Author's Note: The last time I uploaded a fanfic was 5 years ago. I was 12 then. I actually totally forgot about my old fanfics until I saw the occasional email from notifying me that someone reviewed or favorited my story. I saw my past stories and was absolutely horrified. So, I deleted them all. I saved them on my computer and may rewrite them in the future since some of them are actually finished, but what's really confusing is that most of my past stories were NaruSaku, when I have (for as long as I could remember) been a hardcore SasuSaku shipper. I admit, I strayed away from anime from a long time, but after moving to Japan I gained a soft spot in my heart for Naruto again, and caught up with it. I've also begun to read a lot more fanfiction (the famous Blind and the lot) and became inspired to write a little myself, since I actually have the time for it. These fanfics aren't going to be anything serious - I have a basic plot outlined, but I'm more just experimenting with creative writing and writing about characters rather than all those literature analyses high school forces you to do. I'm not even sure if this will get updated (I mean seriously, my last update was in 2009), but hopefully I finish this story, especially since I have the time for it. Anyways, this author's note is extremely long, but just a basic plotline focus around SasuSaku in a universe where the Great Shinobi War does not occur. Hope you enjoy!
Sakura became aware of her consciousness as sunlight began to scatter throughout the room and the warmth hit her body. Her eyelids fluttered open, and the pink-haired kunoichi rolled onto her back, placing an arm over her head. It was days like these that Sakura cherished; the lazy Sundays when she could wake up whenever she wanted, and go about her errands at her own, relaxing pace.
However, Sakura's peace didn't last that long.
Her beautiful morning was soon interrupted by a loud, harsh knock on her apartment door. Sakura groaned as reluctantly got up, pulled a robe around herself, and ran a hand through her hair. She opened the door to rather unfamiliar face – it was one of Tsunade's messengers, but she never really got acquainted with the other ninja.
"Sakura-san, the Hokage requests your presence at your office immediately. It is an urgent matter." The other ninja gave a slight bow before he made his way off, probably to deliver more messages.
Sakura couldn't help but feel a little defeated. She knew whatever the Hokage had for her was important, but just sometimes she wished she could have a peaceful day, especially with all those extra shifts she's been putting in at the hospital.
But Sakura pushed her selfish thoughts out of her mind and began her morning routine as quickly as possible. After changing into her signature red top and shorts, Sakura grabbed her kunai pouch and made her way down to the Hokage's office as fast as her chakra pumped legs could take her.
Sakura opened the door to the Hokage's officer and was surprised to find Naruto and Kakashi already there. She was half shocked with the fact that those two men had gotten here before her. Was she really that slow this morning? Like really, Kakashi was there before her? And then it hit her that this urgent meeting really was important – possibly even a little bit personal – if all of Team Kakashi was present. Naruto glanced at Sakura, and Tsunade gave her an acknowledging nod. Tsunade then folded her hands under her chin and took in a deep breath.
"Great, now that everyone's assembled, there's something important I need to tell Team Kakashi. No one is allowed to overreact, or make any loud or sudden movements. I command all of you to remain calm." Tsunade shifted her eyes towards Naruto. Kakashi stood lazily as usual, seemingly unaware of Tsunade's serious tone, while Sakura shifted her weight in her feet. Naruto huffed and stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Yeah, yeah, skip the formalities and just get on with it."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair and stared directly at the three of them.
"Sasuke Uchiha is in Konoha."
Naruto and Sakura stormed out of Tsunade's office straight towards Konoha Hospital.
"I think the three of them need their privacy," Kakashi offered as Tsunade shot him a quizzical look, "I'll go see him later, if Naruto and Sakura haven't pummeled him to death first." Tsunade couldn't even begin her sentence as Kakashi already left her office. Kakashi never was one to go prodding into business he wasn't urgently involved in. He decided Naruto and Sakura could handle on their own for the time being.
Meanwhile, Sakura was taking full advantage of her position as a high ranking Medic Nin to grant access to all the information she needed to find Sasuke. Naruto loomed over Sakura's shoulder as she looked through the hospital's reception desk for Sasuke's room number.
"Room 512. Two guards posted outside. Let's go." Sakura grabbed Naruto's arm as the two of them racing down the hallway.
The two guards were dismissed without an objection. Being one of the top Medic Nin and Tsunade's former apprentice really had its perks. Sakura placed her hand on the door handle and released her breath that she didn't even realize she was holding in the first place. Naruto stood slightly behind her, placing his hand on top of hers. The two looked straight into each other's eyes before Naruto gave Sakura a quick nod and pushed down the door handle.
The two walked in only to be greeted by a heavily bandaged and unconscious Sasuke Uchiha. The two couldn't do anything but stare. Seven years. Seven years had gone by without any word from their former teammate, and here he was, Sasuke Uchiha in the flesh and blood. Sakura could hardly believe it. She took Naruto's hand and gave it a squeeze, as if she was asking for his reassurance that this was all real. Naruto began to walk forward in response.
