Hello guys this is Chapter 2 of Broken and Bent! Please excuse any spelling mistakes (if there are any) and do leave a review :)))

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. The plot however is the intellectual property of the author and any resemblance to life is purely a coincidence.


Chapter 1: Broken and Bent Friendship

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"She learned to stop loving just when he learned to start."

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Uchiha Sasuke exited the Hokage's office, walking beside his female team-mate; Haruno Sakura.

It had been Months since he last talked to her, He accompanied her during her Mission in Wave. He could say it ended badly, they were sent to gather information Hirota Makoto. The Drug dealer Lord's partner in Wave presumably kidnapping under aged children and sells them on the black market.

They split ways to cover more ground, their lead said about a private bar Hirota usually went… Sakura decided to go check there.

It been 2 hours before he met up with Sakura at the bar; She was with their Target, chatting him up and slyly gathering information. Sasuke didn't like how their target looked at Sakura though; it was like Chouji looking at the last piece of chips. It pissed him off, especially when the man's hands travelled up her thigh.

Thinking they had enough information, he threw 2 long senbons at the man's eyes, killing him instantly, earning a glare from Sakura who was obviously not done extracting information.

He understood it was her job; He was irritated, he didn't think Sakura was right for the Mission; sure she was pretty and strong but she was his team-mate. A girl he used to know, someone he (yes He, though he won't admit it) and Naruto would always be protective about.

But their naïve, girly and helpless Sakura was gone

War changes people; they get wiser, they gain confidence and strength, they realize things that they didn't before. Sakura was no exception, she was wiser, stronger, hell she could even fling a large boulder at them without breaking a sweat.

Ever since he came back to Konoha, their relationship -if they even had one before- was far from normal. She no longer fawned about him, no longer asking him out, only talking to him when needed and generally avoiding him. He liked space and privacy but her behavior was so un-Sakura like, it disturbed him. Irritated him. Annoyed him. He wasn't used to it

She'd been on his mind ever since their Mission in Wave; he refuses to admit it.

Was it her eyes that night? Her confidence? Was it her smile? Or was it that another man had touched her?

NO.

It was because she was his, she'd always been his. She was his team-mate, she was his fangirl, and she was his friend. It was not Love, he concluded. It couldn't be Love. Maybe he was acting and thinking this way because he and the rest of the team were protective about their only female.

Yeah, probably; He cared about her, he did not know if he loved her though.

Glancing towards her lithe form, he noted how her hair had grown longer; the dark circles under her eyes from sleepless nights in the hospital. Had she even eaten yet?

He didn't know why she was avoiding him but he planned to.

She flinched under his gaze, "Sasuke-kun?" she said softly, looking confused. Suddenly a sound emitted, it was her stomach grumbling. "Ah, gomenasai Sasuke-kun" She added quietly with a faint blush on her cheeks. Why me? She thought, mentally scolding herself.

He said nothing, stuffing his hands in his pockets and kept on walking. She stared at him for a second before she saw him look back at her, tilting his head a bit and walked away.

"Huh? Ah, wait up Sasuke-kun!" realizing that he was signaling her to follow him, she started to walk faster and caught up with him.


They walked pass the crowds of people in the streets, Konoha's streets were still busting with life. It was only 8 pm, most Civilians had probably gone home by now though some remained. The streets were lit with bright lights and filled with lively store vendors calling in customers.

She and Sasuke walked towards Ichiraku, seeing their blonde hyper-active team-mate eating ramen with 4 empty bowls already in front of him.

Naruto looked at them both and gave them his signature smile. "Sakura-chan! Teme!" Sakura sat on his left, "Hello Naruto, eating alone? Where's Hinata? She greeted. "Don't tell me she left you already?" Taunted Sakura.

"Mou, Sakura-chan!" he grumbled, making her laugh.

Sasuke sat next to Sakura ordering his food, "Che, Dobe."

"What was that Teme!?"

"Hn."

A melodious laugh interrupted them; Sakura was talking to Ayame, grinning and laughing about something her boys didn't hear.

