"Hold him down!" The captain snarled as he walked closer to the group of shinobi pinning their catch to the ground. Proud yet pained smiles pointed to their captain as they tightened their grip along their victim's arms. Dark gray skin wrinkled within the grips of the shinobi as they held the raven haired man knelt before them. "Is the seal set?" the captain growled once again as he knelt down to the rouge. "Uchiha…"

Blood spattered over the battle ground as five shinobi sat on the ground; completing a seal to restrain the man. Sasuke knelt with his nose nearly to the ground as eight shinobi held him down. Two on each of his arms, keeping the joints locked so that pain would ring throughout his body if he thrashed, while the others held the bat wings springing from his back. "Do you know what you've done, Uchiha?" the captain snarled as his fingers snarled within the man's hair; jerking his head up to look him in the eyes.

Sasuke's face was blank, blood dripping from his cobalt eyes; they had drained his stamina and his chakra was slowly leaving as the sealing jutsu syphoned it from him. "You've killed more than fifty people, Uchiha," the man snarled as he threw the man's face down, sneering darkly as he stood up; the thought of kicking the man running through his head. "Your comrades are nearly dead because of you!"

Everyone, besides Sasuke, flinched at their commander's tone. "Commander…" a woman's voice echoed, visibly upset by the situation.

"No!" the man snarled once again, looking back at his team. "Uzumaki is in a coma and Haruno wont last 'til morning. Even she couldn't heal the villagers!" His teeth grit together as his dark eyes lit up with tears, "We cant let him continue!" He looked down to the Uchiha and gave a low growl, "he doesn't even care," venom dripping from his tongue. "We mine as well just execute him here!" As the commander turned back to the broken Uchiha, he rose his katana high in the sky.

"Commander…" the woman gasped out again, eyes widening, as she looked behind him earning everyone's gaze. "It's Haruno-sama…"

Everyone's eyes looked over the captain's shoulder, the moonlight lighting up the forest as if it were daylight. Pastel pink stood out against the brush almost as much as the glistening crimson that covered her body. "No way," someone gasped out as they watched the lead medic of the Leaf Village stagger across the grass looking nothing more than a walking corpse.

Everyone stood frozen as the woman hobbled her way closer, silent as the blood dripped from her body. Torn clothes stained with blood as her cuts continued to bleed, never inhibiting her journey to the Uchiha. She held her side, a large gash clearly visible from where the Uchiha's chidori. Dark lashes hide her eyes as she looked at her childhood love. Her bruised lips parted and breathed out his name, "S-Sasuke-kun…" as she passed the captain.

"Haruno-sama," the captain addressed her, disbelief filling his eyes as the woman got within inches of the cursed man, "Haruno-sama, there's no saving him," the man ordered as he reached for the pinkette's bare shoulder.

"Shut up," Sakura snarled, her eyes slowly looking up the man. The captain felt his body jolt with fear as he stared into the sharp emerald eyes; glistening with deadly intent. Tears glistened in her eyes as she stared at the man, "I will not leave him like this!"

"Haruno-sama…"

"One last try," she whimpered as she held back her tears, agony in her voice from watching the man. Everyone stood shocked as the fragile pinkette knelt down in front of the raven haired man. Tears threated to escape as she slowly reached out for him. Her tentative fingers brushed against his jawline as she slowly embraced his face, cupping her hands around his face. He was cold, limp in her hands, not responding to the touch.

A soft smile played upon her lips as she felt a faint pulse beneath the cold grey skin. Glistening emerald eyes fluttered shut as she let her tears fall, "Sasuke-kun," she called out quietly as her resolve began to break. Her head hung low, pastel bangs falling over her eyes. "damn it," she growled out as her fingers tightened behind his jaw, "Don't do this to us again, Sasuke-kun, not again!" Tears fell from her eyes freely, soaking the ground with something. "You cant do this to Naruto!" she called out as she looked up into his dull lifeless eyes. "How dare you do this… we cant lose you again. You're part of team seven!"

Everyone looked away as the woman professed her feelings again. "Come back to us, Sasuke-kun," she pleaded as her tears mixed with the dried blood that stained her face. "Come back to Konoha, come back to Naruto," her lips trembled as she leaned in and brushed her lips against his; expecting no reaction, "I-I love you," she sobbed as her right hand slowly slid up into his hair. Her fingers laced lightly within his ebony locks as she leaned her forehead against his, silence falling over the shinobi.

Light erupted through the forest as the Yin Seal on Sakura's forehead activated. "Haruno-sama!"

Teary eyed, Sakura gave a soft smile as her seal spread across her skin and crept across the Uchiha's face. "Sasuke-kun," she whimpered as her chakra entered the Uchiha from the simple intimate touch. "You're not this monster. Please… Come back to me…"

Everyone watched as Sakura's wounds opened up further, blood spilling across her alabaster legs. The kunoichi flinched in pain as her tears continued to escape her glistening eyes. "Come back to me…" she echoed quietly as her emerald eyes bore into the onyx eyes of her teammate.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Surrounded by darkness, Sasuke lay still as the sound continued. Raising his hand in front of his face. "Where am I?" he asked quietly. Red ran through his fingers, carving streams down his palms, "Blood?"

