He has decided. No more running away from feelings he felt against a certain kunoichi. He knew that he had hurt her many times before, left her on damn bench at freaking night, not to mention he knocked her out, just to be sure she wont beg anymore. If he hadn't done it, he would have changed his mind. She sounded so desperate when admiting her feelings and what did he? Oh yeah, he acted like the cold bastard he never wanted to become. That's not even the worst. He also planned to destroy her village. Their village. For something that had happened long time ago, true, it ruined any childhood he could have had, his brother would be still alive and so do their parents.
Pathetic. He was, is and will be pathetic if he wont change what he is and make up for all the suffering he caused her and their best friend.
He knew Naruto will forgive him as he was the kindest person he knew, though, he can be really annoying but that's nothing compared to the hopeless tries of Karin trying to seduce him. He was flattered, yes, but it was tiresome and he soon found it only troublesome and tried to distance himself from her as much as he could, yet not hurting her. He was done hurting others. That's why he agreed to go back to Konoha, making a hero out of Naruto – the one who captured the missing nin. Maybe it was a selfish reason he agreed to return; he knew that he whole ninja world was after him and the thought of dying from someone's hands he didn't knew wasn't quit pleasant, if you ask him. Though, he risked to get killed at home also but at least he would die in a familiar place. He owed his life to Kakashi-sensei who fought for his rights to live, against the elders. He said he would watch after him and make sure he wont cause any trouble to the village. Now he had a home arrest for three months; he couldn't step outside the village not to mention going on missions. But he didn't minded that, he had received a second chance and he wont destroy it by doing something stupid and get banned from the village or worse – killed as an enemy. But the only second chance he cared of is the one he was eager to receive from Sakura.
He's been back for alsmot a month and had joined his old team at training, Sai was also there. He sure was one very weird human being. He smirked at the though that this pale, almost paper white boy was his replacement in the team. Sai kinda looked like him too, but not close as strong or handsome as he was. Yes, he was very aware of how he affected the girls. Ino's inhumanly high scream seeing him coming back still haunted him in nightmares. He had hoped that Sakura would hug him, cry and say she's very happy to see him, but instead she just stood there with a calm look on her face, waiting for him to come closer and then? Then she punched him in the guts. Unexpectedly and really hard. But he assumed that he deserved that. Still, he was astonished of how strong she had become. He remembered this weak and mostly scared, closed to crying girl, though, with an exellent chakra controle. Now she was Konohas best medic nin, after the Hokage of course, and probably one of the most seductive women around and he wasn't going to do the same mistake again. Getting back her trust he destroyed so unwisely eight years ago will take a lot of time, but he was ready to fight for his love.
He had observed her at the training and came to a conclusion that her strength was more monstrous than he had experienced on his own body. She had grown both physically and mentally and he liked her even more. Quite a firecracker she had become. Even Kakashi-sensei gave her some desperate looks when she wasn't looking. That old perv! But he could understand him.
He finally left his apartament the Hokage had kindly given him and went out looking for either her or Naruto. He found them both at Ichiraku's, eating and chatting about something just like the old days. Before joining them he watched Sakura for a moment. She had an angelic smile and her green eyes were so full of joy and happiness, that he remained stunned for a moment. He loved her hair long. Then he snapped out of his daydreams and approached them.
"Oh, hey, Sasuke!" Naruto greeted him with a wide smile on his face.
"Hello, Naruto. Sakura." Sakura just nodded and gave him a faint smile and soon turned her face away. It kinda cut his heart but he was ready for this. "So, what are we going to do tonight? What do shinobi of Konoha do on fridays?" He tried to suppress his anti-social instincts that were in his blood. He wanted to be better for Sakura and he knew she was a very outgoing person and used to go out on weekends.
"Well, we could hang out with the others at the pub later, right, Sakura?" The woman flinched when Naruto mentioned her name.
"Yeah, we could. Definitely. Hey, guys would you mind if I'll leave now? I forgot something at the hospital." She seemed nervous.
"Yeah, no problem, Sakura. Sasuke and I will pick you up at 8 pm." Sakura was about to leave when Sasuke decided to take his chances.
"Do you mind if I go with you, Sakura?" She stopped and the slowly faced him. She smiled an apologetic smile when she answered.
"Actually, I do mind. I don't want to leave Naruto alone, besides he's buying, so feel free to join him." And then she left, followed by Naruto's 'hey, since when I'm buying!' yells.
"Hey," he felt Naruto's hand on his shoulder. "Give her some time. She will forgive you, just be patient."
"Hn."
Later when it was almost 8pm, Naruto and Sasuke stood by Sakura's door and knocked. They heard a silent 'I'm coming' and waited. When she opened the door, Sasuke gasped seeing her. She wore black, tight pants, white tank top and black heels, her hair in a messy knot. Simple but at the same time sexy enough to make every men look back at her.
