wide, and started laughing in a way that was both surprised andincredulous. Was what he said really the unprecedented?

She turned to face him fully, and smiled, green eyes clear and gentle. "Sasuke-kun, I'm gladyou're home."

--

Sakura knocked on the door to her master's office, still smiling slightly. Sasuke had never beenthat frank with her, unless he was criticizing her. It made her feel like maybe things would bedifferent this time, like maybe she and Sasuke could really, truly be friends.

"Come in."


4/141

After shutting the door quietly behind her, Sakura went to stand directly in front of the Hokage'sdesk, and asked directly, "What are you going to do about Sasuke-kun?"

The Godaime sighed and rubbed her temples. "I actually had a favor to ask you about that. Hecan't leave the village for two years, and he can't go on missions for three. He is to be keptunder 24/7 surveillance for a year."

Sakura bit her lip. "So there's no chance he could be executed?"

Tsunade laughed humorlessly. "No. After I laid out his options for him, he coughed upinformation on the Sound and the Akatsuki. And he did kill Orochimaru, Deidara, and Itachi,which we are thankful for. It would be a shame to let the Sharingan disappear from Konoha,anyway."

Sakura wasn't sure she liked hearing her teammate's life be judged by the value of his blood, butkept silent. She really should be grateful. Traitors were rarelyalmost nevertreated soleniently.

"There's a slight problem, however." Tsunade actually looked a bit uncomfortablethat wasnew.

"Hmm?"

"In order to be kept under 24/7 surveillance, someone needs to live with him, but he hasvehemently refused to let some random ANBU guards live in his family's house. Normally I woulddisregard this, but he seemed adamant about it, and I'd rather he be as willing and complacentas possibleif the villagers know he's raising a fuss, they'll get anxious. Very anxious. Sowould you be willing to live with him?"

Sakura's mouth dropped open, an uncouth response her mother would have criticized her for."Iwhat? Me? Tsunade-sama, that" That what? It wasn't like it meant anything. She'd just be

his warden, of sorts. But, Christ, how awkward would that be? And, anyway, she didn't havetime to babysit him, she reminded herself.

"What about my work in the hospital?"

Tsunade shrugged. "Drag him along, and if he starts scaring the patients, lock him in your office.I'd ask Naruto to stay with him, but he'll be on a lot of upcoming missions, dealing with theSound and ferreting out the last members of the Akatsuki. When he is in the village, though, youcan hand the Uchiha over to him. I really don't expect him to try anything, but you could handlehim well enough until you got back-up if he did decide to try and escape."

Sakura bit her lip. "Well okay, but Sasuke-kun won't be very happy about it," she warned. Oh,the beauty of the understatement.

Tsunade shrugged again. "If given the choice between you and an ANBU guard, I'm confidenthe'll pick you. You were his teammate, after all." Yes, because that counted for so much in thelong run, Sakura thought bitterly.

"If you say so..."

Tsunade smiled at her encouragingly, sensing the inner turmoil behind the affected detachment."You'll do fine. If he starts giving you any trouble, just punch him."


5/141

Sakura smiled in a noncommittal sort of way. "I was planning on it."

--

Only when she was lying in her bed that night did she allow herself to worry. Sasuke hadgrudgingly agreed to let her live with him, as Tsunade had predicted. Sakura wondered whether

she would be able to live with him after almost seven years of absence. It was a dauntingthought.

Rewritten: 3/6/10.

Takes place after the Itachi-Sasuke fight.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto--or Sasuke, or Sakura, or anyone else. Do I wish I did?Definitely. That doesn't seem to have an impact on the universe, however


Sasuke was not pleased, to put it mildly. The idea of allowing Sakura, a person who did not bearthe Uchiha name, did not display their fan on her back, to live in his ancestral home wasludicrous, insulting. Still, it was better than some random ANBU officer. Besides, it was only for ayeartwelve months, three hundred and sixty-five days, it was all relative. Yes, he was sure thatthe next time he checked, the year would be over and he would have his house to himself.

It didn't make it any less awkward.

He could tell that Sakura was just as uneasy about the living arrangement as he was. She hadn'tspoken much while they walked to the Uchiha manor, though Sasuke was starting to suspectthat she wasn't as chatty as she'd been in their Genin days, back when she'd blabbered

incessantly whenever she was nervous or upset or happy. He had to admit that he appreciatedthe change.

After walking quickly through the deserted Uchiha sector, they arrived at the house Sasuke hadgrown up in. It was exactly the same as he rememberedcold, desolate, and empty. Home.

Disconcerted, Sasuke noticed that what he could see of the outside house so far was cleannodust, no grime. (But blood, blood everywhere, invisible to the human eye, but the Sharingan hadalways been special, hadn't it?) Who had? He glanced at Sakura, frowning.

She correctly interpreted his look. "I hired a Genin team to clean the house a couple of daysago," she explained. "I made sure they didn't move anything or throw anything out, but now it's

fit for human habitation." (No, not humans, just ghosts and memories and echoes.)

The inside of the house was immaculateGenin these days were more thorough, he supposed. Itwas eerie how it looked exactly as it had the last time he'd been here, twelve years ago,furiously scrubbing at the floor, trying to rid it of the blood stains, while the chafed skin on hispalms and knuckles dripped and only worsened the problem.


6/141

His emotions must have been evident on his face, for Sakura was watching him, obviouslyconcerned. He almost expected her to revert to her old ways and fling her arms around him,crying, and whispering to him that it's alright, everything is alright.

Instead, she walked by him towards what had once been a guest room and brushed herfingertips over his left hand, which had been clenched into a fist, dead-white. It was quick,

fleeting, but it soothed Sasuke a bit. It must have had something to do with being a medic"healing hands" and all that.

--

Sasuke had been lying on his bed for over an hour, scowling and fidgeting. He wanted to get outof the house, to do something, but he couldn't go anywhere without Sakura. The year seemedpretty bleak.

A knock on his door sounded. Sakurait couldn't have been anyone elsestepped in. "Hey,Sasuke-kun. You're not doing anything dangerous or illegal, are you?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. Obviously she had gotten more flippant while he'd been gone.

She smiled unperturbedly at his obvious disdain. "I'm supposed to check. It's the whole reasonI'm here, anyway." She sat down on his bed, and he edged away from her. "I'm going to go tothe marketthere's no food in the house. Do you want to come?"

"It's not like I have a choice," he pointed out blandly.

She shrugged. "I know, I just thought it would be polite to ask. Come on." She grabbed hisforearm, and tugged him to his feet with surprising strength.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and pulled his arm away, shoving his hands in his pockets. Sakuradidn't seem offendedin fact, he doubted she even noticed, as she'd left the room a second

later, and had to stick her head back in. "You coming?"

Her eyes were very green, he noticed.

"Hn," he muttered, and followed her slowly, listening to her footsteps reverberate in a house thathad been devoid of sound for so long.

--

The market was so crowded that Sasuke actually had to make an effort not to lose sight ofSakura. If only she were taller, he mused darkly.

Sasuke attempted to blend into the background and wait this torturous ordeal out, but it wasrather difficult with all the stares he was getting. Sasuke ignored them and watched Sakurashop. She was wearing baggy black pants and a pale yellow hoodie, with her hair pulled back ina messy ponytail, away from her face. Still, she had to pause every once in a while to brush herbangs out of her eyes.

Watching her, he had to admit that it was kind of nice to share responsibility for something, tonot have to take care of everything by himself. It was still strange, still foreign, still awkward,but it reminded him of times spent in this very market, shopping for groceries with his mother


7/141

on sunny afternoons. He didn't like that she was able to bring up memories of his mother, but atleast they were pleasant memories.

A ridiculously over-filled shopping cart was being pushed through the crowd by a diminutivewoman who clearly couldn't see where she was going. In the direction it was going, it was boundto crash right into Sakura, who was speaking amiably with the check-out attendant.

Sasuke automatically pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against, intent on pullingher out of the way. At the last second Sakura took a quick, fluid step backwards and to the side,narrowly avoiding being pulverized. She didn't seem alarmed at all and only carried on herconversation as if nothing had happened.

Sasuke gradually rested his weight upon the wall once more, his muscles still tensed. Perhaps,among other changes, this Sakura could take care of herself as well. It almost made him feelunnecessary, expendable. A good portion of his memories of Team Seven involved himselfprotecting her from harm.

A few minutes later Sakura was loading him down with two large baskets of food. "Make yourselfuseful," she ordered, another one tucked in the crook of her arm. He followed grudgingly as she

wove through the crowds, maintaining a distance of five feet between them.

