AN: Might be a two-shot. I am not sure how much I will type in one go but I've been reading a lot of interesting return fanfiction.

After the newest chapter that made me flip a table, I figure the return wouldn't be as dramatic as I might have pictured. There is something nice and beautiful in the mundane. This is a story devoted to that.

Disclaimer: Don't own it

Summary: Love isn't easy. It isn't hard either. Love is just that…it is love. At times it is slow and others it moves so quickly that we are blinded with it. This is a story of all kinds of love but most of all the kind we always knew of but never spoke of.

Spring

This is when love is supposed to bloom. New life would suddenly appear and everything old be forgotten. This is a time of fresh starts or do-overs. This is when cherry blossoms both prosper and die.

It wasn't as dramatic as she thought it'll be. There were no shouts, no yelling, and no anger as Sasuke joined the battle with the four dead hokages. There was just a tentative understanding that Sasuke was going to help them. The villains that haunted her dreams suddenly became heroes. The battle raged, and even as the tide turn and the village was saved.

Sakura wasn't happy. Even as she patched up his team, even as she patched him up. She wasn't happy that he was back. Maybe it was due to her own distrust in the dark hair youth or the fact he had tried to seriously kill her this time.

The pink hair nin had no answer for herself and least of all him. He stared at her with those dead blank eyes as she spread her green chakra over his prone body. They never spoke and even at the brief eye contact she gave him nothing of the numbness that settled deep within her.

Once he was to a point of not quite healed but not going to die of his wounds she left his tent. There were other more worthy people of saving. Sakura reminded herself as she moved to the next tent, and the next….and then the next until Kakashi had to drag her back to her own cot.

It wasn't until her head hit the pillow did her numbness she wore like armor began to crack.

He came back on his own. There was no Naruto dragging him home, there was no spiteful reunion, he had just simply decided that it was time to come home.

And the numbness faded away to a dull anger.

- One Year Later

Sakura smiled to the odango seller. He was a charming young man who seemed to have taken interest in her over the year. Konoha was slowly rebuilding with the help of Sand and Lighting the proud village was making a comeback. Six months ago most of the major buildings were restored, four months ago venders began to come back, a little over a month ago the village began to look like home again.

"Here is the Sakura special!" The cheerful dango seller handed her three pale pink dough balls on a stick. "How was your last mission Sakura-san?"

"Not back Keiki, Kazekage is happy to have me in sand to help train his own medic teams. " She took a bite into one of the pink balls and sighed happily as the sweet dough melted in her mouth. "how has Konoha been?"

The rather tall lean man hmmmed softly. He stroke his chin as he leaned against the wooden post of his stall. "It has been the usual Sakura-san. It seems The Hokage has her hand full with the next generation and your friend Naruto is going to have his first team soon."

Sakura just laughed at the idea of the student finally becoming the teacher. "You know….the reason why I love –this- dango shop so much?" Her green eyes twinkled at him.

"Is because I hear all the gossip from kids looking for a sweet snack to the little old ladies who can't help but yak over tea?" Keiki laughed before rolling his eyes.

"Bingo!" Sakura took the next ball into her mouth, "h-hottt!"

Laughing at her antics the man who was only a year or two older than her vanished inside his shop. Sakura watched him ago amused at their strange friendship. A few years ago the medic never thought she'll have a close friend who lived on the outside of the shinobi world. Yet, beyond Naruto Keiki was quickly becoming someone precious to her. She found herself coming to his shop after her missions. She found herself wanting to see that sparkling laughter in dark chocolate eyes. Most of all, she wanted him to want to see her, to be excited when she suddenly appeared, to welcome her with that warm smile.

Pale green eyes dipped down to the last dango and wondered what that all meant. She told herself this was the only way to get over that annoying bastard. That she would grow beyond that fanatic love she had for him, that drove her to want to save him from his demons, that he could just go and save himself for all she cared.

Over the last year the Uchiha remained the same as he had always been. He decided to stay in the village and to help them rebuild. To rebuild the Konoha his brother killed for and died for. To rebuild something that wouldn't fall into darkness again. With that, Tsunade be grudgingly agreed to him and allowed him and his team to move back into the Uchiha district.

However, Orochimaru vanished and so did everyone but the red head girl.