"So, how do I look, Naruto?"
"Awesome like always!"
"Let's go then. I promised Ino we wont be late." She avoided any eye contact with Sasuke and went out of the house and then took place by Naruto's side.
"So, what did you forgot at the hospital, Sakura?" Sasuke still didn't want to let his chances down.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Some boring paper work Shizune wanted me to finish." She answered until Naruto cut her off.
"Sasuke, you wouldn't believe how awesome Sakura is. She can punch through almost everything, though you must have seen that already at training. Oh, and she can heal any wound you have. She's the best medic in Konoha after all!"
"Naruto, shut up or I will punch you to the other side of Konoha! And you wouldn't want that because Hinata wont talk to you for a week. Now, get your ass in the pub!" She hadn't lost her temper and maybe even she's more hot blooded than before. Sasuke liked that, he wouldn't want her to be some broken wrack, even and especially if it was his fault.
When they entered the pub, some girl from the table at the back of the room vigorously waved them and shouted: "Sakura! Over here!" Sakura's face immdiately changed into a wide smile. "Temari! What the hell are you doing here? Trying to bewitch our Shika?" She laughed as she hugged the said woman and Sasuke loved the sound of her voice.
"No. Temari is here because Gaara sent her to deal with some diplomatic stuff. And now she's taking break from it." Shikamaru answered at the same time putting his arms around Temari's waist. Sasuke still couldn't believe how close the relationship between Konoha and Suna had become. Last time he checked, Gaara was this beast who tried to kill them. Apparantely they've forgotten about that incident.
"So, Sasuke. How are you feeling today?" Shikamaru's voice awakened him from thoughts.
"I'm good." Shikamaru nodded and then turned his attention to the people who were talking. Naruto was busy with Hinata and Sakura was in a deep conversation with Ino and Tenten and he didn't want to disturb them, so he watched the other people who were at the pub.
After two more hours they all were slightly drunk and having fun when the older jonin arrived.
"Oye, Kakashi! Come here!" Naruto tried to outvoice the noise of music and other people talking. Kakshi and the others came to them and Sasuke, shocked, saw how one of them put his arms around Sakuras waist and kissed her on neck.
"Genma. You're late." She chuckled.
"No, babe, I'd say you're early." The man she had called Genma put her arms around his neck and kissed her lips. "Wanna go out, have some fresh air?" Sakura, despite what had Sasuke hoped, nodded. "Guys, I'm gonna kidnap Sakura for a while."
"Yeah, but bring my Pinky back soon!" Temari shouted behind them.
Sasuke was angry. How dare he touch and kiss Sakura, when he was meant to be doing this. Plus the acohol in his blood helped him to decide to go after them and demand some answers. He headed towards the exit when something stopped him. He turned and saw Kakashi.
"Let me go, Kakashi!"
"No. I wont let you do this." Kakashi's single and piercing eye looked at him.
"Why not?" Now Sasuke was really pissed. Who the hell Kakashi thought he was? He had the right to ask some questions to that bastard who took away Sakura from him.
"Because she is happy, Sasuke." An answer like that he hadn't expected. His mind was suddenly blank and he looked to his ex-sensei with eyes wide open. "If you do this to her, if you take Genma away from her, she wont ever forgive you. You have to accept that eight years have passed away and a lot of things has changed. Including her feelings to you." Sasuke felt like someone had just slapped his face. He had never even thought of the possibility that Sakura doesn't love him anymore. He had always thought that she felt the same after these years.
"Does he...love her?" He had to know that.
Kakashi sighed. "Let's sit down for a moment." He pointed to a free table "Well, Genma's not the long term relationship type, he's more the one night stand guy and probably has had more women than the rest of us together, but Sakura's changed him. Ever since I introduced Sakura to the other jonin, those two have been inseparable. They've been dating for almost a year and I've never seen either of them so happy. I didn't like this at the beginning either. He's my age and she's my ex-student. Iruka and I spent a lot of time in talking the sense in them, but without success. They even moved in together few weeks ago. So, I assume, yes, he loves her. And I have to admit, they're made for each other."
So, now he had to accept that the reason why he came back doesn't want him anymore and loves some other guy? And as to make him suffer more, the happy couple soon came back holding hands and laughing. Kakashi gave him a sympathetic smile. "Hey, there's plenty of fish in the sea. Ino's still single and I bet she still has crush on you."
If only Ino was the one he wanted.
He looked one more time at Sakura, then to Ino and sighed. I guess I'll have to deal with it. He wanted Sakura to be happy and if meant for her to be together with an older guy, then he had no right to demand his needs.
"Hey, Ino! You're free tonight?"