While walking, he rifled through the contents of one of the baskets. Rice, tomatoes (many, hethought approvingly), instant ramen, various frozen foods, bread, eggs, protein bars, apples, andcanned foods were accounted for.

The other basket turned out to contain solely packages upon packages upon muffins; blueberryand chocolate chip and cinnamon chip and double chocolate. Sasuke looked at her. "You likemuffins," he intoned flatly.

She glanced at him. "Quite perceptive, aren't you? Man, your Sharingan can see everything."

He didn't deign to reply.

--

When they arrived back at the house, Sakura immediately went to work storing things in therefrigerator and cupboards. Sasuke sat in one of the kitchen chairs, sharpening a kunai andkeeping an eye on her, making sure she didn't put anything in a weird or unprecedented place.

After she had finished she sat down next to him, propping up her face on her hand. "So, Sasuke-kun, what do you want for dinner?"

He offered a noncommittal grunt as he inspected the lethally sharp blade.

"You realize that it's a very rare occasion that I am willing to make something that requires timeand effort, yes?" she warned. "I'm going to be getting home late from the hospital most nights,so it's either eating out or making something along the lines of instant ramen."

He shrugged, prompting her to sigh. "Fine, but if you don't like it, I will offer you no sympathy."

An hour later they were eating some sort of dish involving fish, vegetables, and rice. It wasn'textraordinary, but it was edible, which was all that mattered to Sasuke. Chewing slowly, he


8/141

looked over at his eating companion. Sakura was reading what appeared to be a very large,most likely very heavy textbook as she ate.

She noticed his eyes upon her and glanced up. "Yes?"

He looked at his plate and moved some rice around. "It's rude to read at the table."

She grinned impishly at him and turned a page that was crammed with ridiculously small print."I never thought I'd see the day you would preach dining etiquette, Sasuke-kun. How's thefood?"

"It's fine," he muttered.

"I'm glad."

A few minutes later Sasuke looked up again. She was watching him carefully, and didn't lookaway when he frowned at her. "It's still fine," he said monotonously.

"I'm still glad."

"Then what are you staring at," he demanded in irritation.

She smiled slightly and turned another page. "Nothing, nothing."

--

The next morning at six AM Sasuke rolled over in bed, swearing under his breath as his alarmrang. After turning it off, he rubbed irritably at his eyes and wandered over to his bathroom. Hewas always in a horrible mood when he woke up, yet he rose early anyway.

After taking a quick shower and throwing on dark gray pants and a loose black shirt, he started apot of coffee in the kitchen.

After a little while Sakura stumbled out of her room, wearing a white camisole and mint greenpajama pants. Her hair was a mess, and it appeared as if every shuffle of her feet was an effort.He would never have guessed she was that disoriented when she woke up.

Moving to brush past her in the hallway, he was surprised when she walked right into him, herhead down and her hair covering her face. Even after she bumped into him, she didn't adjust hercourse and kept trying to walk forward. There was no hope of her slight frame pushing past histall, muscular countenance, and Sasuke, vaguely amused, didn't move out of her way.

Eventually she stepped back a bit and squinted blearily at him. "Who put that wall there?" she

muttered, and he realized she was even more out of it than he thought.

He gripped her shoulders loosely and bent down to look her in the eye. "Sakura, hey. Get agrip."

She tilted her head. " 'suke-ku" she mumbled, before her knees buckled and she collapsedforward.


9/141

Startled, Sasuke caught her as she was falling and moved to prop her up against the wall,shaking her lightly. "Sakura? Hey, Sakura!" She didn't respond, already sleeping deeply.

Frustrated and a little concerned, Sasuke developed an idea. Slipping one arm around hershoulders and the other under her knees, he carried her into the bathroom and set her on herfeet in the shower, while he stood outside, gripping her upper arm to keep her balanced. He

positioned the shower head to aim directly at her face and turned it on unceremoniously.

Three seconds of cold water to the face and Sakura was wide awake, screaming and flailing.Sasuke pulled her out before she slipped and turned off the water, smirking.

Sputtering and livid, she glared daggers at him while pushing her sopping wet hair out of hereyes. "You are dead,Uchiha! Dead, dead, dead! I am going to kill you,do you hear me? Ugh!"She tried to storm past him but slipped on the slick floor. Before Sasuke could catch her sherighted herself, stuck out her tongue at him, and exited the bathroom.

Sasuke heard her muttering some extremely colorful words as she slammed the door to herroom shut, and almost grinned.

Rewritten: 3/6/10.

I have a very shaky, inchoate plot planned out for this baby, so bear with me if sometimesthings don't match up. Oh, and they never met at Orochimaru's lair in this story.

The SasuSaku-ness is going to take a decent amount of time progressing. As stated in thesummary, Sasuke is going to begin to see Sakura as a mother, and even Sasuke's not screwedup enough to harbor romantic feelings toward a maternal figure. I think, anyway. I'll have tocheck on that. After that, I'm fairly confident that something bad is going to happen to Sakura(because Sasuke can never have anything easy in life) and Sasuke will have to help her through

it (a reversal of roles). So, yeah. Don't expect passionate kissing scenes anytime soon--if ever,in all honestly. This story is more about their emotional, psychological relationship than theirphysical one.


"So I was thinking," Sakura began as they walked the dusty streets of Konoha on their way tothe hospital, "that I should get you a collaryou know, in case we ever get separated. I thoughtit could read: 'Uchiha Sasuke. Responds to hey you and that broody guy, will bite if provoked. Iffound, please return to the magnificently awesome Haruno Sakura.' What d'you think?"

"That's a great idea," Sasuke opined sarcastically, his hands stuffed typically in his pockets.

Sakura shrugged her shoulders, a smug expression evident on her face. "I am nothing if not fullof brilliance."

"You're full of something, all right," Sasuke muttered, and casually caught her wrist when shehalf-heartedly tried to smack him upside the head. He eyed her. "And didn't you say you weregoing to kill me?"


10/141

"I'm biding my time," she informed him ominously, a wicked gleam in her eyes. He rolled hiseyes. "Could I have my wrist back, now?"

He was mildly surprised to realize he was still gripping her right wrist lightly. He let goimmediately and she used it to stifle a yawn as Sasuke watched her from the corner of his eye."Are you always that out of it when you wake up?" he asked, referring to her zombie-like state a

few hours previous.

She extracted a protein bar from her messenger-bag and bit into it. "Only in the past couple ofmonths or so. I've been really busy, haven't gotten the chance to sleep much, I guess."

"The hospital's that busy?" he interrogated, a bit doubtful.

She took another bite. "It's not just the hospital." When he frowned, she specified. "I've beenhelping Tsunade-sama with some other stuff and training with a lot of people. And helping Inowith the flower-shop, and going to Ichiraku with Naruto, and playing shougi with Shikamaru. Istill get missions from time to time, as well. I'm an ambassador to Suna occasionally. Oh, and Ihave to go to the Hyuuga Compound once a week to check on Hiashi-sama; his health has beenfailing him recently. I teach some classes at the Academy, too."

Sasuke gave her a look. "That's ridiculous."

"You're ridiculous," she retorted easily, finishing off the last of the protein bar. Sasuke glared ather when she threw the wrapper at him.

--

The hospital was busy as usual, patients being directed every way and nurses bustling about. Ayoung female nurse with brown hair hurried toward Sakura. When Sakura greeted her cordiallythe nurse broke off in the middle of Sakura's name when she caught sight of Sasuke, who hadcome to stand beside Sakura.

The nurse, whose name was Tomoyo, flushed crimson. No, no, dear God, no, Sasuke thoughtmiserably. He had assumed girls would no longer admire him after he betrayed the village.

Sakura obviously noticed the younger girl's reaction, for she was grinning broadly. Sasuke glaredat her fiercely, but she paid him no heed. "Tomoyo-san, this is Sasuke-kun. He'sgoing to be mypersonal assistant. Yeah."

Tomoyo smiled shyly. "It's nice to meet you, Sasuke-kun." She moved to shake his hand, butSasuke backed away swiftly. Willing Sakura to move and cursing his inability to go anywherewithout her, he gave a sharp pull to her arm.

She winced, so Sasuke softened his hold somewhat, but kept an insistent pressure.

She frowned reproachfully at him. "Tomoyo-san, did you need something?"

The brunette snapped out of her trance. "Oh! Shizune-senpai told me to tell you that she left thefiles you were looking for on your desk, Sakura-senpai. By the way, did you fill out the report Irequested?"


11/141

Sakura gestured flippantly with her hand as Sasuke dragged her down the hall. "I'll get it to youtomorrow."

"You said that three days ago!"

"And I'm sure I meant it!" Sakura called over her shoulder as she was pulled around a corner.

"Sasuke-kun, do you even know where you're going?"

