"That's it. I have heard Enough. Enough, Sasuke." She bit out. "Oh! how can I be so oblivious; so stupid; so naive? How could I ever think that you were capable of having feelings? I thought you had changed, I knew I was getting my hopes up but I really thought that you had the ability of change. I was never this far from reality." A disdainful scorn curled her lips; contempt marked her features. "I should have known; knowing you, I should have known your real intentions. I should have known that you would never love me." She said with sadness creeping in her voice. "I am just a baby-producing machine to you? Huh? Just a tool to fulfil your 2nd goal. Inevitable, you said? OrgANIC?" Her voice rose again. "And WHY, because I am the only woman YOU know well, and who knows YOU! Thank you, Sasuke, thank you so much; for pulling me down to earth; for telling me what you think about me; for making me realise my own worth."

"Sakura, listen..."

"NO! You listen to me, YOU IGNORANT PIECE OF DIRT!" She cried. "I will have you know that the world DOES NOT revolve around you, and I won't be with you because 'this is the next logical step' for you. I am Haruno Sakura: I am the best medic this village has to offer after the Hokage herself, and one of the strongest kunoichi around. I am not a step you take towards your fulfilment. You hear me, Sasuke Uchiha. I still love you, but I refuse to be used by you. I refuse to be played because of my own sentiments. It may kill me but I would never ever want you anymore. I will not degrade myself with that and I will certainly not allow you to take me for granted. I wash my hands off you Uchiha, for once and for ever." She spun on her heels and stalked off.

To say that Sasuke was stunned would be an understatement. He was stupefied. He couldn't believe his ears. He had never thought that she would react in this manner. In that moment, he forgot all about himself, and couldn't do anything except watch her retreating form with his mouth wide open. Where did he go wrong? He just confessed to her that she would be the ideal woman to produce Uchiha children. He had thought about this moment since his return three years ago. She was the obvious choice. He did have his doubts about her feelings but he had taken this step only after completely satisfying himself about it. He remembered when he came, it was bleak. They had found him half-dead after his fight with Itachi and brought him back to Konoha: to home. It was easy to say that now, but that's not what he had thought then. After years away from his village, he wasn't sure if he really wanted to be back; he was apprehensive, though he wouldn't admit it, and instead of going through the ordeal, he just wanted to sneak out again. It was Sakura, then, who had stopped him. Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi. They knew him too well. They knew that he would rather run than fight his own demons. Kakashi had sat in the hospital chair seemingly engrossed in his book, Naruto and told him quietly but determinedly that no matter what they would never abandon him, and Sakura had looked at him with her intense verdant eyes. She hadn't said anything- no exclamation of love like last time, no offers of accompanying him. She had just looked at him with conviction and warmth written in her eyes. It was then that Sasuke had decided to stop running. He wanted to feel the same conviction of an abode where he could belong and where he could have friends and perhaps, a family. He was tired of his hatred which was clawing him from within and pushing him for vengeance. He was tired of the void which he felt within himself. He couldn't take that monster anymore. After all these years of getting consumed by his lust for power and revenge, he was feeling lost now that he had achieved it. He had looked at Team 7: his team and decided to stay and brave the world. He knew he was in for severe repercussions but he had decided to stay.

The Hokage had decided to keep him on probation for six months and he was banned from leaving the village for a year or taking any mission above D ranked ones. He had complied. He was reinstated as a full-fledged Konoha shinobi after a year and a half. Meanwhile he had started to work on achieving his second goal. He didn't know any of the girls well and those he knew didn't appeal to him. Hinata was elegant and skilled, and also a Hyuuga but she liked Naruto, even if he was too oblivious to realise that. Ten-ten was good but he didn't feel inclined towards her and Ino was certainly out of question. Every time he had thought about the matter, Sakura was the only one who was left at the end of his ponderings. It was difficult to accept at first but Sasuke had realised soon that she would be the ideal woman to start a family with. She had changed. Gone was the weak and weepy girl, she was powerful and skilled now. She wasn't the same girl now who used to go googly-eyed on him. Granted, the change had started during the chuunin exams itself; she was more confident and herself, now. And she was beautiful; her features made her person unique. Moreover, she was the only woman who really knew him. He had remembered that moment during the exams when she had helped him control his cursed seal, and later during the invasion when she had thrown herself in front of the maddened Gaara who was already under the control of Shikaku, without caring about herself. Sasuke remembered what she had told him when she had pleaded him not to leave the village, and with all of it he had felt something. He had felt those emotions stirring within him which were there but were crushed during his stay with Orochimaru. He had felt the same warmth; the same urge to protect his precious people and claim them back. He had the same impulse to claim Sakura back. The more he thought about it, the more obvious it had seemed. She certainly belonged to him, and even though he wasn't sure about the intensity of her emotions regarding him, he had decided to work in that direction. It seemed the next logical step.

He had started his quest then. Subtly, he had enquired about his past relationships- she had had none. He had almost grinned in triumph, then. He had talked to Naruto. The normally boisterous ninja was tranquilly told him that she had always loved Sasuke. She had never discussed it with Naruto but he knew. Sasuke believed him because the man sitting in front of him was her best friend. He knew that she cared for him and he had wondered if he ought to pursue her. The idea, however, appeared ridiculous and a blatant waste of time in the light of everything he knew. Sasuke had dropped it, then and decided to inform her about his intentions. He was absolutely certain that she was the best option available to him and he didn't take much time at acting upon it. Today was the day he chose to tell her everything and to propose her. He knew that they hadn't dated but didn't care for such trivial things. After all, she loved him and he was ready to accept her. They had known each other forever, so, there was no point in actually dating. So, he had brought her here, in the meadow behind the Hokage Mountains, and asked her to marry him. Sasuke had thought that she would be happy. However, nothing went as planned. He had given her his reasons, and she had snapped. Sakura had been outraged and he didn't know what to do now.

Sasuke saw her retreating form and felt himself at a loss of words. What on earth did he do to deserve this! He couldn't understand. Her words were overwhelming. Is this it, then, he thought. He felt a sudden stab of anger coursing through him. He had chosen her for himself, not that he needed, she already was his. Why could she not see things clearly? What was wrong about this being the next step? He felt himself panting and had an inexplicable impulse to burn all the trees. He felt like destroying everything around him, it would not do, though. He once more looked at the way she had left, and with a sneer he jumped in the opposite direction. There was no dearth of women, he would find somebody else. He would find somebody better than her. He was Uchiha Sasuke: the only sharingan wielder there was, and he would not allow a woman to belittle him. Never!

A/N- Hey! So, this was the first chapter. This has started with a romantic angle; however, this won't be the only element of the story. As obvious, I have decided to go back in time before the whole mess started. I didn't want to have Itachi killed but I guess, that would be in another story.

I apologise for any grammatical or factual errors, which may have missed my eyes.

Reviews are appreciated, so is constructive critique.

I would love to hear from you.