Sometimes Sakura felt that Karin was too much like her. The old her. She was completely and utterly obsessive with Sasuke to a point where Sakura wondered if Karin would help him stab her with that sword of his….if only he asked.

Now, Sakura wasn't say she was better than the sharp mouth Sasuke loving fangirl….but in fact she knew she was. In a desperate fact to prove this she let her anger coil inside her and be the driving force to avoid the black hair man. If she felt him coming, Sakura made quick work to head to the opposite direction. If she couldn't escape? She would promptly ignore him. If he for some strange reason interrupted what she was doing? Sakura would just put on that fake smile and nod to him feigning interesting until he got bored and left.

And to help her heal Keiki had become her drug of choice. His dangos gave her a sense of warmth and the fact he even made some after her, touched her more than she could say.

There could be a chance of happiness if she just let herself have it. Sasuke, he could have his happiness too – Sakura reasoned softly. If he wanted to be happy, she'll support him. It was just that after everything Sakura doubted she could be the one to bring it to him.

This was when Keiki came back with two cups of tea. With soft hands he handed Sakura the cup before sitting down next to her. "You look so serious Sakura-san."

"I was just thinking…." Taking a sip she took the chance to advert her eyes.

"About?"

"Going to try and get gossip out of me Keiki?"

"Why Sakura….you know I am in the information business. To get some you gotta give a little." The man's warm smile melted the numbness that encased her heart.

"I was thinking….would you like to go on a date with me Keiki?"

There was a moment where she feared his rejection. Where she thought he'd turn her down and she'll have to hide from him too. She could never have his dangos again. She could never sit with him like this and laugh easily. Where she would have to say goodbye to those smiles.

"Sakura….I thought you'd never ask." That smile. It was the one she was falling in love with. Slowly…and very carefully as if fearful, Sakura rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. When he didn't grumble and shove her away. When he didn't tell her she was annoying. When he wrapped a gentle arm around her shoulders and pulled her slight frame closer, Sakura knew she made the right choice.

So why did she feel like crying?

OoooOooo

Sakura found herself in an old spot she called home. It was on Naruto's couch with her face burrowed into his chest. Her soft whimpers echoed through the messy apartment. Her body was curled up in his lap with his strong protective arms wrapped around her and his callous hands rubbing small circles into her back.

The date with Keiki had ended it horror. It was like some sick cosmic joke.

He had taken her out to a wonderful dinner, wooed her, and walked her to the door even. He was sweet, smart, funny, and most of all normal.

He was so normal it hurt.

He was so god damn healthy.

And when he leaned down to kiss her goodnight she had freaked out. Her arms shot up to stop him and with a shaky smile Sakura told him "good night Keiki" And took control of the situation by kissing his cheek and escaping inside.

Leaning against the door, she knew, just knew she couldn't go on another date with him again. That when he leaned in to kiss her, one thought was pounding in her head so loud and so clear.

'Sasuke…'

That thought repeating in her head over and over again sent her to find Naruto. She banged on his door until the sleepy grump opened it and the confusion was clear in those blue eyes.

It only took her a moment before flinging herself at him, tears already in her eyes.

That was an hour ago.

"Naruto…god…why ….why can't I just be with someone healthy for me? Keiki…Keiki is GOOD. He is kind…." She cried into his chest. "Why is it the moment I let my guard down I think of him….he is with Karin. Most likely plotting when he can get her pregnant so he can work on that stupid goal of his." Sakura ranted to her best friend. "And why does it bother me so much! I don't even want his stupid kids….they'll most likely be just like him moody and hate me too."

Naruto just snorted and that caused her head to jerk up. "Are you laughing at me?"

"No..NO! Sakura-chan…I'm just… Well Keiki isn't good enough for you, for one." Naruto back peddled to save himself from being thrown through the wall. "I mean he is nice but, he is a civilian. He wouldn't understand your life Sakura. You told me that before."

Biting her lip, he had a point. She was a nin, her life was coated in blood and battles. "But…"

"Don't but me, you know it's true. He'd want you to stop, to work just at the hospital, to have a nice happy life with his dangos. Does that sound like you?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"no…."