That made Sasuke pause and release her arm. "No."

She laughed lightly and poked his arm. "My office is this way. Come."

He scowled darkly at her. "I'm not your dog."

She nodded. "I agree. You'd be more like a donkey, really." She led him to a room somewhereon the seventh floor. It was moderately sized with white walls and a dark blue carpetclearlythe faculty offices differed from the rooms the patients were situated in. There was a black couchagainst the wall facing the door with a coffee table in front of it. On the opposite wall, near the

door, was a large desk overflowing with papers. The rest of the space along the walls was takenup by bookshelves.

She motioned him vaguely towards the couch as she set her bag on the floor. "Sit there. I have abunch of books you can read, or you can do that thing where you reenact the meaning of 'deep,silent contemplation' or whatever."

She took a seat at her desk and Sasuke grudgingly sat on the couch, twirling a kunai idly. It wasin that manner they spent a good three hours punctuated only by Sakura occasionally pacing theroom and mumbling to herself.

Eventually Sakura rose and ran a hand through her hair, sighing. She turned to her dark-hairedcompanion. "I'm going to go make my rounds now. I assume you're staying here?"

He looked up briefly. "I'm allowed to?"

"Tsunade-sama told me you could vegetate here while I made my rounds," Sakura explained,adjusting her bag. Sasuke illustrated his intent by slouching further into the upholstery. Sakurawatched him, bemused. "You are so predictable." He grunted.

Forty-five minutes later a knock sounded on the office door. Sasuke didn't say anything. Itwasn't his office, so the task of greeting anyone who dropped by didn't fall to him.The dooropened. "Sakuoh."

Hyuuga Neji regarded Sasuke coldly. "Where is Sakura?" Sasuke ignored him pointedly. Neji

glared at him. "Listen, Uchiha, if you do anything to"

"Neji?" Sakura brushed past him at the doorway and, Sasuke notice shrewdly, made it a point tostand between the two prodigies.

Neji's quickly lost all signs of his threatening aura and inclined his head formally. "Sakura. Iheard about your hindrance," he said, referring to Sasuke.


12/141


13/141

Sakura bit her lip and appeared to contemplate it for a moment. "I don't see a problem withthat," she said carefully, "as long as you don't leave the building. And tea would be lovely, thankyou."

Hinata nodded. "Just come to the west wing tea room when you're done here." She inclined herhead towards her father and walked towards the door. Sasuke only followed her grudgingly after

Sakura made shooing gestures at him.

A young maid bowed to Hinata as they passed her in the hall, and Hinata smiled kindly at her.When the maid looked up, respect shone in her eyes before she walked quickly down the hall.

They arrived in a small kitchen adjoined to a tea room. "You can sit at the table, Sasuke-san,"Hinata told him. "I'll make tea."

Sasuke ignored her offer and leaned against a wall. Hinata didn't comment on his taciturnbehavior and busied herself setting a kettle on the stove.

She turned to face him when the water was boiling and spoke quietly, but clearly. "I wouldappreciate it if you would try not to trouble Sakura too much. I fear she has been overworkingherself lately. She's the best medic in the village, aside from Tsunade-sama, you know," she saidconversationally.

Sasuke didn't comment; he actually hadn't known. And what was with these people? It wasn'tlike he was trying to be a burden to her. He had never asked for this and would be perfectlyhappy if he didn't have to follow her everywhereat least, as happy as Sasuke ever was.

"My family owes a lot to her. Two years ago, my father had a heart-attack while she was visitingme. If Sakura hadn't saved him, he would have" she faltered and started fiddling with a teacup."Yes, well, I'm just extremely grateful she was there. My sister, Hanabi, greatly admires her, andI think Neji-niisan does as well. What I'm trying to say is"

The kettle started ringing, and she looked grateful to have an excuse to turn away from him. Sheworked silently for a few minutes, setting three cups down on the table and arranging a tray oflight sweets.

With nothing else to do, she took a deep breath. "I don't really know what I'm trying to say. Justtake care of her, okay? She'll work herself to death if given the option. At leastdon't hurt her."

She frowned suddenly, grimness transforming her face. "She was a mess after you left. Naruto-kun could tell you more. I"

Her eyes flickered to the doorway as Sakura walked in, running a hand through her hair. "He'sgoing to be fine," she told Hinata.

The pale-eyed girl smiled in relief and gesticulated for Sakura to sit down. She did, sliding off hernavy blue messenger-bag. "There's a special tea that he should be drinking for his coughI'llwrite out the ingredients. I gave him something to help him sleep, which is what he's doing now.He wouldn't admit it, but I think his arthritis is acting up again, so nag him to keep applying thatointment, would you?"

Sakura noticed Sasuke leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. She glanced atHinata apologetically. "I'm sorry if Sasuke-kun has been being rude to you."


14/141

Hinata shook her head. "No, no." Whether she was saying Sasuke hadn't been rude or wastelling Sakura not to apologize was indeterminable.

Sakura turned to Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun, could you sit down, please?"

"No." He would be damned if he sat down and played tea-party with them.

She sighed. "You are an insufferable brat sometimes, are you aware? Honestly."

Hinata giggled. "You act like his mother."

Sasuke twitched and Sakura smirked. "What a terrifying thought." They chatted for half an hour,discussing people and events, and after Sakura scrawled the tea ingredients on a piece of paper,they departed from the compound.

--

"You can go make yourself something to eat," she told Sasuke when they returned to the Uchiha

Manor. "I have some stuff to do." She headed towards her room, already extracting many papersfrom her bag.

Sasuke shrugged and ambled towards the kitchen, assuming she'd eat later. Three hours later,however, it was ten o'clock, and he still hadn't heard her go to the kitchen.

He knocked on her door and entered without waiting for a reply. She was at her desk, writingsomething. She looked up at him wearily. "Yes?"

"You haven't eaten," he told her flatly.

She shrugged. "I'll eat later. I'm busy."

"Too busy to eat?" He was beginning to see why Hinata worried about Sakura overworkingherself.

She glared at him, obviously irritable from exhaustion. "I'll eat later," she snapped, and opened alarge book abruptly.

Sasuke frowned at her and left the room.Half an hourlater, however, he slammed a plate of rice-balls down on her desk, scattering a few loose papers. "Eat," he ordered.

Clearly surprised, she stared up at him. "You"

"Are telling you to eat," he finished for her, and frowned disapprovingly at her. "Hinata said you

overwork yourself."

"I do not!" Sakura disagreed, indignant.

He sneered condescendingly at her. "Right." He shoved the plate toward her. "Eat."

She glared at him a moment longer before capitulating. "Fine," she sighed. "Thank you."


15/141

For the first time Sasuke noticed the light, subtleshadows under her eyes. He waited until shehad eaten a rice-ball before announcing his departure. "I'm going to bedyou should too."

"I still have work to do."

"Whatever." He wasn't concerned enough to force her to go to sleep. Sakura was a big girl now;

she could dictate her own bedtime. He should get a load of karmic brownie points just for makingher food.

"Goodnight, Sasuke-kun."

"Yeah." Sasuke left and closed her door, but stayed outside her room a moment longer,something akin to worry haunting his breathtaking features.

Sasuke can cook. Yum. (Take that at face-value)

No, Hinata does not stutter in this fic. Not usually, anyway. She's nineteen and I decided thatshe would have grown a backbone. Besides, making the little - marks for stuttering is a lot ofwork...

So, yeah. In case you're one of those people that doesn't notice something unless you're bashedover the head with it (like me), Neji is interested in Sakura romantically. No, this will not beNejiSaku, which I used to like but now find vaguely icky. I'm just using it to add a little tension.And let's face it, we all love to see Sasuke get jealous. Do not deny it, I know all. Boo-rah.

Duuuuuuuude, I really hope Itachi just dies. What would be really awesome is if Sakura cameand found Sasuke after he collapsed, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. Does anyone thinkSasuSaku will still happen in the manga? It kills meto admit it, but NaruSaku is looking morelikely at this point (yuck yuck yuck yuck icky icky icky eew). Opinions?


Naruto, perching on a rooftop, watched as Sakura and Sasuke walked down the street. Sakurawas leading slightly, but she was turned back to face her dark-haired companion, speakinganimatedly and occasionally gesticulating with her hands.

Sasuke walked slowly, but his long legs enabled him to easily keep pace with Sakura's quickerstrides. His hands were, predictably, hidden in his pocket, and his expression was set on hisdefault of impassive. Naruto could tell he was listening, however, because his black eyes wouldoccasionally flicker to Sakura's face, and because when Sakura finished speaking, he answeredshortly in his undoubtedly dispassionate manner.

