Misconstrue

Chapter Two

-Return of the Avenger-

Nine months later…

Sakura let out a sigh as she stared out the window of her tiny office at the hospital. The day had been relatively slow, which she supposed was good considering her line of work, but she was so bored. So, she decided to do what she always did when she had a spare moment, and that was thinking about Gaara.

Ever since that night at base camp when they'd shared dinner, he was always on her mind, or not far from it. They'd found that they enjoyed one another's company, and had continued to eat their meals together when they had a chance. When the time came for everyone to pack up and go home, he'd traveled most of the way back with her, before he had to start heading towards Suna. After that it wasn't long until she saw him again, since she'd been sent to Suna to check their medical supplies and see what Konoha could spare for them, and vice versa. During that mission she had stayed with him in the Kazekage Mansion at his request. Surprisingly enough, it wasn't weird for either of them. It was impossible for them to not grow even closer, and by the time she left to return to Konoha, she had herself an official boyfriend in the stoic redhead.

It was odd, calling him her boyfriend. Whenever she talked to people, she never said that that was what Gaara was, just that they were dating, or they were together. He just didn't seem like the type of person one said was their boyfriend. Lover would be a more accurate term now, she thought, blushing slightly. Not too long into their relationship they'd gotten a little physical, and it was then they discovered that their attraction for one another knew no bounds. The next morning Sakura awoke in Gaara's bed, with him staring at her like he usually did, and all she did was smile at him. And when he returned it, ever so slightly, she knew that things between them were serious, and would never be the same.

Not that she minded. She loved spending time with him, and always looked forward to his visits, or when she could visit Suna. Of course, they were both incredibly busy with their work, so the times they could see one another were few and far between. But each time she saw him, it was if they'd never been apart. Sakura absolutely loved the feeling of anticipation that came with her longing, and enjoyed even more the moment she first got to lay eyes on him after being separated. The flutter in her stomach, and her heart, were something she'd become accustomed to, and she couldn't help but wonder if Gaara ever felt that when he saw her.

She sighed, a dreamy smile on her face. She would never say it aloud, but she was thankful for the war. Without it, she never would have thought of dating Gaara. In fact, the thought would have never entered her mind. In a way, it had brought them, and so many other couples, together.

Naruto had finally told Hinata that he returned her feelings, and the two were already engaged to be married. Ino and Kiba had begun a very…physical relationship during the war, since they didn't know how much longer they'd be alive, and it had grown into something more substantial. There was even talk of them moving in together sometime soon, though if it were true Ino would have told her. Even Neji had begun to date Tenten, though he tried to play the whole thing off as him waiting for the right time to ask her out. Sakura rolled her eyes at that. The only ones who hadn't hooked up were Shikamaru and Temari. She was pretty sure they'd slept together on numerous occasions, but they were both so stubborn they denied what everyone else obviously saw between them. Though the pink haired medic was sure with hers and Gaara's frequent visits to one another, the stubborn couple would finally cave and admit their true feelings.

Sakura was snapped out of her musings when she heard a commotion coming from outside. She straightened and tried to get a look at what it could be, but saw nothing other than a bunch of villagers heading towards the main gate. Growing worried that it might be someone in need of healing, she stood from her chair and bolted out the door, telling one of the nurse practitioners that she would be back as soon as possible.

She leapt onto the roof of a nearby building and bounded off, not wanting to have to fight her way through the crowd. Nearing the gates, she frowned when she spotted the group of Anbu that had gathered, keeping the villagers at bay. That was when she heard Naruto's loud, obnoxious voice, and from what she could tell, he was spewing on about how everything was right in the world once again. She smirked. Maybe he'd finally realized he was a lunatic, she thought, landing just outside the circle of Black Ops. Her brow furrowed when they parted for her without a word, before a shocked look came to her face.

Standing there next to Naruto, looking just as stoic and uncaring as he always did, was Sasuke. It was obvious that he was humoring Naruto by not saying a derogatory remark like he usually did, but what Sakura couldn't figure out was why he was here. She slowly took a step forward, freezing when the Uchiha's ebony gaze was on her. Sensing the change in the atmosphere, Naruto halted in his ramblings, turning to see what had taken his friend's attention away from him. He smiled brightly. "Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed. "Look! Sasuke's back! He came back to us! Isn't that great?!"