"You are the first to want to go on S-rank missions, the first when body parts start flying to patch them back on, the first when you hear that someone needs help to be there for them. Don't get me wrong…I get worried about you, a lot actually but I know I can't stop you. Hell even with all the power I have you scare the shit out of me Sakura-chan." Naruto brushed back her bangs gently. "So…tell me do you want to live a happy civilian life? Get all swollen up with having kids, send them off to become ninjas…or whatever you want them to be?"

"no…."

"Then I would say you did what was good for you Sakura-chan." Naruto dropped his forehead against her's. "it isn't about that bastard, or whatever he wants with that red head bitch. It is about your happiness and I think you just needed to remind yourself. What makes you happy." His face broke out into a grin as he kissed her forehead. "Want me to get the futon for you?"

"Please…?" Sakura felt so small at times like this. Naruto was like a brother she never had and at times barely wanted. It was days like today though that she was so grateful to him. Once he had cleared the floor of the trash he placed two futons down on the floor and carried Sakura to the pile of blankets and pillows. Gently he laid her down tucking her in before doing the same to himself.

Just like Sakura needed someone to love, Naruto would always need someone to take care of. They were family and this is why when she felt this tired and worn, she let Naruto baby her. Slowly turning so to face him, Sakura watched the slow fall and rise of his chest.

She loved Naruto. She loved him more than anyone in this world and beyond. She loved him more than Sasuke.

But it wasn't the kind of love that demanded sex. No, it was different, Sakura reasoned as she scooted over to him to rest her head on his overly warm chest. It was the kind that just existed between two people who grew up sharing the same pain. It was the kind that fostered an understanding that no matter what the future held they would always have this. This was a bond that would remain unbreakable and would never falter due to the mistakes of the past.

The warmth of his body lulled her into a sleep and for the first time in months Sakura didn't dream of a dark hair boy who said thank you. She didn't dream of his cold eyes that promised her death. She didn't dream of a boy she still loved in the same way she loved Naruto.

OooOOooooO

The next week Sakura finally found the courage to approach Keiki. His smile was still in place as she sat at her usual spot and when he handed her the Sakura Special their hands brushed.

It was in that moment he took her hand and held it. "So….This is our break up?"

Sakura winced and drew her eyes down. Still he didn't let go of her hand but instead moved to sit next to her. "You know….I was warned not to try anything with you. That I'll just end up getting hurt."

This caused her head to snap upwards and stare at the dark eye dango seller. "What…?"

He just smiled at her, "A friend of yours came by. He told me that I could –never- make you happy. That this was just an illusion." Keiki waved a hand in-between them. "Is it…?"

Sakura just frowned who would have said that? "No..Keiki. I…I really do like you. I enjoy how you make me smile, how you make me laugh…and even when I've had a shitty day you give me energy just talking to you."

That seemed to make the young man happy but the light of his smile didn't reach his eyes," But…?"

"But I'm messed up that's what. I can't make you happy without making myself miserable." Sakura sighed and looked at the dango. "I can't live a civilian life. I have to be out there fighting some bad guy, killing or saving people I don't know which anymore. What would you do with a girlfriend who comes home covered in blood at least once a month? Someone who dances with death? I can't…. I can't subject you to that. My mom was fine with it because my dad was some no name chuunin who rarely went on missions outside of the village. I'm not like him. I need to be out there." What was left unsaid was that was how she felt alive. Felt like she wasn't weak, that she was strong, that she was –someone- to be honored and feared.

Keiki listened to her for a long moment and then sighed, "You know…you're right I wouldn't understand…I wouldn't know what to do when you look haunted because you lost someone or killed someone. I would try though Sakura. Don't count me out just because I'm –just- a civilian. I would never ask you to change who you are….because Sakura you're the person I want to be with."

Sakura just studied his face as if trying to figure out the lie. There wasn't any. He was being honest. A small smile spread across her lips. Maybe, just maybe, this was right. Leaning forward Sakura gave him a soft kiss on the lips and he returned it just as sweet as his dangos.

After they part Sakura couldn't help but blush, "So who told you that? I mean Naruto would never interfere….was it Kakashi?" No, he wouldn't either. Both of them would come straight at her before meddling in her love life

"Now don't get angry Sakura…" Keiki looked a bit fearful. Why would he be scared she would never hurt him.

"Who was it?"