Sakura was standing closest to Sasuke's head with Naruto to her left. Still holding his hand, Sakura reached out with her other hand and ran her fingers through Sasuke's hair, as if to make sure that Sasuke wasn't a ghost.
There was a heaviness in the room that no one knew how to get rid of. The only thing that was audible was the heart rate monitor, steadily beeping, making the two aware that the Uchiha was still alive.
Sasuke shifted in his bed and Sakura immediately retracted her hand. Naruto clenched her hand and stared at the unconscious shinobi. Sakura held her breath.
Dark eyelashes began to twitch as Sasuke slowly awakened. His gaze was met by his former teammates'. Sasuke let out a loud breath through his nose. Naruto's stance slackened and he grinned.
"I can't fucking believe it."
Sasuke rolled his eyes until they locked on the entwined fingers between Naruto and Sakura. He slowly rose and sat up, turning his head directly towards Naruto and Sakura.
Slap.
It got even quieter. Sakura's hand was outstretched. Sasuke's head was turned away from it. Apparently, the drugs had a bigger toll on his reflexes than he expected. Sasuke glared straight at Sakura, his eyes demanding an explanation.
"Seven fucking years." Sakura felt a surge of emotions swell up within her. She half expected herself to cry, but no. All she felt was anger. She was downright furious. She was furious that she could feel Sasuke's irritation. How dare he? Sakura glared back into those dark eyes.
Naruto cast a worried glance at Sakura. It was strange, usually Sakura was the peacemaker between Naruto and Sasuke, but it seemed as if the roles had been switched.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto gently brought Sakura's outstretched hand back down, "let him talk." Naruto gave her hand a squeeze while Sakura let out a frustrated sigh.
"What the hell happened to you, bastard?"
Sasuke broke his gaze from the two and stared down at his hands.
"Uchiha Itachi is dead." Sasuke couldn't help but give off a little smirk. Sakura looked down, fists curled into a ball.
"Is that why…" Naruto nodded towards Sasuke's bandaged body.
"Apparently I was found outside of Konoha. I didn't know how close I was to the city." Sakura paid note to the lack of emotion in Sasuke's voice. Still, after all these years, some things just don't change.
"So, what next?" Naruto was almost afraid to ask. Afraid to hear Sasuke's answer.
"What's next is that Uchiha stays in Konoha." The three of them turned to find Tsunade standing in the doorway, arms crossed. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the Godaime.
"You are still considered a Missing Ninja of Konoha, and therefore will be kept under our surveillance until you complete your punishment and we receive all the knowledge you have of Orochimaru and whatever else might aid this village." No one said anything in response. Tsunade walked towards the hospital bed, "You will be assigned a caretaker for your wounds, who will also double as a guard to make sure you don't leave the village again. As for your punishment," Tsunade gave a long look at Naruto and Sakura. She would never admit it, but her heart ached for those two. So young, yet to be involved in so much…
"It'll be determined later, depending on how well you behave during your time here." Tsunade saw Naruto and Sakura's shoulders relax. She knew the village elders wouldn't be happy with her decision, but she did it for Naruto and Sakura. Those two who she trusted so much. Those two who she trusted to bring Sasuke back.
Sasuke gave a smirk. He has committed so many criminal acts against Konoha, yet he was getting let off so easily? He almost wanted to laugh at how pathetic the Godaime was. He would be able to escape Konoha has soon as his wounds healed.
"As for your caretaker," Tsunade placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder, "I'm assigning Haruno Sakura." Shocked heads turned to the Hokage. Sakura's eyes were wide, Naruto's mouth was slightly agape, and Sasuke was giving the Hokage what looked like a death glare.
"Sakura will not only be able to treat to all your medical needs, but she is also one of the strongest and trusted ninjas I have." Sakura began to open her mouth in protest, but Tsunade was already at the doorway.
"Well, kids," then the door was shut behind her and it was just the former Team Seven alone again.
Sakura didn't know what to say. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many questions she wanted to ask, but where would she start? She started by letting go of Naruto's hand, and moving towards the clipboard at the foot of the bed. She had work to do.
"Broken arm, broken ribs, multiple stab wounds, low chakra levels…What the hell…" Sakura began running her eyes over her patient, "But you can be discharged tomorrow, so long as your vitals are stable." Sakura put the clipboard down and rubbed a hand over her face. She started walking towards the doorway, "I'll be back tomorrow to pick you up." Naruto's gaze followed her.
"Wait, Sakura-chan…"
"I'm tired. I don't want to be here anymore. We'll have time to deal with this mess later." The door slammed behind her.
Sakura ran straight home, and cried. She was so frustrated.
Author's Note: Sorry, kind of short chapter! Remember, I'm kind of new to this whole fanfiction thing so please bear with me.