Author's Note: Chapter 2! I tried to make it a little longer but I don't think it's longer by that much. I just feel like these are good spot to cut the chapter. I feel like if I cut it too late then it'll be too long and there'll be too much going on in one chapter. I kind of also feel like this story is dragging along and nothing really interesting is happening, but that'll change soon! Just bear with me a little longer. I want to try to make the story sound as natural as possible, and I don't think that could work with a rushed story line. Anyways, hope you enjoy!

Naruto came to pick her up the next morning. The two walked in silence towards the hospital, still shocked by the previous day's events. When the duo arrived at Sasuke's door, Sakura stopped.

"Naruto…we should be happy, shouldn't we?" The pink-haired kunoichi looked down at the ground. Naruto's gaze followed hers.

"Yeah."

"I don't feel happy about this. I don't know how I feel about this. It's just so complicated." Naruto didn't know what to say. He wasn't usually the comforting type, and when he was, he never conveyed many words. So Naruto did what he thought would be best; he pulled his best friend into a hug.

"It's okay. We've been through worse."

Sakura nodded in Naruto's chest, and broke away. She let out a breath before opening the door. The two were greeted with Sasuke sitting at the edge of his bed and his black backpack next to him. He was out of hospital and into what Sakura assumed were his everyday clothes. Black pants, a sleeveless black shirt with a deep v-line, and a navy blue sash tied around his waist. He stood up and started putting on his sand colored cloak with one hand as he saw his former teammates enter the room. Sakura couldn't help but notice how much taller Sasuke got; just a little bit taller than Naruto, definitely a head taller than her.

"Morning, bastard." Naruto forced out a grin. Sakura never realized how thankful she was for Naruto until now. He was trying to make things normal, just as they were before. He had enough strength for the both of them. Sakura tried to follow Naruto's example.

"Are you ready to go, Sasuke?" Sakura forced herself to sound like her usual self. Sasuke cocked an eyebrow at her. So it took her seven years to drop the "-kun" suffix.

The Medic Ninja took some papers off the clipboard that was on the nightstand next to Sasuke's bed and then moved towards his backpack. Sasuke snatched it out of her reach before she could get to it.

"I may be injured, but I can still take care of myself." Sasuke glared at her.

"What the hell, Sasuke. She was just trying to help." Naruto started towards the pair when Sakura raised up a hand to stop him.

"It's fine, Naruto. Not a big deal." Sakura moved past Naruto and stood in the doorway, "Let's go, Sasuke. Naruto, I'll see you later." Naruto nodded as he watched the two leave.

Sasuke and Sakura were walking side by side with each other, but left half an arm's length of distance between them. She didn't want to invade Sasuke's space, and likewise, she didn't want Sasuke invading her space either.

"For the time being, you'll stay in my apartment with me. It's mostly to keep an eye on your injuries and…well, there's room for the both of us. I cleaned out the guest room yesterday." Sakura actually wasn't looking forward to living with the Uchiha. Seven years ago, her twelve-year-old self probably would have been jumping with joy, but things had changed.

Sasuke let out a "hn," letting his companion know that he understood. He wasn't looking forward to living with his former teammate as well, but he knew it was mostly so Sakura could keep an eye on him. Konoha couldn't trust him to live by himself.

Sakura walked into her apartment first and spun around towards Sasuke, "Well, it's not much, but it's home." Sakura allowed the raven-haired ninja to take a quick look at his surroundings, then gestured for Sasuke to follow, "Here's your bedroom."" The guest bedroom was right across the hallway from what Sasuke assumed was Sakura's room.

"Bathroom's down the hall. There are fresh towels in there already if you feel like showering," Sakura paused, "I guess you can start unpacking. I'm not sure how long you'll be staying here, but it'll definitely be longer than a couple of days," she looked away from Sasuke as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Sasuke stood in the doorway of his bedroom looking at Sakura. When did she get so lean and muscular? When did she stop looking like a twelve-year-old girl and like a woman? Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he focused on a particular spot on Sakura's neck. Where did that scar come from?

Sasuke's gaze lingered until green orbs met his onyx ones. Sakura couldn't help but feel the heat rush to her cheeks, and Sasuke took that as an opportunity to sneak into his bedroom. Sakura let out a sigh of relief as the door shut behind Sasuke, and she made her way to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

I wonder what kind of food Sasuke likes? He probably doesn't even enjoy food. He's probably one of those people who just eat just to survive. Sakura snorted to herself. He probably just eats rice every day and can't cook at all.