"Sakura before you do anything you'll regret just know that I think he was just looking out for you…in his own way"

" .It."

Her face was calm and neutral as she stared at the shop owner.

"Your former team-mate…the one with the b-"

Before he could finish Keiki was left alone at the shop. The area in which his girlfriend once occupied was nothing but air. The brown hair youth frowned as he looked around for the missing nin. It was something he had grown used to but having that tricked pulled on him was another thing.

Sighed he rubbed his forehead just glad Sakura's famous temper wasn't directed at him.

And sorry for the Uchiha would get a lesson in meddling.

OoooOooo

Sasuke was resting in his manor that held a mixture of emotions. He had rebuilt the decaying building over the year and forced Karin to take one of the apartments down the road. He can only stomach the clingy red head so much. No matter where he went the tomato girl would follow him around and cling to his arm. The only time he got a break from her was in the manor.

Mostly because he forbid her from entering.

It was why when he found himself blocking a vicious punch he was clueless as to who dared entered his personal cave. He swung back on instinct moving to defend himself. This was his safe haven who dared attack him here? And that was when he saw the pink when again he blocked another attack.

Pink?

Slowly he raised his eyes to see her face now. Sakura was livid as she threw attack after attack at him. In the interest of protecting his home Sasuke had pushed their fight into the streets. It didn't take long for eyes to be drawn to them. There was some cheering as a crowd surrounds them.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Sakura screamed as he launched around chakra infused attack at him. This time her punch landed square on his jaw and sent him flying back a few feet before coming back at her.

Now it was serious.

The two were at war, fighting with their raw strength. They ignored the rubber neckers as the two settled something a year in the making. At one point Sakura had him pinned panting heavily with a kunai at his neck while his own dagger pressed into her side. Neither drew blood yet but it was a matter of time he wagered. What brought on this insanity?

"How dare you tell him that? How dare you meddle with my love life." She seethed at him and finally it clicked. That idiot vendor had told her what they spoke about. Sasuke could hear the crowd settle into a hush as they strained to hear what the Uchiha had done to make the pink hair woman finally snap.

"how dare I? You are the one flirting with an idiot." He smirked up at, which he wagered might have been the wrong thing to do. The kunai pressed a little bit more into his neck.

"He…isn't an idiot! Stay out of my life Sasuke, stay the fuck away from me, and most of all if you speak to Keiki again….I swear…..I swear…" Sakura was panicked, and Sasuke could see that she didn't even know what she'd do to him if he continued to 'meddled'. And for the record he did not meddle, he simply told the idiot to stay away from Sakura unless he wanted to end up dead.

That was not meddling. "You swear what Sakura..? You're still an annoying weak little girl." In a fluid movement the Uchiha escaped her hold and turned to watch back inside the manor.

He didn't acknowledge the hate in her eyes. He refused to think of her anything but the weak little girl who cried more than fought. He clearly didn't pay attention to the throbbing in his jaw that may have been broken.

No. He didn't notice or care to think about any of that.

OoooOooooO

Sakura spent the next five hours pounding Naruto in the training fields.

"HOW DARE HE?!" She raged as she swung a tree at her best friend. "How dare he! He has no say in anything I do, none! I can't believe him!" Sakura chucked the tree at the blonde before pounding the earth a few times before sitting down.

It was then Naruto peeked out from behind the shrubbery to walk towards her. "I thought you were going to bre- I mean man Sasuke can be such a bastard! Let's go throw toilet paper all over his stupid house?"

Sakura continued to glare at him.

"Spray paint his house pink and orange?"

Still glaring.

"Ramen?"

Sighing Naruto watched her stand and linked arms with him. " Ramen."

The blond sighed in relief and looked upwards. Man his best friend was such an idiot but looking down at Sakura who held his hand tightly in her own, he couldn't help but think this is how the Uchiha planned to interact with Sakura.

They are going to have to talk, because after all this time, Sakura was going to find happiness.

And he would kill the bastard if he ruined it for her.

TBC.

I decided it is going to be a four chapter story and follow in with the moods of the seasons.

Summer:

This is when heat surrounds everything. The sky burns due to the power of the sun. A time best spent hiding from the heat and waiting for the coolness of night to come. This is when life would come alive, where creatures could finally move with ease until the next blazing day.