An Impasse of the Heart

Chapter 1

Aimelaire: Yep, I've finally typed this up; Thanks Baka-chan

Sasuke: Baka-chan? WTF?

Aimelaire: T-T Heh, fine…Deborah-chan

Sasuke: -Mutters- Freak…

Aimelaire: (Heard Sasuke—Not Deaf) Yep, a freak with a TON of procrastinated homework and projects .

Anyways, this continues off where my other fic, "A Reminisce in the Snow" left off;;

Not exactly though, as Naru-kun and Saku-chan had already started to walk back, ignore that... (ish too lazy and doesn't want to change it)

Have fun! ;)

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Naruto, Kishimoto-sensei does, thank God…if I did...

–shudder- who knows how it would end up….

So without further ado,

An Impasse of the Heart

So let Mercy Come
And Wash Away
What I've Done

-Linkin Park

"What I've Done

Taking a few more moments to savour the ethereal quiet and beauty of the new fallen snow, I didn't notice the advancements of a certain shinobi who walking slowly but surely towards me.

Finally noticing the crunch of snow behind me, I turned to face him. On his face laid a light-hearted smile, but his eyes was what always gave away his true feelings. Today, his eyes showed hints of lingering pain. He must have been thinking of him too.

"Sakura!" He started, "It's freez—"

Catching him off guard with a hug, he smiled with a look of surprise on his face, wrapping his arms around me in return. These hugs were my favourite as they quickly vanished any loneliness and sadness I had felt and replaced it with comfort and happiness.

Somehow, his loud obnoxious, though now toned down ways had wound their way into my heart, I had finally realized just how much Naruto meant to me when he had left. Naruto was the only one I would trust with anything and everything, so naturally, nearly every waking moment that wasn't being spent at Konoha's Hospital, was being spent with him. My best and closest friend I had ever known. (Alex 3)

However, both of our lives had progressed since he had left. Although both of us missed him terribly, almost nothing had stayed the same. I would never again think of him as a god, but rather as someone only to prove further that nothing lasts forever and to break my heart repeatedly. The only thing that still and perhaps forever hurt me was his betrayal. The night and all of the feelings were still vividly painted in my mind. It was enough to drive anyone crazy.

Finally letting go, he shot me an unusual stern look and faced me.

"Sakura! It's freezing out! What were you thinking?" He said, taking off his orange sweater revealing only a t-shirt and handing it to me. "You've probably caught a cold by now." He added.

"Pfft, a cold? I've never caught a cold. And I intend to keep it that way." I said, a coy smirk playing upon my face as I slipped the sweater over my head.

"Achoo!"

I lay in our bed with a cold. Various tissues and other items intended to keep my interest scattered around me.

'Damn… Naruto was right!' I think to myself with vengeance, 'and speak of the devil…'

Naruto walked in carrying a tray of assorted hot foods with a soup and a mug of hot chocolate.

"And what have we learned this time, Sakura-chan?" He asked tauntingly.

"Never to go out in the cold without a sweater…" I replied with a look of defeat.

"And…?" He started, waiting for the usual response.

"And… Naruto is always right." I replied, with a playful smile lighting my now sick, pale features.

"Mmhmm," a smug, triumphant grin appearing on his face.

"…What were you doing out there anyway?" He asked with a look of curiosity.

"Umm….just thinking…"

"About?

"…Sasuke…" I answered, nearly whispering.

"Oh…" He said as his grin slowly began to turn into a frown.

The moments following those words seemed immeasurably long and sad, as we, both thought about the friend who has long since abandoned and betrayed us.

Feeling the grim nature that had began to emanate from us, Naruto took his chin between his hand and giving me an inquisitive look. "Hmmm, I wonder…" he said before crawling onto the bed and tickling me.

The laughter that followed sounded foreign to my ears, as I had not laughed in such a long time. It honestly felt good to be able to do such a thing because all thought of him vanished leaving only happiness in its wake.

Finally stopping from the torture that is tickling, he crawled off the bed, turned the lights off, with a smile, and started to walk out of the room.

"Naruto?" I said, with a pleading look.

Understanding my unsaid request, he quietly closed the door, the last bit of light from the hall hitting the bed, and crawled under the covers with me.

Wrapping his arms around me, after a couple of minutes he whispered the words, "I love you," into my ear before pulling me closer and resting his head on my shoulder.

I smiled inwardly at that, and hugged him back, but a part of me was still confused about how I felt about him and whether or not I still love…him.

Deciding that the answer to the question was a definite no, I pulled him closer and said the same to him. I would never again love Sasuke. He was now worthless to me.

I definitely wouldn't want anything different in my life. Nothing could make my life any better than it was now. I hated Sasuke; nothing in the world could change that.

I had no idea how wrong I was.

The next day, I felt good enough to go to work. The cold had subsided thanks to Naruto's loving care and Tsunade definitely wouldn't let me miss more than one day for a measly cold. It was the beginning to another beautiful, sunny day.

Arriving at the usual atmosphere of fresh blood and wounds of our busy hospital, I was greeted by Yuki-chan, who cheerfully handed me the papers for my next patient.

I asked her about her weekend, but she skipped our usual conversations and started gushing about the latest gossip of my next patient, her light brown eyes flashing with excitement.

"Supposedly, he's an S-wanted criminal. Kyou-chan actually saw him! He supposed to be incredibly handsome!"

She continued bubbling about more of the gossip as I let out a sigh.

On my day, back too…

Finally, she finished and added with a smirk, "…and Tsunade-sama specifically requested you for this patient, lucky!" She said, punching my playfully in the arm.

"Oh yes, lucky me…" I replied, sarcasm dripping from my voice. "See ya later, Yuki-chan." I said waving while I walked to my new patient's room.

'Did she mention that he's an S-wanted criminal? Of course I get the crazy ones…Hmph, my day couldn't possibly get any better' I thought to myself, my positive look on the week now turned negative.

'Room 105…103,104 ahh… 105'

As I turned the corner, I welcomed the comforting whirring and beeping of machines and the familiar smells of anesthetic, which filled the room. It was heavily guarded by anbu who were placed strategically around the room.

I looked down at the chart to check out his current condition. I felt the blood rush out of my face as I suddenly recognized the person lying on the thin hospital mattress in front of me.

A head full of raven hair lay upon the stiff pillow. His onyx coloured eyes, which I had known so well when I was younger, were closed. His flawless and pale face suddenly contorted in pain. He let out a quiet whimper, as his eyes began to open as he sensed a new, familiar presence in the room.

Sasuke Uchiha.

I ran from the room, with so many feelings erupting within me. I couldn't take it anymore. Crystalline tears streamed down my face as I ran from the hospital building while Yuki's concerned voice shouted after me.

Back in the Hospital Room….

Uchiha Sasuke awoke in the hospital room, disorientated, confused and in excruciating pain.

"Sakura?" He asked weakly, confusion clouding his melodic voice.