Sakura stuck her tongue out at him but didn't seem irritated in the slightest. Her hair was backin a messy bun. A few strands that were too short hung around her face, framing it delicately.Her eyes were bright, but Naruto's trained eye could still catch the circles haunting the skinunder her eyes. Still, she looked happy.

His mind made up, Naruto leaped down from his vantage point and landed about ten feet in frontof them. Grinning perkily, he waved. "Oi, Sakura-chan, Sasuke."


16/141

Smiling instantly, Sakura bounced forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Naruto! You're backfrom your mission already?"

"Yep, it was easier than expected," he shrugged, before turning to Sasuke, who had come tostand a bit behind Sakura. "Hey, bastard. I haven't seen you since I dragged you back to thevillage."

Sasuke sneered at him. "Haven't you gotten tired of that stupid orange jacket yet? It's obscene."

Naruto snorted. "What's obscene is the fact that there seems to be an even bigger stick up yourass than there was before."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "While you two sharpen your admittedly lacking wits on one another, Ineed to go to the flower shop. Naruto, will you watch Sasuke-kun, please? It'll take me abouttwenty minutes."

"Of course I'll baby-sit the bastard for you, Sakura-chan," Naruto told her generously. "We'llmeet you at the ramen stand, yeah?"

Sakura sighed. "You really need to expand your dietary horizons." She agreed to meet themthere, regardless.

When Sakura was out of sight, Naruto turned to Sasuke and said seriously, "We need to talk."

Sasuke regarded him indifferently. "We already are."

Naruto ignored him. "Listen, I'm going to make this simple. If you upset Sakura-chan, I will putyour head through a wallany wall, you can pick the wall, but it will be a wall, got it?"

Sasuke appeared frustrated. "Why does everyone assume I'm going to hurt her?"

Naruto glared at him coldly. "Your past speaks for itself, Sasuke." His expression brightened."Anyway, let's go. I think the old man's running low on miso, and I want to have at least threebowls." He sprinted off towards Ichiraku. Sasuke followed reluctantly.

Sasuke was picking idly at a bowl of ramen when Sakura approached them, her eyes narrowedand her mouth turned down. A vase of tiger lilies was cradled to her chest.

Naruto seemed to notice her depressed demeanor as well. "Hey, Sakura-chan, what's wrong?"he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Sakura sat between the two boys and ordered quietly, before sighing and turning to Naruto. "Inotold me that my mother came to the shop earlier today; Ino mentioned that I was coming to pickup some flowers, so my mother left a message with herI have to eat dinner with my parentstonight." Her voice was resigned, her nose wrinkled with distaste.

Naruto winced sympathetically. "Jeez, tough break, Sakura-chan. Is there anything we," helooked pointedly at Sasuke, "can do?"


17/141

Sakura unwound the elastic securing her bun and began fiddling with it. "Could you take Sasuke-kun with you tonight? I don't want to subject him to the torture of spending an evening with mymother."

Naruto grimaced immediately. "I'm so sorry, Sakura-chan; I have a mission briefing tonight, andthen Hinata-chan's father wants to speak with me." He gulped nervously, obviously intimidated

by the imposing Hyuuga patriarch.

Sakura sighed. "That's alright, Naruto. I guess Sasuke-kun will just have to come." She looked atthe thus-far silent boy on her left. "Is that okay with you?"

"Once again, no choice," Sasuke said monotonously.

"And once again, I'm being polite. It's a concept you might want to learn sometime."

Sasuke was sitting on his bed when a knock sounded at his door. He grunted, and the door

swung open to reveal Sakura. She was dressed in a long white skirt and pale pink tank top. Onher feet were black ballet flats; her hair hung straight and smooth around her face. Two smallemeralds were embedded in her ears, and she was wearing a delicate silver necklace with amatching bracelet.

She lookedelegant. Almost-pretty.

"Come on, Sasuke-kun. It would be terrible if we were late for our doom."

Sasuke got to his feet. "You feeling okay?" he inquired cautiously. She looked a bit sick.

She offered him a strained smile. "I'm fine. It's justI haven't seen my mother in a few months,and our last encounter didn't really end well. My mother has been known to hold a grudge."

Sasuke relaxed, his concern sated now that he knew it was something so trivialin his mind, atleast.

She led him out of the house and walked for a good deal of time until they reached a large,secluded house near the outskirts of the village. It was three stories tall and stark white, withlight green shutters. The front lawn was unbelievably green and cut meticulously. The pathwaywas lined artfully with pansies, and Sasuke could vaguely see a lush garden behind the houseand hear a stream gurgling.

"My mother is a landscape designer," Sakura said in response to Sasuke's inquiring look. "Shedesigned the entire yard. It's one of the reasons we moved to Konoha from the city; bigger

yards."

Sasuke had never known she had lived in the city. It seemed to be turning out that there was alot he didn't know about her. He wasn't sure he liked that.

Sakura opened the gleaming gate and stepped onto the pathway, looking for all the world like aconvict heading towards the electric chair. She stopped on the door-step and didn't move to ringthe doorbell.


18/141

Sasuke waited a while before prodding her arm. "Hey."

She glanced at him dully. "I changed my mind. I can't go in there."

"You can."

She shook her head vehemently, growing more agitated by the second. "No, I can't; Sasuke-kun, this is the point in the horror movie when the entire audience is screaming 'Don't go inthere!'"

"You're being dramatic," he informed her, and tapped his knuckles to her forehead lightly. "It'llbe fine."

She bit her lip, but appeared a bit reassured. "Fine, but if my mother throws her knife across thetable at me, I expect you to shield me," she warned him.

He smirked at her, but before her raised hand could press the doorbell, the door burst open. Atall, striking woman stood before them, holding a platter of small finger sandwiches. "You're

late!" she snapped.

Sakura's hand darted out and grabbed a sandwich, which she munched on while her motherwent off on a tirade about promptness and if you're going to eat outside like an animal, you mayas well go find a gazelle to hunt! Then she promptly slammed the door.

As if she were calmed down by her mother's anger, Sakura finished the sandwich slowly andturned to Sasuke. "What are the odds of finding a gazelle around here?" she asked mildly.

"Slim to none," he answered her seriously.

She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. "Let's go." This time she didn't bother toattempt to ring the doorbell and entered quickly.

Sasuke followed her into the house. It was furnished simply and tastefully, but it put Sasuke abit ill at ease. Everything seemed to be a different shade of white.

"Just so you know, this house is really easy to get lost in, so if we ever get separated, just stickclose to the wall. You'll either find your way out eventually or get eaten by a Minotaur."

"You're very helpful," he said dryly. Nonetheless, he kept a loose grip on her upper arm. Hewasn't worried about himself, but trying to find her would be irritating.

"I guess we can just wander around until we get called for dinner," Sakura mused. Her eyesmoved to a staircase, which she tugged Sasuke towards.

Three-fourths of the way up the stairs she tripped on her long skirt and plummeted backwards.Sasuke, right behind her, caught her easily and simply carried her up the few remaining steps.He set her down a good distance away from the staircase as a precaution.

Sakura blinked at him, a bit dazed. "Wow that was scary. Thanks, Sasuke-kun."

"Yeah." He looked around; she hadn't been kidding when she said the house was easy to get lostin. It was built like a maze.


19/141

Sakura was looking around as well. "I always hated this place," she murmured softly, andSasuke was unsure whether he was meant to hear it. She perked up slightly when she saw aparticular door. She took his hand. "C'mon, I want to show you something."

Sasuke allowed her to pull him into a large room occupied only by a grand piano. One wall wasmissing, replaced by a huge window overlooking the garden, which seemed to be bursting with

every type of flower imaginable. Sasuke's ears had not deceived him when they'd been outsidethe house; a small stream wound throughout the garden.

"The piano used to be my dad's, but he never plays it anymore because of the arthritis in hisfingers," she told him quietly as she played with her bracelet, gazing out the window at the sunsetting on the horizon. "My mother didn't want me to become a ninja, so we argued a lot. I usedto come here whenever I was upset; for a couple of years, if I wasn't at the Academy, I was inhere. I'd lock myself in here for hours, all alone." She smiled slightly. "I actually taught myselfhow to play. I'm not sure if I still can anymore." Sakura glanced doubtfully at the dusty piano.

"Try," Sasuke urged impulsively, gently. He surprised himself and didn't know whether to regretit or not.

Her expression told him she was indecisive, but after a moment she walked slowly towards thepiano and sat down at the stool, motioning for him to sit beside her. He hesitated briefly beforelowering himself to the stool gingerly.

