Chapter two: A Return, a Mission and Changes

I lived like this for some weeks now. And to be honest, I can't complain. I still don't know what happened to me that morning, but I could care less-everyone (myself included) is more happy now. And to be honest again I hoped I could live like this for more than just those weeks. Again my hopes were destroyed by three simple words:

Sasuke is back.

There was a time I would have cheered and jumped up to run to him. This time I sunk back into my seat. Tsunade dismissed the Shinobi, who brought the message, and looked at me worried. "Sakura-Chan?" She asked careful. I looked up and tried to smile- it failed miserable at the look of hers.

WHY had he to come back? WHY NOW? I just wanted to forget him!!! Calm down. I'm sure we can find a way to make him pay for the pain he gave us! My Inner said with an evil smirk. The door opened again and Shizune came in "We need the Top-Medics at the hospital! Quick, or I'm sure Sasuke cant make it!" This got me slightly off guard. I supposed him to come back with an arrogant smirk on his arrogant face. I got up. I wanted revenge, so I couldn't let him die. I will make his life a living hell… …Do you care if I join you?

On the way to the hospital Shizune said Sasuke was found by ANBU lying on the forest soil in a pool of blood. I let out a low sigh. It was like my nightmare…

"Do you want to treat him, or shall I?" Tsunade asked with a blank expression. "I will assist." I decided because my Inner was babbling about how I could ´accidentally kill him. THAT would be too easy… Not that Tsunade-Shisou would mind if he died…

So after half an hour Sasuke was healed and I had to check on him. Grrrr… How could she?! Maybe she wanted to do us a favour? I asked sarcastic. A FAVOURMy Inner began screaming on top of her lungs (ok, she began swearing…) and I was cut off as someone slapped me across the face. I shook my head in confusion and shock. I looked around and faced Sasukes angry face. "What the hell was that for?!" I yelled at him. He seemed slightly puzzled at my harsh tone and didn't answer. "Cat caught your tongue?" I asked annoyed at his Uchiha-Thingy. Slowly my cheek began burning so I healed it. "Do you have something to say or are you going to stare at me all day long?" I asked and all the anger came back.

-You're too weak. -

-Still alive? I'm surprised. I thought you would be dead already…-

-Weakling…-

Cause he still didn't answered I made my way to the door, but "Where are you going?"

"Oh! So you can speak?" I asked sarcastically. "Stop acting like a child and answer!" he ordered. I laughed and with a blink of an eye I was beside his bed and looked down on him. "Shut up Uchiha. Don't order me around." "Then simply answer my question. I hate to repeat myself." He snapped. That cold voice of his and the glare could have had affect on everyone else, but I had suffered enough pain because of this bastard. "None of your business." I turned my back at him again when he stopped me again "Still so weak?" he asked in a teasing voice. "Pardon, I think I didn't understood what you said…" "Still so weak that you cant even answer a simple question of mine without crying or nearly fainting?" he repeated loud. I grabbed him by his collar and could hear him gasp in pain. I smiled. Not my old happy and cheering smile, but an evil and sad smile. "Does it hurt, Sasuke-KUN?" I asked. He shook his head, no, but I could feel him shiver-I'm a medic after all. "I can make it even more painful…" with that I sent some Chakra in his body and his eyes widened in shock, pain and even a little fear. I laughed. "Doesn't hurt that badly, ne, Sasuke-Kun?" I asked sweetly and increased the Chakra amount so he moaned in pain. I shook my head and stopped my torture "You're not worth my Chakra. Not anymore." I said sadly and finally left the room. Leaving a very weakened Sasuke behind.

Outside I found Tsunade leaning against the wall. I blushed a little at my outburst. She looked at me thoughtful. "I'm just ignoring it this time. I have to admit he earns more torture than this, especially from you, but don't do it again. Don't let the anger blind you." I nodded and she walked into the room.

Everyone in the whole village knew the fact that Sasuke was back at the next morning. Tsunade gave ma a day off ´to calm down. At noon Naruto who just had visited Sasuke visited me. "He didn't speak nice of you…" He stated. I smirked and told him about our little talk. "Sasuke-Teme slapped you?" I nodded and smiled. "Don't mind. He wont does it again." "Gotta go Saku-Chan!!! Training with Ero-Sennin, ya know…" he yelled excited "But I can visit you later again!!!" I smiled. "No, its all right. You should care more for your girlfriend. Take her out to dinner or something, and say her I say ´Hi." He smiled and left. Since I hadn't other things to do I decided to tale a bath. The water was nice and warm…

I slightly jumped. I fell asleep due the hot water and I had heard a sound. CRACK! I shrugged. It sounded like a thief or something. Then there were steps on the stars. I grabbed a towel to cower myself up and a kunai. There was a knock on the bathroom door. "Are you in there Sakura-San?" I sighed. It was just Shizune. "Hai. Wait a minute I'm coming."

