A/N: This is the first chapter to one of the new stories I had planned on writing. I should be working on the next chapter of TSofL (those readers please don't kill me), but I had an inspiration that I couldn't let slip by me for this story. This story is a story about after Sasuke's return. It does not follow with the time skip manga/anime. Please let me know what you think because I'm trying out a new writing style for this one. R&R

Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto.

Chapter One: A New Sakura

Sakura had always dreamed of the day Sasuke would return to the village- the day he would return to her. He wouldn't have been drug back to the village defeated, but would return on his own knowing deep down that Konoha was truly where he wanted to be. A crowd would of course form in front of the village gate starting in awe of the great Uchiha. Naruto would rush towards Sasuke with a mind full of a few choice words for his best friend, but Sasuke would cut him off before he could say anything with that oh so familiar growl of his. 'Where is she?' Naruto's frown would slowly turn into a smile. His eyes would soften as he would point towards the crowd that had gathered knowing she was there among the mass bunches of people. The crowd would slowly part making a path to the pink haired kunoichi which Sasuke would eagerly follow. His onyx eyes would meet her emerald ones as he would wipe away the tears falling from her cheeks. Ignoring the watching eyes, he would then confess his undying love for her before planting a passionate kiss upon her lips. His return would be perfect.

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Sakura stood relaxed leaning against the village gate with her arms crossed as she stared off into the horizon. The wind gently blew her short pink hair in her face, but her emerald green eyes never left the sunset ahead of her. Naruto would be returning from his solo mission in search f Sasuke. She had promised she would grow strong and go with him this time, but she hadn't. She had indeed grown stronger in the past three years, but Tsunade needed her to stay and work in the hospital seeing as she was now the top medic in the village with the skills to match the Hokage herself. She had also acquired super-human strength from her mentor making her one of the most ferocious ninjas throughout the entire village.

Sakura had not only grown physically stronger, but emotionally stronger as well. She had been preparing herself for the day Sasuke Uchiha would return t Konoha since the day of his departure. Over the past two years, she had become independent, determined, and confident. She was anything but the weak genin she had previously been who stalked the Uchiha around confessing her undying love for him.

Naruto had been expected to be back early this morning, but now the sun had almost completely set leaving the sky between a dark blue and bright purple at the very edge of the horizon. Sakura's eyes widened as a shadowy figure entered her vision. It was not just one person, but two. Sasuke Uchiha was back.

She didn't move a muscle. Instead, Sakura waited for Naruto to reach the village gate where she had been waiting. She gave Naruto a small smile and a nod before taking Sasuke's arm around her shoulder t help support him long enough to get him to the hospital. She didn't fling her arms around his neck, crying and blabbering on about how much she missed him and how she always knew he would return to her one day. In fact, she didn't say anything at all nor did one tear fall from those emerald green eyes of hers- proof she was a new Sakura.

Sasuke did not take notice of this. Actually, he knew nothing of Sakura as he had blacked out the moment Konoha had came into sight. His body was badly bruised, cut, and all around injured while Naruto had not a scratch on his body. Sakura pondered this, but pushed it out of her mind upon reaching the hospital. Her full concentration was needed now.

She quickly got to work examining the damage Sasuke's body had undergone. After concluding that his life was indeed not in danger, she began to treat his most seriously wounds first. She maintained perfect chakra control as she calmly ran her glowing green hands over a large gash made across his chest that had caused the most blood loss. After closing it, she continued on to treat the other minor external injuries. She also managed to stop the internal bleeding and did what she could to heal the other internal injuries.

After bandaging Sasuke's injured body, she took time to observe her childhood teammate. He had grown much taller in the past three years as she had expected. His hair was styled in the same fashion just slightly a bit longer. Sakura gently placed her hand on Sasuke's cheek. His face was no longer that of a young boy, but of a man. He had a much stronger jaw line, and his facial features had become much more distinct. His skin seemed just as pearly as ever, but his skin tone seemed slightly paler than what she remembered.