She blew the dust off before opening the piano, revealing pristine ebony and ivory keys. Sakuraexhaled slowly and began to play. It was a soft, melancholy tunevaguely nostalgic to Sasuke,which puzzled him. Her fingers fumbled sporadically due to the long period of time she had spentwithout playing, but she got the hang of it near the end of the song, and the last not hung in theair, seeming to vibrate throughout the entire room, ricocheting off Sasuke's ribcage.

Sakura stared at her fingers lingering on the keys for a moment before she smiled brilliantly atSasuke. "I forgot how relaxing this was."

One of the corners of Sasuke's mouth upturned slightly, briefly. Sakura's smiled widened beforeshe stood, smoothing out her skirt. "Come on, then; dinner's probably ready."

He nodded and followed her out of the room.

"Hi, Dad," Sakura greeted a middle-aged man sitting at what Sasuke assumed was the diningroom table. His light brown hair was thinning a bit on top and his face was buried in a largebook. Sasuke could see where Sakura's literary taste came from.

"Ah, Sakura, hello," the man said distantly. "You look lovely."

Sakura rolled her eyes and took a seat while motioning for Sasuke to sit across from her. "Youhave to say that, you're my father."

"Actually, I'm not. I've been looking for the right time to tell you." Apparently he was her sourceof wit as well.


20/141

Sakura sneered at him good-naturedly. "Dad, this is Sasuke-kun. Sasuke-kun, this is my father,Haruno Shigure."

Her father glanced up briefly. His face was pale and lined, but intelligent green eyes regardedSasuke thoughtfully. "It's nice to meet you, Sasuke. I always told Sakura she needed a guarddog since she started living alone. I assume you've been house-trained?"

Sakura nodded seriously. "Yeah, he hasI was surprised.And he knows a bunch of cool tricks;show him the one where you do that really scary glare and you look like you're contemplatingeither murder or brutal maiming."

Sasuke simply gave her a look, less irritated that he thought he should be. Sakura grinned athim, and Sasuke gathered that she got along better with her father than her mother.

Sakura's mother entered the room holding a large platter of covered food. "Well," she saidbriskly, "I believe we can begin to eat."

"It looks great, Mom," Sakura complimented.

Her mother smiled thinly. "Thank you, Sakura, but the food is still covered, so your obviously-rehearsed comment isn't quite appropriate at the moment--unless, along with learning to killpeople, you learned how to see through objects at the ninja academy as well. Is that the case?"

Sakura opened her mouth to throw back a doubtlessly sharp retort when her father intervened."Sakura, did I hear you on the piano earlier?"

Sakura blinked and ducked her head. "Oh, yeah."

Her mother sniffed. "That piano has been sitting there for at least a year, gathering dust with therest of your potential."

The evening went downhill after that.

"I hate her!" Sakura raved as she stormed away from her parents' house. "I despise herandI'm using the true meaning of the word, both to dislike and look upon with contempt!"

Sasuke trailed after her calmly. He had decided it would be better to let her rant for as long asshe need, lest she turn her anger towards him.

Sakura proceeded to go into a very detailed, hideously lengthy, and occasionally side-tracked listof all her mother's faults, ending with: "And she just doesn't listen to me!" she exclaimed. "I

mean, I open my mouth, I can tell it's moving, I feel the words forming on my lips, but it nevergets through to her. Honestly, she's incorrigible!"

She looked at him, clearly expecting him to chime in. Sasuke made a noise in the back of histhroat that he hoped would be taken as agreement.

He couldn't tell whether that's what she took it to be or not when she sighed and faced him. "I'mreally sorry you had to go through that, Sasuke-kun," she told him earnestly, her voice regretfuland apologetic.


21/141

He shrugged. "Whatever." She continued to look at him mournfully. "It's fine," he insisted. "Idon't care."

Sakura gave him a look laced with doubt before turning around and beginning to walk again. "Itmust be nice to not care about anything," she mused out loud, and Sasuke felt a pang of whatmight have been regret or guilt or maybe just a bit of sadness.

That night while he was drifting to sleep, he realized why the song Sakura played had soundedfamiliar: his mother had used to hum it as a lullaby.

...I don't really like this chapter. I kind of ran out of inspiration somewhere in the middle, so it'sreally abrupt and stupid and filler-y. The piano is important, though. So is Sakura's relationshilpwith her parents. Yeah.

In case you were confused (you probably were; I haven't explained this very well in the actualstory and therefore have to resort to the cheater's method of clearing things up in author'snotes; how pathetic), Naruto found Sasuke after he killed Itachi and brought him back to thevillage, but then he had to go on a mission like, right after that. I don't really get it either. Ahwell.

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but the title is inspired by the song "Everything Is Alright"by Motion City Soundtrack. Listen to it, you hear? There's a pretty cool Ouran AMV to it that youcan look up on youtube if you like Ouran. Not sure about any Naruto ones.

By the way, I am totally opposed to alcohol, so there will be no mentions of drinking it in this fic,aside from Tsunade, for obvious reasons. Just because you're old enough to drink it doesn'tmean you should. ALCOHOL IS BAD.

I've already started the next chapter, which is rare--be impressed, be very impressed. And I'msorry about the suckishness of this chapter, guys, really. I'll do better next time--I think. I don'treally love what I've written so far of it. Erm...

Thank you for wonderful reviews--I got some pretty lengthy ones, which made me happy. Andyes, I am making this author's note ridiculously long to make the chapter seem longer. What wasyour first clue?

verything Is Alright

"Hey, Sasuke-kun, wake up."

Sasuke, true to his stubbornly contrary nature, turned away from the voice on his left to face hiswall as he pulled the blankets over his head

Which were promptly torn out of his grasp (not literally torn, he hoped) and thrown to the floor."Sasuke-kun, come on. Wakey wakey, Sasu-chan."

Sasuke growled and held a pillow over his head. Go away, go away, go away


22/141

"Sasuke-kun,please. If you do not get up this instant, I swear I will drag you to the traininggrounds myself," she cautioned, her voice ominously serious.

"Training grounds?" he asked grumpily, he voice muffled by the sleeping apparatus covering hishead.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I can't sleep."

"Can't imagine that feeling," Sasuke said pointedly, gradually becoming conscious.

A thin arm looped around his waist and literally dragged him out of the bed. His normally-quickreflexes were dulled by sleep, but he still managed to land on his feet. He glared at her. "Fuckyou."

She grinned at him. "I'll meet you outside in five minutes." And then she was gone.

"So why the hell are we going to the training grounds?" Sasuke grumbled, scowling. It was 2 AMand they were walking the deserted streets of Konoha to the training area.

She shrugged and gestured vaguely. "I finished all my paperwork, but I couldn't sleep, and therewas no point just lying in bed. So" she shrugged again, which seemed to be a habit of hers.

Sasuke made a noise that could have been taken for either skepticism or irritationin actuality,it was both.

In fifteen minutes they reached the place where they had trained as Genin. It had not changedat all, leaving Sasuke with the uneasy feeling of traveling back in time, back to when they werechildren.

But, no, Sasuke thought, looking at Sakura, she was not the irascible, obsequious child he hadknown anymore. She was still young, her hair was still unusual and her eyes were still bright,but she wasshe was independent now, he decided, and mature. From what he had gathered,she was a virago in Konoha, someone respected and admired. He had to grudgingly admit thathe could understand why: she was accomplished, personable, and overflowing with vitality,confidence and charm. Of course, he would never tell her any of this.

The object of his attention was looking at him as well. "Wanna spar?" she offered.

Sasuke hesitated before nodding cautiously. "Just taijutsu," he told her.

"Okay," she agreed easily.

Sakura had definitely improved, Sasuke thought, from when she was a Genin. Of course, thatwasn't saying a whole lot, but the improvement was drastic. Sasuke was fast, but Sakura wassmall and quick and she seemed to use the least amount of energy possible to narrowly avoid his


23/141

blows. She was very good at dodging, lissome as she was, but Sasuke was fast enough to strikeher a few times.

She took it in stride, not crying out and ending the match as Sasuke had expected her to. Shemanaged to punch him once; it only nicked his shoulder, but it hurt like hell. Sasuke had heardthat she enhanced her blows with chakra. Her slender arms belied her extraordinary strength.

Still, that was the only time, as Sasuke was careful from then on to avoid her hands and feet. Itappeared she was more defensive than offensive.

Eventually he pinned her to the ground and gripped her wrists in one large pale hand while heused the other to keep her on the ground, for he was wary or resting too much of his weight onher small body.

Because Sakura's face was pressed to the ground, her voice was muted and muffled. "Alright, Iget it. You win. Gerroff, you fat jerk."

Sasuke smirked at her, more amused than annoyed. "That's not very nice." He released her,regardless.