"You're not this monster…"

Sasuke's eyes widened, "I did this… What have I done." He felt cold as he felt the blood run over his skin; consuming him. "I am a monster."

"Come back to me…"

Light erupted through Sasuke's eyes as life returned to his body, "S-Sa… ku… ra…" Sasuke croaked as he felt her warm chakra bring him back to his humanity; the scent of blood consuming his senses.

The captain's eyes widened quickly as he watched the cursed seal slowly dissipate the moment Sasuke became coherent. "Let go of him!" he demanded quickly turning to the shinobi keeping the seal, "Don't let him leave the seal!"

Sakura pressed her nose against his as her thumb ran softly against the Uchiha's skin, "I'm right here, Sasuke-kun," she choked on her tears as she tried to laugh. "Come back to me," she called again as she felt her body begin to tremble. Don't give out on me, not now.

"Sa… kura…" Sasuke pulled away quickly, never leaving her touch, looking the pinkette up and down. "Sakura," tears brimmed at the corners of his eyes as he looked down at the blood pooling under her.

Sakura gave a bitter smile, "Try and relax, Sasuke-kun," she cooed softly as her simple touch against his skin attempted to calm him down. Dark rings were becoming visible under her glistening eyes. Her yin seal began to retract as her breathing became haggard, "They're going to take care of you now…"

Emerald eyes closed as her hands dropped from his cheeks; her body swaying. "Sakura!" He called out as he lurched forward as the woman fell. He grabbed her shoulders, eyes widening as he watched tears continue stream down her face. She was cold, her skin losing color as her eyes struggled to stay open. "Sakura!" he called again as he pressed his ear to his her chest. "Don't die…"

Her arms encircled him slowly, pressing his head against her chest. He looked up into the foggy eyes of the woman who had pulled him out of darkness, "You came back to us." Her thumb ran over his check, "Let's go home," she whispered as she kissed the crown of his head.

Darkness

That's all there was. He couldn't remember anything as his body stirred beneath the heavy cloak of shadows. He could not see, but the radiating pain throughout his body screamed of his mortality. How long had he been in such darkness? How long had he felt the burning pain within himself?

"Come back to me, Sasuke-kun," a soft voice cooed as silk brushed against a sensitive cheek. Light erupted throughout the darkness; warmth quickly following as the Uchiha pressed his cheek against the warmth. "I've been waiting for you…"

Her voice echoed throughout the darkness, bringing light and warmth to whatever it touched. He could feel a smirk creeping upon his face as the darkness dissipated; for once he welcomed the warmth. Blinding white was all he could see, his eyes adjusting to light within the room. Turning his head to the bedside stand he felt his whole body relax; a small vase of daffodils sat bathing in the sun. She was here, was all he could think, a weak smile slowly tugging on his lips as he let himself relax. Sakura…

The sound of the door creaking open alerted the cobalt haired shinobi, "Uchiha-san, you're allowed to leave whenever you feel that your chakra has returned to you." The cheery voice of the nursing staff nearly gave the man a headache, "Your clothes are where they normally are after your missions!"

Sasuke walked silently down the streets of Konoha, staring absent mindedly at the stones beneath his feet. How long had been since he hadn't heard her voice? Sakura, he thought to himself as his fists clenched within his pockets, Almost two years since that night… His head snapped up suddenly, his senses perking up as he passed their old training grounds. A soft giggle echoed throughout the wind, only to reach his ears. Sakura?

Sasuke walked up to the training grounds in silence, hidden amongst the leaves, only to be surprised by the empty field. The wind pushed lightly at his clothing as he stared absentmindedly into the emptiness of the training grounds. With a heavy sigh, Sasuke walked through the open field only to let his thoughts consume him once again.

It had been eighteen months since Uchiha Sasuke had been put in Haruno Sakura's personal care. Eighteen months since she pulled him from his own darkness. Eighteen months since her chakra began flowing through him; keeping him alive through missions. Over the years Sasuke was allowed on missions only with the watchful eyes of one of team seven. He bowed his head as his thoughts echoed through his head.

"Sasuke-kun?" two voice rang out from behind him. Sasuke turned to see two of his teammates standing holding hands. A brow rose in confusion as he looked at his look alike then back to the blushing pinkette. Sai gave his usual fake smile and looked over the Uchiha, "What are you up to, Sasuke-kun?"

With his hands deep in his pockets, Sasuke gave a quiet growl, "I was going to ask you the same thing."

"We were just going for a walk," Sakura chimed softly as she nervously scratched her head with her free hand.

Sai looked at her in confusion, "But, Sakura-chan, I thought we were on a date?" He questioned in pure confusion. Sai's onyx eyes widened slightly as he turned towards the pastelled haired woman, speaking behind his hand before muttering, "Did you not want Sasuke-kun to know?"

Sasuke felt his hands clench in his pockets as his eyes turned to the kunoichi; silently asking her to confirm or deny both of the statements.

Well that was fun! Who liked it? Anyone? Reviews would be awesome!

For all the Sakura fans, please dont think i'm making her weak in this chapter (or any chapter for that matter!) I love Sakura's strength and try and show it off as much as possible but for this chapter Sasuke needed a bit of nurturing...