"Welcome back," She whispered as she pulled her hand away. She gathered her stuff and headed towards the door. She slid open the door, but before exiting, she gave her childhood love just one more gaze. Sasuke Uchiha was indeed back.

Sakura made her way to the Hokage's tower to report on Sasuke's medical conditions to Tsunade. Many hours had passed since Sakura had first taken Sasuke into the hospital. The moon was shinning brightly over head as a cool breeze lingered in the air. It was strange weather for a spring day as it was, but the day itself had been strange in itself.

She soon found herself standing in front of Tsunade's door. She hesitated before knocking afraid that she may awake her mentor by doing so. She had seen the Hokage's temper many times before so she knew the dangers of awaking her from her sleep. She finally decided to knock on the door knowing it was important that she knew of both Sasuke's return and his medical conditions. She figured Naruto had probably gone out for ramen in celebration and forgot to stop by the Hokage's office. Surprisingly, Tsunade's unmuffled voice immediately could be heard behind the door after Sakura had knocked. "Come in," She commanded.

"You're still awake Shishou?" She asked as she entered her office.

"I could say the same of you Sakura," Tsunade replied as she poured a small amount of sake and offered it to her pink haired apprentice.

"True," She answered accepting the sake.

"Naruto was just here," Tsunade said as to answer Sakura's question.

"Ahh, so you know of Sasuke Uchiha's return then," Sakura stated taking a sip of the sake.

"Yes, Naruto gave me all the details. It seems as if he-"

"Shishou, I need not know the details. It's classified information," Sakura smiled as she cut her off. Tsunade returned her smile noticing the strength exhibited in her voice.

"Very well, how are his medical conditions?" She asked as she took a sip of her sake.

"Sasuke Uchiha is currently in an unconscious state due to a tremendous blood loss. I have healed all the gashes and cuts on his body. He was also suffering from internal bleeding as well, but I have stopped it. He had a broken arm and 3 broken ribs." Sakura rattled off almost mechanically.

"I see. How are his chakra reserves?"

"Very low, but they should recover fully if proper treatment occurs. Presently, I have pushed approximately 42 of my own chakra into his system to help speed up his recovery process." She replied calmly.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she examined Sakura, "You must be exhausted then."

"You said yourself that a medical ninja must have something important to protect," Sakura replied somewhat defiantly.

"Yes, but you-"

"I have two people important to me I have to protect. I've protected Naruto many times now, but I always let Sasuke down. He saved my life numerous times, and all I had been was a burden. I've worked the past three years for the moment where I finally could be the one to protect him. I am not going to fail myself or him this time." Sakura cut her off again knowing what she would say. She felt strongly about this matter as noted by the tone in her voice.

Tsunade nodded in understanding and then smiled. Sakura had truly blossomed under her guidance. She remembered the determination in Sakura's eyes as she had first asked her to be her mentor. It was that same determination that made her agree to take her under her wing. Now looking at Sakura, she could see that same determination in her eyes despite having now protected both of them fro the brink of death though. "What kind of treatment do you suspect he'll require?"

"It's hard to say seeing as he is still unconscious. He will definitely need to stay hospitalized for at least two weeks. After which time, it is possible that he may or may not require home medical attention."

"Very well, when do you expect him to re-enter consciousness?"

"Tomorrow around noon,"

Tsunade smiled again at Sakura's growth. Under the treatment of any medic ninja other than herself and Shizune, he would not have been expected to awake for at least a week. Sakura still had an unlimited amount of potential to grow even stronger. Soon, Tsunade thought Sakura would surpass her own abilities. "I'll expect you to be there."

"Hai," Sakura replied not arguing. She was ready for any obstacle her master through in her way.

"You are relieved of your morning shift as well. Rest until then, okay?"

"Hai," She replied knowing she would indeed need the rest. She had pushed herself to the limits tonight and knew it would take time to recover.

"So how have you been holding up considering recent events?" Tsunade asked knowing it was a touchy subject. Sakura had become like a daughter to her so she knew of the inner struggles Sakura had been dealing with in the past three years.