Sakura pushed herself up into a sitting position and sneered half-heartedly at him. "Behold, theking of hypocrisy. Anyway, what time is it, do you think?"

Sasuke made a few quick calculations. "Around six," he informed her.

She digested the information. "Okay. If we go back now and shower quickly, we'd have time tostop at a caf Hinata told me about before I have to go to work. Is that alright with you?"

"Whatever."

"Jeez, Sasuke-kun," Sakura sighed. "Have an actual opinion once in a while, they're free."

"You're opinionated enough to compensate for my apparent lack of opinions," Sasuke informedher as they opted to take to the trees, shinobi-style, as their method of getting home.

Sakura gasped in mock surprise. "I do believe that was an opinion! Wow, I am a positiveinfluence on youI'm so proud of myself! I will now officially award myself a metaphorical goldstar. Would you like one too?" she asked politely as she mimed offering him a sticker.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and declined her offer not quite as politely.

Soon they were back at the Uchiha Manor. Both of their rooms were equipped with respectivebathrooms, so they were both ready to leave an hour later. (Sakura was actually ready ten

minutes before he was ready, which amused her to no end. "You are soprissy," she had teased,standing as tall as she could to intentionally muss his naturally unruly hair.)

Sasuke was wearing black pants and a navy blue shirt. This was unsurprising, as his wardrobeconsisted entirely of blue, black, and gray. He was the epitome of boring, which seemed to suithim just fine.

Sakura had slipped into dark gray leggings and a loose, forest green dress. Her damp hair wasdown, but Sasuke noticed she kept a black elastic hair tie around her wrist almost constantly,


24/141

even when her hair was already being held up with another one. Her navy blue messenger bagwas slung casually over her shoulder.

She assessed his attire critically when he appeared, but didn't comment, which he was gratefulfor. "Come on, Sasuke-kun," she said instead as she headed out.

Sasuke followed her and mused on just where exactly his dignity had gone.

The caf was small and comparatively new, but it was already around three-fourths full, evenconsidering the early hour. A waitress ushered them to a table in a secluded corner and promptlytook their orders. Sakura asked for two blueberry muffins and green tea, while Sasuke orderedan omelet and coffee.

When the waitress left, Sakura asked Sasuke in concern, "Are you feeling okay? You lookpaleat least, more so than usual."

Sasuke had actually felt a bit ill during their sparring session, but he denied it. "I feel fine."

Sakura accepted his curt statement with a nod. "Okay, just tell me if you do feel sick, yeah?There's a nasty bug going around."

Sasuke shrugged and asked her something that had been bothering him. "Why is your fightingstyle centered so strongly on defense?"

Sakura blinked at him, thrown by his willingness to actually instigate a conversation. "On amission it would be my duty to stay back and defend myself while my comrades handled themain part of the fighting. Someone needs to heal them."

Sasuke nodded, accepting her answer as logical. "When did you become Tsunade's apprentice?"

She eyed him quizzically before answering. "Not long after you left," she told him, not seeminguncomfortable with the subject of his betrayal.

"Why?"

She was thoughtful for a minute. "I guessI guess I just needed to do something worthwhile,you know? Team Seven was disbanded, Kakashi-sensei got reinstated with ANBU, and Narutoleft with Jiraiya-sama. It's not like I was going to get anywhere training by myself."

Sasuke frowned. He hadn't known that Naruto had left with Jiraiya, leaving Sakura alone. He hadalways assumed that they would have each other. Apparently not.

"When did you move out of you parents' house?"

She smiled slightly. "My eighteenth birthdaythe day I could legally live by myself."

He didn't ask why; he had gotten a good clue last night how she felt about her mother. "Whatrank are you?"


25/141

"I'm a Jounin. What's up with all these questions?" she queried suspiciously, put on guard by hisuncharacteristic curiosity.

Sasuke didn't answer, as their food had just arrived. The truth was that having nothing to do allday gave you not much else to do but think about things, and he had realized that he reallydidn't know much about Sakura. The notion vaguely irritated him. She had satisfied his questions

for now at least.

They ate in silence after that. Sasuke's curiosity was sated and Sakura seemed content withquiet.

Sakura reached for the check when it was delivered, but Sasuke grabbed it before she could. Shestared at him, confused. "I've got it," he muttered.

Sakura agreed easily enough. "Alright," she complied. "Thanks."

When they arrived at the hospital, Sakura soon began her rounds after depositing Sasuke off inher office. Sasuke, disconcertingly weary, reclined on the couch. It was improbable that his sparwith Sakura left him this devoid of energy. Maybe he really was sick

Which was stupid. He was an UchihaUchiha Sasuke. He did not do anything as menial asgetting sick.

About half an hour later, however

He head felt funny. Foggy. He was having trouble breathing through his nose, and had to takeraspy, harsh breaths through his mouth. Sasuke was skilled at the art of self-denial, but hewasn't stupid. He was sick.

Where was Sakura? Her rounds were taking uncommonly long

It was then that Sakura stepped through the door, running her hand through her hair in irritationand exasperation.

"Hey, Sasuke-kun," she greeted dejectedly, not looking at him as she pored over a paper. "Jeez,everyone's been getting sick all of a sudden. It's so"

She stopped abruptly when she caught sight of him. Her eyebrows rose minutely before shesighed. "You're sick."

"Quick on the uptake, aren't you?" Sasuke intoned thickly, which instigated a relatively violent

coughing fit. God, he couldn't even rememberthe last time he had been sick

"That'll teach you not to make sarcastic comments," Sakura told him smugly as she knelt by thecouch and brushed his bangs out of his eyes so she could feel his forehead. After a moment sheremoved her hand and pursed her lips. "You're burning up. Crap. Um"

Her eyes flickered in indecision before she sighed again and started grabbing items papers andfolders off her desk and cramming them into her bag. "I'll have to take off early and get you tobed," she murmured distantly.


26/141

Sasuke looked at the clock on her desk. It was just a bit past noon. "You'd be leaving at leastseven hours early," he said, his brow furrowed.

She shrugged. "You're sick, Sasuke-kun. You're sick and you're infecting my couch. I like mycouch and I don't want your germs all over it. Therefore, I'm taking you back."

She opened the door and glanced expectantly at him. "Get up, you're not that sick." She frownedin concern. "Are you? I don't want to have to drag you back"

"Your concern is touching," Sasuke informed her dryly, and got to his feet gradually.

The room spun for a moment and Sasuke lurched unsteadily. His head hurt like hell.

Sakura tried to lay a hand on his shoulder but he jerked away from her violently. "Don't touchme," he spat, the throbbing pain in his head making him edgy and ill-tempered--at least, moreso than he already was.

Sakura looked startled, and maybehurt? Her expression quickly glazed over into neutral,

however, and her hand, which had been raised, fell stiffly to her side. "Let's go, then," she said;her voice was cool and indifferent. She walked out.

Sasuke knew immediately that he had offended her, but didn't know how to rectify the situation.He wasn't one to go handing out apologies easily.

When he didn't follow her out the door she came back in, irritated and impatient. "Well?"

Sasuke stuffed one of his hands in his pocket but left the other hanging limply by his side. It wasa clear invitationin Sasuke's mind, at least.

Sakura continued to frown at him for a good minute, but she was an intelligent girl, andcomparatively quickly grasped what he couldn't put into words.

She cautiously slid her hand into his larger one, and when he didn't resist, gripped it lightly.Sasuke followed her obligingly out of the hospital, his eyes resting in a steadfast manner on theirlinked hands.

Huh. Unsure about this one. Definetely not my favorite, but I don't necessarily dislike it.

I got a bunch of comments on the parallels in the last chapter with Gilmore girls. (cringe) See, Iwas in a state of nostlgia because GG has been canceled/ended whatever, so I vented a bit therein an attempt to appease myself. Don't worry, however; most--keyword being most--of this

story is going to form entirely in the deep recesses of my mind (yes, that's right, be afraid), andSakura will not turn into Lorelai (AS FRICKING AWESOME AS THAT WOULD BE--haha, I can SOsee Sasuke wearing a backwards baseball cap and a flannel shirt and working in thediner...ha...).

Um. Anyway...just a heads up, but the next chapter is most likely going to contain some angstand stuff--you know, Sasuke and all his emotional baggage--(read as: emotional crap). Therewill also be SasuSaku bonding-ish kinda, and no, not in a dirty way, thanksabunch. About that,though: how...um...graphic do you guys want this? I will inform you now that there will be no


27/141

sex scenes, and nothing even really close. As I said in an earlier chapter, this is more about theirpsychological relationship, so they will not be randomly kissing the crap out of each other inevery chapter (move on with your life). Other than that, your opinions may or may not influenceme. And, like everything, it depends on my moody--I am a very moody person. You have beenwarned.