Sakura found Sasuke standing next to the dining table, hair dripping wet with a towel around his shoulders, as Sakura set down their lunch. Pork katsudon for the both of them. She sat down and motioned for him to sit. Sasuke stared at her. Sakura stared back, trying to figure out what was running through Sasuke's mind. She shot him a puzzled look and began eating her lunch slowly. Sasuke followed her actions. Sakura hated this silence, but a part of her was scared to break it. A part of her was scared to find out if Sasuke would never accept Naruto and Sakura as his teammates again. A part of her was scared to find out if Sasuke was going to leave Konoha again. A part of her wanted to embrace Sasuke and never let him go. But another part of her just didn't care.

Sakura became irritated with all these emotions running through her mind and decided that attempting some type of conversation would be better than leaving her with her thoughts.

"So...What happened?" Sasuke looked up from his food at the sudden question. The two stared at each other and Sakura knew she wasn't going to get an answer from him anytime soon. She almost laughed at the thought that Sasuke didn't trust her. Look at us, she thought, Two former teammates who can't trust each other enough to be out of each other's line of vision.

The two finished their meals in silence and Sakura grabbed their plates. Sasuke silently followed her into the kitchen, and gently took the plates out of Sakura's hands.

"I'm not a helpless freeloader," Sasuke said in between scrubbing the plates. Sakura want to laugh at the sight of Sasuke washing dishes. Not only was he doing housework (which she could never picture him doing), but he was doing it with a broken arm. Sakura smiled to herself. Sasuke had always been proud, even with the smallest things. That would never change.

As Sasuke was finishing the dishes, Sakura started walking towards the front door, "Sasuke, we need to go to the market." Sasuke sighed and reluctantly walked towards the door. So he really was going to be under surveillance as much as possible.

The two of them arrived at the market and as Sakura picked up a basket, Sasuke took it out of her hands. Sakura smiled. Sasuke was pretty gentlemanly for a criminal. As expected of someone who was born into a prominent clan.

"Whatever you want, just get it. I don't know what foods you like so…" Sakura began filling the basket. Sasuke almost wanted to laugh. Didn't Sakura always boast about how she knew all of Sasuke's favorite foods when they were younger? Her and that other blonde girl were always fighting over him…

Sasuke dropped a bag of tomatoes in the basket.

"Ah, I totally forgot. You like tomatoes, huh." Sasuke shrugged. How could she forget that? He remembered that she always tried to give him bento boxes revolving around tomatoes…

But that was seven years ago. Sasuke looked at Sakura, who was quietly humming as she was placing more items in the basket. Who was this woman that he was looking at?

Sakura tried to ignore the fact that she knew Sasuke was staring at her.

He's probably just thinking of ways to get rid of me and escape during the night.

After purchasing their groceries, the two of them went back home, as the sun was starting to set. Sakura started to prepare dinner while Sasuke watched from the dining table.

Sakura felt awkward as she set the plates down in front of Sasuke. She knew Sasuke was watching the whole time, and Sasuke didn't even seem to hide it. Sakura let her thoughts swirl around her head as the two of them began eating in silence.

She hated Sasuke. She absolutely hated Sasuke for leaving and breaking up their team. She hated him for breaking her heart the way he did that night. She hated him for what Naruto and her had to deal with after.

But every time she stole a glance at Sasuke, she felt her heart skip a beat. She couldn't shake off those feelings she once felt so strongly seven years ago. And as much as she wanted to hate Sasuke with all her heart, she couldn't. She didn't want to admit it, but there was obviously still a part of her that would always love him.

"Sasuke, I'm sorry."

Sasuke cocked an eyebrow and looked up from his plate.

"I'm sorry for slapping you the other day. I wasn't thinking." Actually, Sakura wasn't sorry for slapping him, and thought he deserved a thousand more slaps across the face for what he had done. But now that Sasuke was here, she wanted the opportunity to repair the Team back together. Maybe she could change him and get him to stay here as a Konoha ninja. After all, It had always been Naruto's and her dream.

"Hn."

Sakura felt like punching him for his lack of a response. But then again, Sasuke was still Sasuke.

Silence again. What should she say? Sakura knew it was still too soon to be asking about what happened between Sasuke and his brother, and it might even be too soon to ask what happened during his time with Orochimaru. Konoha needed this information eventually, but for now, there was no rush.

"Can you cook?"

Sasuke briefly stopped his chopsticks that were halfway to his mouth. Of all the things to say, Sakura was asking him if he knew how to cook? Sasuke resumed eating.

"I mean, I just imagined you spending all those years living by yourself and you probably had to cook on your own…I doubt you'd be like Naruto and eat ramen every meal."

Sasuke scoffed. "Of course I know how to cook. I'm not as stupid as that idiot."

Sakura grinned. At least he didn't ignore her.

"Then you have to cook for me one day," Sakura softly said. The rest of dinner didn't feel as dreadful as it had before.