"It's good to have him back," Sakura answered trying to mask the feelings she had yet to confront.

"That's not what I asked." She could see through Sakura's defenses.

"I'm doing fine Shishou. It pained to see him, but I somehow feel better knowing that he his back. It's just… calming to see him despite the pain in brings back," Sakura replied trying to maintain her strength.

"And your feelings for him?"

"He is my lost teammate."

"Very well," Tsunade smiled noticing the emotional strength her apprentice had acquired as well. She could see the pain in Sakura's eyes, but she could also see that pain was in the past. "You should be getting to sleep."

"Thank you Shishou!" Sakura exclaimed as she threw her arms around Tsunade's neck giving her a hug. She wasn't thanking for her for dismissing her, but for the person she had allowed her to become.

"I need to be getting to work," Tsunade replied as she patted Sakura on the back.

"You're not going to sleep?" Sakura asked on her way to the door.

"It's not everyday an S-class criminal returns, and you know the damn paper work that will require." She laughed despite the long night she would have in front of her.

"So very true. Night Shishou!" Sakura laughed on her way out the door only to find Naruto waiting for her in the hallway.

"Hey Sakura-chan!" He bubbled. "Wanna go out for ramen to celebrate?"

Sakura smiled, but then placed her hands on her hips. "Only if you're paying," She said acting annoyed but truly in a playful way.

"Aww I always pay!" Naruto whined.

"Fine, I'll treat you… this time." Sakura laughed.

"You're the greatest Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed. "Besides, I'm broke anyways," He laughed as he scratched the back of his head.

Sakura rolled her eyes hitting him lightly on top of his head. "You never change." Naruto and Sakura had become best friends in the past three years. They usually spent their free time together when Sakura wasn't working in the hospital or Naruto wasn't off on a mission.

"So does Kakashi know of Sasuke's return yet?" Sakura asked as they sat down at Ichiruka's.

"Nope, I was thinking you and me should tell him together. Hey! Maybe team 7 can get back together!" Naruto smiled as he ordered his favorite bowl of ramen.

"Maybe," Sakura smiled as she placed her order as well. She hadn't thought of team 7 being reunited, but she supposed it was a possibility.

"Yeah, but now I gotta focus on becoming Hokage. Believe it!"

Sakura's smile disappeared. She knew that Naruto had put off his dream to fulfill his promise to her. "Yeah…" She sighed.

"Oi, Sakura-chan, why did the bastard blackout? He was fine, but then when we almost reached the village, he just blacked out."

"Tremendous blood loss. Did you not even think about bandaging some of his wounds before you dragged him back?"

"Oh, Hehehe," Naruto laughed scratching the back of his head again. He was never the brightest when it came to taking care of injuries. Soon, a bowl of ramen was placed in front of him and he dove in, devouring every morsel of it. Sakura just stared at her ramen not hungry.

"I bet you're pretty proud of yourself huh, not having even got a scratch from the great Uchiha," Sakura said as she got up tossing some money on the counter.

"Well, the funny thing is I get the feeling-" He cut his own self off. "Oi Sakura-chan, aren't you going to eat that?" He asked as he pointed towards her bowl of ramen.

"No you can have it!" She shouted as she ran off towards her apartment.

Naruto stared in bewilderment as she hadn't even listened to what he had to say. "I think he wanted to come back," He mumbled knowing Sakura would not hear him. He looked at the ramen next to him. "Oh well, better not let some perfectly good ramen go to waste!" He exclaimed as he began to devour the next dish.

Sakura soon slowed from her run to a slow, steady walking pace as exhaustion set in. She drug herself up the stairs of her apartment and into her room. The day was finally over that she had waited and prepared herself for three long years- the day Sasuke Uchiha would return. It wasn't the way she had dreamed of when she was younger, but she never really believed it would be. His feelings for her were obvious. This was a day of closing and beginning. Today, she had closed the chapter of her life about Sasuke, and she was now ready to open a new one. Today had been a test of her strength, and she had indeed passed it with flying colors. Sakura Haruno was a new Sakura indeed.