Uh...huzzah?


Sakura didn't hover as Sasuke had expected her to. She led him to his bed and ordered him toswallow two small pills she handed him. After Sasuke complied, she made short work of placingon his bedside table everything she thought he might need: water, tissues, and cough drops."Tell me if you need anything else," she bade him before leaving him alone. Sasuke could justhear her soft footsteps in the hallway as she stepped lightly to her room.

Sasuke had a suspicion that she was still upset by what he had said at the hospital. From themoment she had released his hand when they returned back, she had been very careful to avoidphysical contact, and when it couldn't be avoided, it was always brisk and impersonal. It made

him feelalienated. It was almost ironic that he was feeling so disconcerted because she wasdoing precisely what he told her to do.

Restless and uncomfortable, Sasuke shifted constantly for a good hour before he fell into atense, uneasy sleep. He dreamt of Itachi and Orochimaru and Kabuto and his father and hismother and blood and shadows and tears and screams and redredred eyes.

He saw his parents dying and Orochimaru laughing and Itachi poking his forehead and Kabutosneering. He saw himself, covered in blood and palepalepale, ramming his Chidori throughItachi's stomach. He saw Itachi's eyes go glassy, saw his lips upturn, and saw him collapse. Hesaw his parents lying lifeless on the floor.

He saw his brother pluck out his eyes (but it didn't happen it didn't happen it didn't happen--).

He saw generations of Uchiha stealing the eyes of their brothers (but it did happen it did happenit did happen--).

He saw Orochimaru leaning over him, as he had once before, a long time ago. He saw thereptilian man morph into Sasuke's mother. He saw her smile at him; he saw her hair spill overher shoulder.

Sasuke made a wild, desperate grab at her, and ended up with a fistful of her silky hair.(mommommom--) She was here, she was alive, she was okay

"Sasuke-kun." Sakura's voice, soft and clear and lilting, dissipated his fitful dreams. He woke

instantly to find himself sitting up in his bed with a very tight, and what looked to be a verypainful hold on Sakura's hair.

Crushing disappointment and an almost giddy sense of relief at the sight of her swept throughhim all at once, making his stomach lurch and the tightness in his chest ease up.

Sakura used both of her hands to gently disentangle his larger hand from her hair and brought itdown to her lap, where she held it lightly. "Sasuke-kunI heard you moving around from my


28/141

room. You were" she looked away and started tracing patterns on his palm distractedly. "Areyou okay?"

No, he wanted to say, nononononeverbut when he looked at her eyes, clear and expressiveand concerned, he thoughtmaybe. Maybe someday, he could beokay. Someday. Someday,maybe.

He shrugged and watched her slim fingers skim over his hand, tickling slightly. She bit her lip."Do you want to talk about it?" she asked hesitantly.

A question he knew the definite answer to. "No."

She smiled; one end of her mouth was quirked up farther than the other, as if she werereluctant. "Yes, I thought so." She let go of his hand and stood up from where she had knelt byhis bed. "Justif" Sakura closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at him again."I hope you feel better, Sasuke-kun," she said warmly, sincerely.

Sasuke hoped he would too, for her sake if nothing else.

Over the next few days Sasuke gradually got better, and Sakura's quiet, attentive way of caringfor him never faltered. Sasuke would often find himself preoccupied in the maternal way shechecked his temperature and the pleased look she would wear when his temperature went down.Sasuke found he could sleep just a bit easier, knowing she was taking care of him.

--

Sakura's eyes, Sasuke decided, were not the plain, average green he had thought they were.They were more washed out; a softer, more faded green. Occasionally they would flicker, and,almost like holograms, would display other shades of green, and sometimes gray. Still, her eyeswere greenthe simple, clear truth gave him an odd sense of calmness.

When he compared her to the other young women they passed on the street, Sakura wasnoticeably different. She rarely wore jewelry and if she wore makeup, Sasuke couldn't see it.Whenever she put her hair up it was sloppy, as if she couldn't take the time to smooth it. Herclothes were obviously chosen for comfort, practicality, and ease of move. Today she waswearing baggy black pants and a loose maroon shirt. The excess of material only served toemphasize how thin she wasa bit too thin, Sasuke thought. Her habit of skipping meals inorder to get work done irritated him to no end.

A lot of her work-related habits irritated him, actually. For example, the way she would workherself past the point of exhaustion. The way she would try to hide aforementioned exhaustion.The way she would frequently fall asleep at her desk.

Sasuke had, in the past three weeks, become accustomed to checking Sakura's room before he

went to sleep, because a good deal of the time he would find her slumped over her desk,sleeping deeply. He would then proceed to gather her in his arms and lay her in her bed. (Sakuraslept very deeply; not once had she woken up while he did this.)

He also realized that he wasn't the only one who noticed. When she taught at the Academy,Iruka would comment on how pale she was. When she went to the Hyuuga Compound, Hinatawould point out the circles under her eyes. When she played shougi with Shikamaru, he wouldtell her flatly that she was overworking herself. When she would help out at the YamanakaFlower Shop, Ino would jokingly tell her how horrible she looked and you need to get more


29/141

beauty sleep, you know? Naruto would flat-out tell her she looked like crap (and would berewarded by a solid punch to the face).

It appeased the young Uchiha slightly to know that he wasn't the only one fighting the seeminglydownhill battle to keep Sakura healthy. It also sparked a bit of curiosity for him to realize justhow many people cared about her.

One person's care for her, however, Sasuke did not appreciate. This person was Hyuuga Neji, theperson who had taken to coming to talk to Sakura almost every day. He would lean against thewall by her desk in her office and coolly ignore Sasuke, his attention focused on the young medicat the desk.

At the beginning Sakura would try to draw Sasuke into the conversations as well, aware of howrude it was to exclude him. However, Sasuke obstinately refused to speak to Neji more thanabsolutely necessary, and the pale-eyed boy didn't exactly have any burning desire to talk tohim either.

So Neji and Sakura would talk and Sasuke would brood. Sasuke noticed that Neji alwaysapproached her with the pretense of having a question to ask her. Sasuke thought it was

pathetic and obvious, but if Sakura noticed as well, she never gave any indication.

After Neji left that day, Sasuke stopped brooding about him and resumed brooding about howthin Sakura was. Her tendency to neglect her own health (while nurturing everyone else's,including Sasuke's own) was going to be the death of her.

And, inevitably, Sasuke mused, he would be blamed. Something along the lines of how he wasliving with her and should have taken better care of her would be thrown at him, and then hecould quite possibly end up in the Konoha Prison, which is where he would have been, had notthe situation with Sakura been arranged.

His mind made up, Sasuke got to his feet and ambled to the door. Sakura looked up from where

she had been poring over a large book when she heard the door open and frowned questionablyat him.

"I won't leave the building," he reassured her.

She deliberated, but when she glanced back at him, her eyes shone with trust. A feeling bubbledsomewhere in Sasuke's chest, but he ignored it pointedly. "Okay, Sasuke-kun. But remember:don't talk to strangers."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You're an idiot," he informed her dryly, but one might have heard andundertone of fondness in his voice had one listened closely.

Sakura laughed and waved him out the door, already turning back to her book.

--

When Sasuke returned fifteen minutes later, he shoved a pack of crackers and an apple at her.Sakura eyed him. "Uh, Sasuke-kun"

"You didn't eat breakfast this morning," he said mildly. She flushed, and he smirked. OnlySasuke's threat of another cold water-wakeup could get her out of bed that morning, but shewas still sluggish and had to rush out the door in order to be on time.


30/141

Sakura was about to retort when her eyes widened. She stared at him, gaping, and Sasukeshifted in annoyance. "What?"

Sakura stood up and reached as high as she could to place her hand on top of his head. Runningher fingers through his hair probingly, she frowned in distress. Lowering her hand, she took abreath.

Sasuke's patience grew thin. "What, Sakura?"

"Sasuke-kunII don't know how to tell you this, but" she looked away.

A moment later: "Your hairline is receding."

A long, pregnant paused.

"What?" Sasuke asked blankly.

Sakura dissolved into manic laughter and had to clutch the front of Sasuke's shirt to keep herself

upright. "Youshouldhave seenyourface!" she gasped, choking on her own laughter.

Sasuke was, admittedly, less amused. He scowled at her but allowed her to continue to cling tohis shirt. "You are the stupidest, most flippantly frivolous, ridiculous person I have ever met," hesaid frankly.

Sakura collected herself and relinquished his shirt. "That's a term of endearment, right?" sheasked cheekily.

"Shut up, Sakura. Just shut up and eat your food."