"Sasuke, I'm going to have to take a look at your wounds," Sakura sat next to Sasuke on his bed. Sasuke gave a small nod and took off his shirt. Sakura couldn't help but blush a little. She was still a nineteen-year-old girl, and it would be insane if she wasn't attracted to what was sitting in front of her. She noticed Sasuke's body was muscular and cut, but still lean. He always wore a sleeveless shirt, but Sakura never noticed how nice Sasuke's arms were. Whatever that boy was doing during his training sessions, he was definitely doing it right.

"May I?" Sakura reached out to Sasuke's bandages and began undoing them. Sasuke wasn't used to this feeling – all the medical attention he had gotten previously was cold and quick to finish. Sakura's touch was slow, gentle, and warm. Sasuke felt a tingle in his stomach.

Sakura lightly ran her hands around Sasuke's wounds before her hands started glowing green with chakra. She guided her hands to Sasuke's broken arm and slowly started repairing it. Sasuke could feel her warm chakra seep into his body.

But as soon as Sasuke closed his eyes and really started to enjoy the feeling, the soothing sensation stopped. His eyes shot open to see that Sakura had retracted her hands from his arm and picked up a fresh roll of bandages. Even without the chakra, Sasuke thought Sakura's touch was still light and soothing when she re-bandaged him. When she was finished, Sakura stood up.

"I can't heal your arm completely in one go; your body just won't be able to handle it. Every day I'll heal it little by little while keeping an eye on your wounds so they don't become infected." Sasuke pulled his shirt over his head.

"Well, that's it for today. I guess I'll go to sleep now. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask or get it yourself." Sasuke nodded in acknowledgement.

After her shower, Sakura sleepily made her way to her bedroom and changed into her pajamas: a white spaghetti strap with red shorts. She crawled into bed and thought about the day's events. She didn't feel as hateful towards Sasuke as she did before, and at least Sasuke wasn't completely ignoring her, or treating her like trash. The two of them just needed time. Maybe Team Seven can really get back together and return to normal like she and Naruto had always dreamed of.

Sakura fell into a peaceful, dreamless slumber that night.

"Sakura-chan!"

Sasuke groaned.

"Sakura-chan!"

He could've sworn he heard that idiot's voice.

"Sakura-chan!"

Sasuke heard a door slam and immediately forced his eyes open. What the fuck was making that noise this early in the morning?

Sasuke opened his bedroom door just in time to see Naruto let himself in Sakura's bedroom and jump on her bed.

"Sakura-chan! Good morning!" Naruto grinned as he lied down next to Sakura. He pulled her into an embrace as the pink-haired kunoichi let out a sleepy moan. Naruto nuzzled the top of Sakura's head, "You're so cute in the morning!"

Sasuke noticed that Sakura woke up, yet she didn't fight Naruto's embrace. He remembered them holding hands at the hospital. What was up with them?

Sakura sat up and let out a huge yawn while stretching. Naruto couldn't help but grin at the sight and tackle her back down to the bed, nuzzling her neck.

"Naruto…stop," Sakura said sleepily, though with not much force or anger.

"I can't help it, you're so cute!"

Sasuke coughed loudly. Sakura pushed Naruto off her as she remembered that they weren't the only two in the apartment. Sasuke was standing in the doorway, one hand on his hip.

"What the hell are you doing here, bastard?" Naruto squinted his eyes at the dark-haired man.

Sasuke snorted, "I could ask you the same. This isn't your apartment. How the hell did you get in?"

"What the hell, this isn't your apartment either!" Naruto pulled a slightly dazed Sakura to his chest, "And Sakura-chan gave me the key to her apartment so that's how I got in! I have a key, so it's kinda like we share the place!" Naruto pulled out Sakura's apartment key and stuck out his tongue at Sasuke.

"Guys, stop. It's way too early for something like this." Sakura broke from Naruto's grasp and gave him a light hit on the shoulder. Sasuke rolled his eyes and muttered a "whatever" before going back to his room.

"Sakura-chan, you never told me that bastard was living with you!" Naruto pouted as Sakura began to get her clothes ready for the day.

"Well, it was the only solution we could think of at the time," Sakura lowered her voice, "No one trusts him enough to keep him on his own."

"Eh…I guess that's true..."

Sasuke pretended he didn't hear, but his ears were a lot better than Sakura gave him credit for. Sasuke was almost, just almost, a little hurt. Of course none of the other villagers trusted him. That much was obvious. He wasn't even sure of how much he trusted himself to be back in Konoha. But what almost hurt him was that Naruto and Sakura, the two people in the world who were always there for him no matter how bad of a friend he was in the past, agreed with the others. They didn't trust him.

Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted when a certain fox-like blond stuck his head through the doorway to Sasuke's bedroom, "Sakura-chan, when is this bastard going to be all healed up? I can't wait to show off my skills and pummel him to the ground." Naruto gave Sasuke his signature grin.

"I don't need to wait until I'm fully healed. I can still beat you with a broken arm, idiot," Sasuke shot back.

Sakura sighed and stood next to Naruto in the doorway, "Give him a little time, Naruto. I'm healing his arm as fast as I can without putting his system into shock." Naruto scratched his head and Sasuke scoffed at how that idiot was still an idiot.

"But don't worry, Sasuke'll be fully healed soon, then you guys can beat the crap out of each other," Sakura beamed cheerfully. She would actually be looking forward to seeing those two spar after all these years.

"Heh heh, alright! Just let me know when Sasuke's well enough for a good beating!" Naruto hugged Sakura from behind, "Well, I've got a training session with Captain Yamato, so I'll see you two around!" And with that, Sasuke and Sakura were left alone again.

Sakura laughed to herself and shook her head. Leave it to Naruto to always make wherever he went livelier. Just as Sakura was going to go back to her room, Sasuke spoke up.

"Why the hell did you give that idiot a key to your apartment?"

Sakura turned around and smiled at Sasuke. She shrugged.

"I don't know. Naruto's my best friend, and I guess that's just what best friends do. It's kind of like letting him know that if he ever needs anything or just wants to come over and hang out, he's always welcome."

"But what if he loses it? Knowing Naruto, it's bound to happen some day and end up in the wrong hands."

Sakura looked at Sasuke straight in the eye, "I know he won't. I trust him."

As soon as Sakura left the room, Sasuke narrowed his eyes in confusion. When did his ex-teammates become so close? What happened to the Sakura that would hit Naruto every time he touched her, or reprimand him whenever he insulted Sasuke?

Sasuke knew it's been seven years since they were a team, and he knew that people were going to change in those seven years, but he still found it hard to wrap his head around. He knew he left them and never established any contact within those seven long years, but he still couldn't help but feel a little…left out.

For the next week Sasuke and Sakura felt into a routine. They would get up then eat breakfast. Sasuke would watch Sakura run errands, or they would do as much training as they could with Sasuke's injuries. Next, lunch, then Sasuke would watch Sakura clean the house, or watch her study from one of her medical books. Sometimes he would take care of Sakura's weapons (since his were still confiscated) while he would watch her cook dinner. Sasuke did a lot of watching. And he noticed all the little things Sakura did. He noticed how she would hum whenever she did chores, or the way her brows would furrow as she was studying, or the way her face lit up with joy whenever she quizzed herself and she was correct, or the way she would cheerfully greet all her their neighbors whenever they went out, or the way her muscles moved as she was training, or the way she would look away and tuck her hair behind her ear whenever she caught Sasuke looking at her. At first he thought living with Sakura would be an absolute pain – constantly harboring him with personal questions or clinging to him – but Sasuke once again realized that this wasn't the old twelve-year-old Sakura he used to know. He was living with a mature woman now.

Their healing sessions would go on as they did the first day. Sasuke would find comfort in Sakura's touch and relax when he felt her chakra enter his body. But as quickly as Sasuke relaxed under Sakura's touch, it would end. Sakura would say little then leave him with his privacy for the rest of the night.

Sakura tried to make nothing but small talk during that week. She knew Tsunade would want information sooner or later, and Sakura had some questions that needed to be answered as well, but she began to enjoy the light time she spent with Sasuke. She told herself there would be time in the future, but deep down, Sakura was scared to hear what really happened during those seven years. Sakura was scared to hear if Sasuke was really happy away from Konoha and had a life of his own, that he never missed Team Seven one bit. Sakura was scared that if she brought up the subject of his past, Sasuke would get irritated and try to leave.

That night after dinner, Sakura began her routine checkup on Sasuke. Sasuke relaxed as the medic's chakra soothed his arm, but Sakura stopped almost as soon as she started.

"You're all good now. Your arm's healed," Sakura began taking Sasuke's arm out of the sling.

"Like I said, I sped up the healing process. Normally it'd take a couple more weeks, but I pushed it a little this time." Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Well, you are an Uchiha and your body is extremely capable of yourself, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem," Sakura lightly laughed, "Good thing I was right. You're as good as new, and in just half the time."

Sasuke stretched his arm around to test it out. Just like Sakura said – good as new.

Sasuke looked down and turned his head towards Sakura. They were sitting just inches from each other.

"Thank you."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. The last time Sasuke thanked her was on that dark, cold night. But this time was different. It was sincere and warm. Sakura smiled softly and let herself move closer to Sasuke so that their arms were touching. Sasuke didn't flinch away and Sakura felt relieved for that.

"You're welcome."