"We will miss you!!!" Ino glomped me for the third time. "Yeah, I know. It's just for three months. Its maybe better when I'm away for some time." She nodded. She knew why I wanted to go. Because of him. "We'll visit you, Saku-Chan!!" I nodded. "I'll come around when you become Hokage." I promised. He nodded. "Are you coming Sakura-San?" asked Kankuro. My mission was to stay in Suna for three months and teach some medics there. I nodded again.

Three months later…

The village hasn't changed much in three months… Yeah, you're right. I walked through the gates of my beloved village. I had missed the forest and all the colours while I stayed in Suna. Everything was brown or yellow there… I walked up to the guard to inform them about my return, because I was one week to early. I froze when I recognized the person: Sasuke.

He just looked at me with a blank expression. Lets get over with this. Just say as little as possible! "Hello. I'm back a week earlier than said. Here's my passport." I handed it to him "Thanks." I turned and wanted to walk away, but he stopped me. "Sakura- I'm sorry I slapped you back then. But I asked you a question five times and you seemed kind of in dreams." I turned around surprised. Did he just APOLOGIZE? I can't believe it, but I think he did…

I was rather speechless so I nodded and made my way to the Hokage Office.

"Saaaakuuuraaa!!!" I was greeted by a drunk Tsunade. I sighed. She hadn't changed at all.

"Yeah. Here's my report." But Tsunade was asleep. I shook my head and called for Shizune. "Can you take care of her, please? I want to go home and rest a little…"

But there wasn't much rest. As soon as I reached my apartment the phone rang. "Yes?" I asked annoyed. I travelled for four days non-stop and wanted a little rest! "Hey! Here's Ino!! How are you? How did the mission go? Where there any hot guys in Suna?" I smiled. It was so typical for Ino to ask for the guys. "Why don't you come over and we can talk?" I asked. "I'm meeting the other girls in half an hour in a new café. I'm sure they want to know everything too. Why don't you join us?" "See you then, Bye!" "Bye!" Suddenly I felt a lot more rested and was excited to meet the girls again.

When I arrived at he café, Ino, Hinata and TenTen were waiting for me already. I greeted them and had to tell them everything of my very boring job in Suna. Being a Sensei isn't that much fun I thought. But Ino told m TenTen would date Neji now. I shrugged. We were by the theme ´boys already. They asked me about the boys in Suna, but there weren't my type. "Hinata-Chan, where's Naruto?" I asked. "He's on a mission with Neji and Kakashi. But Sasuke isn't allowed on any missions outside Konoha for a year." Ino answered for her. I sighed. TenTen didn't miss that. "What's up, Sakura-Chan? Still not over you crush?" She teased. I glared at her. "No, that's not the problem, but what happened with him? Did Tsunade this brainwashing-justu on him?" They looked confused. "I met him earlier and he apologized. That's nothing the old Sasuke would do…" I asked, still puzzled about his behavior. Again Ino answered, "You know, Shika was the one who found Sasuke and he told me that Sasuke was very rude to them and didn't want to return before he hadn't killed his brother. But then he passed out and they brought him in the hospital. One day after you left I visited him and he was deep in thoughts and didn't talk much, but he didn't seem rude or something he seemed a little confused and disturbed. One week later was his trial and he came free with some conditions. Ever sine then he had changed. I wonder why…" I smiled. "But it isn't bad, is it? I mean he's nice now." I said and they looked at me. "S-sometimes." Hinata stuttered. "Sometimes?" "Yeah. Most of the time he's grumpy and in thoughts." TenTen answered "Nobody dares to speak to him when he's like that, since Lee tried once and got beaten up." We laughed. Then I bit my lower lip. Again, TenTen noticed. "Do you know what happened?" she asked. I took a deep breath and told them of my ´talk with Sasuke in the hospital. "Th-That may explain something…" Hinata said after some silence. I noticed she didn't stutter this much. I didn't felt like talking with them anymore so I excused myself and made my way home. It was getting dark already so I hurried back to get some sleep. But now I couldn't find sleep. Did he REALLY apologize? I mean… its not like it was his fault slapping me, but...the others said…I'm surprised too. I have no idea what came to his mind. And he didn't seem grumpy or in thoughts at all. More like…happy? He seemed happier than he used to be, but not complete happy at all…Yeah, you're right. Good night Outer… I need some rest. Good night.

I hope you liked this chapter too. Im doing my best to keep updating soon!

And again:

I don't own Naruto.

Next time: "And we found out that they have plans around Konoha at the day of my ceremony. We have to think of the worst case: assassination, attempt and conquest."