Her expression grew slightly skeptical. Honestly, after everything the raven haired man had put her through, she didn't really think it was such a great idea. He just wasn't good for anyone in any way, and had proved that time and again. "Um…Naruto, we need to take him to see Tsunade-sama." She said, her emerald gaze shifting to the blonde. "He's making everyone uncomfortable." She pointed out.

Naruto looked around, finally seeming to notice the apprehensive looks the villagers, and even a few other ninja, were giving him. He nodded. "Alright, come on teme! Tsunade-baa-san will know just what to do with you." he smiled reassuringly.

Sasuke didn't say anything, merely following after his ex-teammates as they made their way towards the Hokage Tower, the group of Anbu still surrounding them. Sakura could feel his gaze boring into the back of her head, but she refused to turn around and acknowledge him. When they made it to Tsunade's office, she was already waiting for them. "Uchiha Sasuke." The blonde woman said seriously. "You and I have many things to discuss."

"Yes, we do." Sasuke said, speaking up for the first time. Sakura noted that his voice didn't have that psychotic note to it anymore, but she didn't let that get her hopes up. Sasuke was an excellent liar, after all.

"Baa-san, please don't be too hard on the teme! I know he really meant it when he said-" Naruto began, only to be cut off.

"Naruto, Sakura, leave us." She ordered.

Sakura nodded, grabbing Naruto by the collar and dragging him out without a second look back. "Sakura-chan, wait! I have more things to say!" he protested, though he was no match for her strength. The doors to Tsunade's office closed behind them, and she sighed.

"Naruto, let Shishou talk to him. I'm sure whatever sentence she comes up with will be fair, okay?" the pink haired kunoichi said.

The jinchuuriki crossed his arms in a pout. "I didn't even get to punch him in the face for being such an asshole." He grumbled.

She rolled her eyes, a small smile coming to her face. "I'm sure you'll get to eventually Naruto, just be patient." She began to walk off then. "I'm going back to the hospital. I have work to do."

Naruto blinked. "You mean you're not going to stay to see what's going to happen to Sasuke?"

"Honestly," she sighed, looking back at him. "I don't care. Whatever happens to him he deserves. And besides, I have more important things to take do than worry about someone who tossed us aside for power."

He frowned. "But Sakura-chan…he's our teammate…our brother."

She shook her head. "He may be all those things to you…but to me, he will be nothing more than a memory I would rather forget." she replied, leaving down the stairs before he could say anything more to make the slight guilt inside of her grow.

She wanted nothing to do with Uchiha Sasuke anymore. Every time she gave him a chance and reached out to him he shoved it back in her face. And after everything he did to her friends, to Naruto, and to the village, he deserved nothing more than her contempt.

She returned to work, finishing out her day as best she could. Just as her shift was ending, she was called to Tsunade's office, and as she made her way back to the Tower, she hoped that Sasuke wasn't there any longer. A sigh of relief left her when she opened the doors and found only her blonde mentor present in the room. "You wanted to see me Shishou?" she asked, closing the door behind her before walking over to the blonde's desk.

Tsunade sighed. "I felt you would like to know what we have decided to do with Sasuke." When she didn't get a response, or even a reaction, the Hokage continued. "His chakra will be sealed for an indefinite amount of time, until I and the Elders decide he is trustworthy enough to have it removed. Nor will he be allowed to go on any missions. He is still a genin by all rights, and until we believe he really wants to dedicate himself to the village once again, he will not be allowed to take the Chuunin Exams. And for the time being, Kakashi will be acting as his guardian and letting him stay at his apartment until we can have his old place in the Uchiha District refurbished."

Sakura nodded. "Okay…what does that have to do with me Shishou?"

"Sakura…I know you've been through a lot concerning the Uchiha…but I want you to think about giving him another chance. He's in a very delicate place right now, and I think if you and Naruto are there for him it will make the transition easier." She explained.

The pink haired woman frowned. "But Shishou, I don't-"

"We want this to work out Sakura." Tsunade interrupted. "The Uchiha Clan has been a major part of Konoha since it was founded, and we want it to stay that way. It's going to take some time, but I think with your help he will be okay."