Ayame handed them their Ramen, "Hai, Pork for you Sakura" placing it down in front of her, "and Beef for Sasuke!" Teuchi added, handing him his bowl.

Sakura picked up her chopsticks and grabbed the salt, "So Naruto, why are you all alone tonight? You haven't told me yet." She started, Sasuke listening.

Slurping more of his ramen, he replied. "They're having a clan meeting; Neji took her away while we were on our date, -ttebayo."

"So, how about you Sakura-chan? I haven't seen you around. No missions lately?" asked Naruto looking curious. He missed her, getting tired of being stuck on Missions withSasuke all the time. Mumbling something about 'sick bastard, banning Ramen on our missions'

"Actually we got an escort mission tomorrow, it'll take a week or so."

"We?" he questioned.

"Sasuke-kun and I, Shishou called us in earlier."

Naruto looked at them both, "Not fair guys! Why didn't Baa-chan call me as well!?"

"Hn, Dobe"

"Shut up Sasuke-Teme!"

Sakura sighed; her migraine was coming back; Naruto's constant banters making it worse. "SHUT THE HELL UP, SHANNARO!" She yelled, smacking him without chakra.

Rubbing his head, "Mou, that hurt Sakura-chan!"

"Hmph, you should never have yelled in public Baka!"

Sasuke Shifted in his seat and stood up, looking at Sakura "We meet at the First gate, 5 am sharp." he spoke and walked away, leaving money on the table enough for two; disappearing into the night.

Seeing Sakura sigh, Naruto grinned. "Don't worry Sakura-chan; Teme's just got a stick up his ass again. He's probably still pissed 'cause I beat him during our spar!"

She stood up, "Yeah… I'm sorry Naruto, I gotta go. It's getting late…"

"Oh, Oh yeah. Wait up, atleast let me walk you home Sakura-chan!" He said standing up and hastily leaves money on the table "Bye, Old man, Ayame-nee! Money's on the table, -Ttebayo!"

They walked down the streets, opting to walk down a quieter lane. The moon was out and shone brightly, it was a cool night; the wind was gently howling, crickets chirping near them.

"Nee, Sakura-chan. When are you gonna join us for training again? Teme and Asshole aren't any fun. We kinda miss you… dattebayo"

"Yeah right…" She replied quietly.

"No, no, no I swear! Teme doesn't say anything but I swear it's bothering him! And-and Sai has also been wondering where you were. You haven't joined us last week… and the week before."

"I… was busy…" She said, walking faster.

"You still love him, don't you…?" He whispered.

She laughed and sighed "I-I don't know… I'm tired of him and his compliments."

"C'mon Sakura-chan you know he doesn't mean it"

She scoffed, "You guys were on a mission last month… Tsunade was supposed to assign me as your medic but you guys objected… I heard him say I wasn't right for the job"

"Sasuke just doesn't want you hurt, it was S-rank! And it was a seduction mission!" He defended.

"So you guys thought I couldn't do it huh? Sure, leave Sakura why don't you. She won't mind. It's always been like this Naruto! We are a Team but you guys constantly leave me!..." She said; her tone slightly louder.

He didn't know what to say, her eyes were moist with tears forming around her eyes.

They stopped walking, reaching her apartment complex "Thank you for walking me home Naruto, I appreciate it. Sayonara" she said, bidding him goodnight and kissed his cheeks.


She entered her apartment, her head throbbing; walking towards her shower and undressing, she turned on the faucet letting the warm water rid her of her stress.

Stepping out of her shower, she dons on her baggy shirt and wore shorts underneath. Sleep would be nice now, she thought.

But she had to pack for tomorrow's mission; grabbing her weapon pouch, a few clothes and emergency supplies, she threw them inside her pack. She couldn't find any more energy to pack and crashed on top of her bed wanting to never wake up again.

She drifted into slumber and dreamt of a man with blood-red eyes…

Uchiha Sasuke


So guys I hope you enjoyed this Chapter and stay tuned for the next one! Feel free to leave a review :))))