"Oh, Sasuke-kun, you do care!"

"Eat it, Sakura. I'm warning you."

"Sasuke-kun, Sasuke-kun, you really shouldMMPH."

"Serves you right."

"You're dead, Uchiha. You are twice as dead as you were before. In fact, you are so dead thatyou were dead three million years ago, so not only are you dead but you are old and wrinkly. Sothere."

"Your logic fails me."

"As do terms of endearment."

"Hn."


31/141

Sorry this is so short. This is kind of a filler while I sort out and untangle my (haphazard,disorganized) ideas for upcoming chapters. Anyway, Sakura is getting more maternal andSasuke is starting to notice, which is kind of the point of this story. Y'know.

I have a question: do Japanese people have middle names? (stupid question, I know. Shut up,you)

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful reviews. If any of you ever have questions youactually want me to respond to, just say so in your review. If not, I most likely won't replybecause I'm lazy like that, but I appreciate every single one of your reviews because you guysFRIGGING ROCK.

Specifically, I'd like to thank Akamai for responding to my question about how graphic this isgoing to be (wow, someone actually reads my author's notes). My heart goes out to you. Really.It does. If you find a heart hovering outside your window, do not be alarmed. However, I mightlike it back eventually. A bit hard to live without a heart, you know. It pumps blood and whatnot.

Also, shkh4ever said that I am "one hell of a writer". Um, uh, haha, HELL YEAH. FLATTERYDOES GET YOU EVERYWHERE. I AM SHAMELESS. BEWARE.

Thanks a bunch, everyone! (Beware.)


What urged him to check up on two of his students, Kakashi did not know. It was a spur of themoment thing, an impulse that he didn't give much thought to before he found himself enteringhis only female student's office, nonchalant and casual as usual.

Sasuke, reclining on the sofa, must have noticed his presence before he even came in, and didn'tas much as bother to turn from where he had been fiddling with a kunai. Sakura, however, tooka few moments to look up, absorbed in a form she was filling out.

"Kakashi-sensei," she intoned, surprised. "This is a surprise."

"Ah, hello, Sakura," Kakashi greeted cheerfully before he turned to the pale young man on thecouch. "Sasuke."

"Kakashi," Sasuke said levelly.

"Still as monotonous as ever, then?" Kakashi observed.

"Sasuke-kun is the Master of the Monotone," Sakura agreed. "Sensei, did you need something?"

Kakashi feigned hurt. "What, I need a reason to drop in on my former students?"

"No," Sakura allowed, and narrowed her eyes. "But knowing you, you must likely havean ulterior motive."

"Your suspicion is wounding," Kakashi informed her somberly, fighting a small smile. Sakuraalways had been clever and perceptive. "Actually, I wanted to take you both out to lunch.Bonding and whatnot."


32/141


33/141

she spoke and it didn't directly involve himor listen to anyone, for that matter. Sasuke waseven more self-absorbed than Kakashi himself.

From these two observations Kakashi gleaned that Sasuke had become comfortable with her,and that he held her with some regard and respect. This, for Sasuke, was indeed remarkable.

Even now, as Kakashi watched them from across the table, the change between this Sasuke andthe thirteen-year-old Sasuke was evident. Sasuke was surveying his surroundings clinically,dispassionately. But Kakashi saw Sasuke's black eyes flicker to Sakura onceand again, about aminute alter. Almost like a stutter.

Again! The third time. This gave Kakashi a good deal of information, but he wasn't sure what tomake of it. Sasuke held Sakura as an object of interest? Someone to watch, observe, study?

Having to remain with Sakura day in and day out must get boring, and even Sasuke would haveto find something to entertain him eventually. It was reasonable that he would choose Sakurashe was a constant companion, and full of subtle, barely perceptible quirks.

Kakashi was aware that his own and Sasuke's minds were similar in some aspects, and thatdissecting and analyzing a person like Sakura would hold a challenge for Sasuke, something toamuse himself with.

However, what would happen when Sasuke decided he was through with herthat she no longerheld any amount of interest for him? Bored people, Kakashi had found, were often the mostdangerous of all. He would have to keep a close eye on the situation.

"shi-sensei?"

Kakashi snapped back into focus. "What?"

"You've been staring blankly into space for at least five minutes, Sensei," Sakura informed him.

"I was contemplating pouring water on you."

"Well, I'm glad you didn't; it would have messed up my hair," Kakashi informed her in aconfidential whisper.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "You are such a girl," she scorned.

A waitress approached them. "May I take your order?" she asked, addressing the group at large.

Sakura ordered the special of the day, and after a beat: "What she's having," Sasuke saidquietly.

Kakashi ordered as well, and waitress bustled away. Kakashi watched her go. "She's got a niceass," he remarked in an offhand manner.

Sakura groaned. "Please, stop making comments like that," she implored. "Your one-track mindis disgusting."

"You're still too young to understand," Kakashi sighed. "Kids these days, I'm tellin' ya"

Sakura scoffed. "Even Narutois more mature than you are at times."


34/141

"That may be true," Kakashi allowed, "but there's no way he can match my awesome sense ofstyle."

Sakura didn't have anything to say to that. The kid did wear an orange jumpsuit.

--

They parted ways after the meal, Sasuke and Sakura heading back to the hospital, and Kakashioff towell, wherever it is Kakashi spent his time.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura began, "you've been quiet. What's up?"

"Nothing," Sasuke replied simply.

She shrugged. "If you say so."

One thing Sasuke had come to appreciate about Sakura over the past month was herunwillingness to poke and pry in his life. When he didn't want to talk about something, she didn't

whine, didn't beg, didn't pout. She accepted it and moved on. She understood that his privacywas important to him and didn't push him to say anything he didn't want to.

Sasuke was, in turn, more willing to disclose personal information with her. When she asked aninnocent, casual question, if he didn't see any harm in it, he would answer freely. He knew shewouldn't prod him for more, and he trusted her not to go reporting everything she knew to theHokage.

Of course, she didn't know anything the Godaime would care about. She hadn't asked himanything about what happened during his absence, so he hadn't told her anything. Sasuke didget the sense at times that she was curious but was refraining from asking.

If she did ask, Sasuke was unsure of how much he would tell her. Some parts he was still

figuring out himself, and others he didn't want to burden her with. Sasuke had become aware ofSakura's compassion and her distress over other people's pain, and knew she was already losingenough sleep as it was.

"Sakura-san!"

The pair turned to find Lee sprinting towards them at a breakneck speed. He gave no indicationof halting, so Sasuke prepared himself to pull Sakura out of the way, as she was so clearly in thegreen spandex-clad boy's way.

Just in time, though, Lee hurtled to a stop right in front of her. "Hello, Sakura-san!" he greetedexuberantly.

Sakura couldn't help but smile. "Hi, Lee-san."

He beamed at her and turned to her companion. "Hello, Sasuke-kun! It is nice to see you again."

"Hn." Sasuke didn't exactly return the sentiment.

"Where are you off to?" Lee asked Sakura.


35/141

"Work," she answered wearily.

Lee blinked confused. "Work?"

"Ah, you've heard of it."

He shook his head. "No, I just assumed you had the day off, since you are walking around."

"Oh," Sakura waved her hand, "we were just getting lunch."

Lee furrowed his brows in confusion. "You two were on adate?"

Sakura shook her head. "No, Kakashi-sensei actually dropped by my office and offered to take usto lunch."

"Ah," he intoned in understanding. "Well, I have to go; I believe Ayame-san's shift is endingnow. Goodbye, Sakura-san, Sasuke-kun!" And with that he sped off.

Sasuke turned to her. "Ayame?"

"The ramen stand owner's daughter," Sakura explained. "Lee-san has become infatuated withher. Her father has started beating him off with a broom," she laughed.

Sasuke smirked at the mental images that sprang to mind.

Hullo there. Sorry about the wait--my muse died.

SPOILER: I REJECT THE LATEST MANGA CHAPTER. REJECT IT, I SAY. ITACHI IS EVIL. I REFUSE

TO BELIEVE MADARA'S LIES. UGH.

Can anyone come up with a better summary for this? It's very sad that my own summary boresme. Very sad, indeed.

Sorry the chapter's so short. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews--I read them all, I swear.Kinda rushed now, so my author's note is unusually short. Okaygottagoseeyabye!


The next day found Sasuke and Sakura in the latter's office. Over the past week or so Sasukehad been formulating questions he was curious about, which he was currently firing at her.

"What do you teach at the Academy?" was his first question. He sat on the edge of the sofa, hishands clasped before him, regarding her with an earnest and steadfast expression.

"Genjutsu, chakra control and basic

everything is alright.docx

Documents