She let out a sigh. "I understand Shishou, but that doesn't mean I have to shove it all aside and pretend nothing ever happened. You can't just make someone forget having their heart ripped out and stomped on while a knife was shoved in their back." She said harshly, turning on her heel and walking towards the door.

"Sakura-" Tsunade began, but the younger kunoichi had already stomped out of her office, slamming the door behind her.

Sakura continued to storm out of the Hokage Tower, nearly colliding with someone as she rounded a corner to go down the stairs. Stumbling back, she was caught by strong hands. Her eyes widened in alarm when she looked up and met Sasuke's gaze, before they narrowed and she broke from his hold. "Don't touch me." she said, glaring up at him. It was then she saw Kakashi not but a few steps away, leaning against the wall and reading his usual orange book. By the looks of it, they had been waiting for her.

The Uchiha frowned slightly. "Sakura, I was hoping we could talk."

"Well I don't want to talk to you, so if you would please move," she said, trying to step to the side to go around him, only to have him block her.

"Please…I've thought about what I wanted to say to you for a while now, and I'd really like to get it out if you don't mind."

"Hear him out Sakura." Kakashi instructed, not even sparing her a glance as he turned the page.

She crossed her arms, giving her old teacher a glare before returning her emerald gaze to the ebony haired man in front of her. "Fine. If you think it will clear your conscience, go right ahead." She gestured for him to speak.

Sasuke nodded. "I'm sorry." He said. "There's nothing I can really say to excuse what I did and said to you…I was in a very dark place, for a long time, and I lost sight of who I really was. But…when I came to the battleground and found Itachi, fought with him instead of against him…I found part of myself again. And I realized that if I sucked up my pride and came back, came home, I could find the rest…hopefully with some help from Team Seven." He tried to smile.

"Well Team Seven doesn't exist anymore, you made sure of that." the pink haired medic snapped, using her repressed anger at him to keep herself from caving to his attempt at getting her to forgive him. Because he was doing a pretty good job.

Kakashi glanced over. "Sakura." He reprimanded slightly, only getting a scoff from the younger woman.

"You have every right to be mad at me Sakura, I understand that what I did was unforgivable." Sasuke told her. "And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, or even your help in getting better," he sighed. "But everyone deserves a second chance, right? That's all I'm asking for. A second chance to be the man my brother wished for me to be, and to get to know all of my old friends that I left behind."

Sakura frowned and looked off. Stupid Sasuke and his words that kinda made sense and tugged at her heartstrings. How was she supposed to say no to him now that he'd taken such a big leap? Especially because that was the most she'd ever heard him say without mentioning revenge, or killing Naruto, or destroying the Leaf Village. Not to mention he looked so vulnerable right now, and she had a weakness for strong, silent men who suddenly showed a bit of vulnerability. Curse you Gaara.

She looked back at him, searching his gaze before sighing, her arms dropping back to her sides. "Fine." She said. "I'll give you a second chance. But that doesn't mean I have to like you right away, nor do I want to hang out with you all the time like we're best buds." She clarified, raising a finger. "A situation like this requires baby steps."

"He'll take the deal." Kakashi said, snapping his book shut and straightening, before walking over to them.

Sasuke nodded, smiling slightly. "Right, I understand, of course." He said. "Thanks Sakura, for giving me another chance. I promise I'll try not to screw things up this time."

"Yeah, yeah." She waved it off, trying to act like this wasn't a big deal for her too.

Kakashi placed his hand on the ex-avenger's shoulder. "Come Sasuke. We need to get you sealed, and Sakura probably has work to do." He winked at her, knowing that she would want some time alone after this.

Sakura smiled slightly, grateful to the grey haired man's intuition. "I do, actually."

"Okay." Sasuke nodded. "I guess I'll see you around."

"Yeah, see you around." She said softly, before the pair disappeared in a puff of smoke. Letting out a tired sigh, Sakura made her way down the stairs, intent on going home.

She hoped this didn't blow up in her face. Maybe Sasuke really meant what he said, about wanting to be different. For Naruto's sake, she hoped that he did. The blonde fox tried to act tough all the time, but she didn't think he would be able to make it through another betrayal from someone he considered to be his brother. But, there was no telling how things would end up. All Sakura knew for certain was that things in Konoha would never be the same ever again, no matter which way things wound up.