A/N: Thank you for the amazing reviews! Your words bring a smile to my face. :) And, thank you for showing support by adding my story to you lists of favourites and alerts! I love you all tremendously!

This is the unrevised version of the chapter, so forgive me if you stumble upon some mistakes.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

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Claimed Innocence

4th Chapter: His Anger, Her Tears

Sasuke was at the training grounds, wishing to forget about Sakura and her shameful display from earlier. Still, he felt exactly as if his own mind betrayed him in the worst possible way, because images of her dancing ― half-naked in that horrible place ― kept flashing in his head.

He was beyond angry. At first, he just wanted to go home, but his anger was pulling at his nerves so he decided to release some steam.

He could feel his blood boil as he clenched his fists and hit the post with too much force. The pain he felt on his knuckles was exhilarating in comparison to what he felt inside his chest. The whole idea of Sakura's innocence being claimed by someone else ripped his heart to pieces.

He thought that he had a special place in her heart; that he was the only one she considered as possible candidate for claiming her preciously saved innocence. The fact that it turned out to be exactly the opposite made him feel an excruciating ache. He was aware that he was acting like a selfish bastard. But, deep down he could not find a reason to not be selfish about her.

Now, things were different. He felt like she betrayed him. All those smiles she always had just for him seemed fake to him. Her act made him believe that he no longer knew who she was. With it she proved to him that she was no longer that innocent girl he thought he knew so well.

The memories that flashed in his mind were bitter. He desperately wanted them out of his head, but it was pointless to try and erase them.

::Flashback::

Sakura slumped on the ground, her breath leaving her in heavy puffs. "I'm done for today," she spoke in a tired voice, her chest heaving up and down from tiredness. "I'm beat."

Sasuke watched her for a short moment, but not wanting to be caught staring he pulled his eyes away from her.

"Hn," he grunted as a response, and followed her lead as he set on the grass, unusually close to her. That day he felt particularly pulled in by her presence. He felt utterly grateful for the spar they just had, because it made him forget about all those painful thoughts that tortured his mind.

"I told you that I will kick your ass," she broke the silence, her breathing evidently returning to normal.

"Tch… don't flatter yourself, Sakura," he arrogantly spoke, completely dismissing her bragging tone.

Sakura turned her head to stare at him. Her eyes were rounded in shock, but not a moment later she realized that she shouldn't be even surprised. His ego was so big that it was impossible for her to downgrade it with her words – or fists, just as she did minutes ago.

She couldn't help herself, so she shot back mockingly, "Don't be a sour loser, Sasuke."

"I'm not," he spoke simply, sounding so sure of his own words. "I just don't want you to fill your head with false assumptions."

She playfully poked at his ribs just to prove her point. His reaction was instantaneous as he winced in pain. "I rest my case," she spoke with finality to her voice.

"Hn," he grunted, while glaring at her for brutally poking him just to prove her point. She could be quite annoying sometimes.

She propped herself on her elbows and looked down at him.

"Want me to heal that?" she asked softly, something that expressed her worry without being her attention.

Her voice evoked a pleasant feeling in his chest. He couldn't help but smirk in response. He gave her his consent by nodding slightly, his eyes trained on her. As she worked on his ribs, he kept staring at her. She looked so focused on her work, a fact that made him realize that being a medic suited her tremendously. A tinge of pink dusted her cheeks, making him aware that she felt his eyes on her. However, he could not will himself to turn his gaze away. She looked so beautiful batted in the sunlight, with the sheen of sweat glistening on her skin.

::End of Flashback::

That was definitely a good memory for Sasuke, at least that's what he thought this morning. He did not feel that pleasant anymore, because it evoked a sour taste in his mouth.

In a desperate attempt to forget about Sakura, he gathered chakra to his palm and summoned the powerful Chidori.

As he literally pulverized the tree trunk, he felt like his attempts were entirely pointless. Nothing was helping. With no other idea on his mind, he jumped on a tree and headed himself in the direction of her apartment. He needed to speak with her. He was painfully aware that if he didn't do it soon he would lose his mind completely.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Sakura entered her apartment, the feeling of weariness taking over her. The only thing she wanted right now was to reach her bed and sleep until late in the morning. As she walked in the living room, she sensed the presence of someone else. She was on alert in an instant, ready to defend herself. The adrenaline erased all feeling of sleepiness she had.

She was surprised to see Sasuke standing there, bathed in darkness.

"What are you doing here, Sasuke-kun?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.

He was right in front of her in an instant, towering over her like a predator. "What the hell were you thinking, Sakura?" he seethed through his teeth, a heavy glare forming in his eyes.

"Wha-" she started, but caught herself upon seeing the bruises on his knuckles. In an instant, she forgot about him yelling at her. "Are you hurt?" she asked with a worried tone. She took his hand in her palm, in attempt to inspect his injury. She only had a chance to glimpse at the ripped skin and tiny splinters of wood imbedded in it, before he harshly took his hand away.

"It doesn't matter!" he hollered angrily. The look in his eyes was severe. "Answer my question! What the hell were you thinking?"

She could hardly believe that this was happening. She felt so small because of his relentless stare. It was almost as if he was accusing her of something, a fact that added to her confusion. She opened her mouth, unable to stop her curiosity, and asked in a soft tone, "Why are you yelling at me, Sasuke?"

His upper lip twitched for a short second, but then he screamed at her, "Did you really enjoy yourself?" He felt lost, as if he no longer had control over his own actions. Usually he was so composed and he desperately tried to calm down, but it was futile. He hated the feeling of wild anger that consumed him from within.

"I don't know what―" she started, but he cut her off.

He took her wrist in his hand and squeezed it painfully. "Don't play innocent in front of me, Sakura. You disgust me!" he shouted, anguish filling his tone.

Her eyes turned fearful, as she tried to take her hand away from his tight grasp. "That hurts, Sasuke!" she raised her voice, pleading him to stop. However, his fingers tightened and she tried to ease the situation by speaking with a softer tone, "Please, I really have no idea what you're saying." Tears gathered in her eyes.

He noticed nothing, for he was solely focused on his own feelings. He grabbed the bag that hang from her shoulder and angrily took out the contents. His lips twisted in anger, once his eyes soaked in the dreadful items he held in his hand. Images of her shameful exhibition flashed in his mind, which only served to make his blood boil. He shoved them in her face, while growling lowly, "Look at this, Sakura! I am talking about your shameless display from earlier!"

Realization downed on her in an instant. With her own worries about the show she completely forgot that he might be among the crowd of people that watched her dance.

Suddenly, she was overwhelmed by the feeling of shame.

"Sasuke-kun, it's... it's not what you think," she tried explaining, but he never let her finish.

"It's hard to imagine that scene as anything that can be justified as innocent. Were you really that satisfied with yourself when in front of those men―" he cut off his own words, feeling unable to finish his thought. He could not look at her any longer, so he averted his eyes and stared at the ground. He clenched his fists in utter attempt to suppress the fury he felt.

His behavior surprised her tremendously. She realized that this was the first time she witnessed him being so out of control. "Why are you acting like this? It's not like you care," she spoke in a weak voice.

"I thought you were different, but apparently I was wrong!" he yelled, the feeling of abandonment consuming him whole.

"What do you mean?" she asked, while staring at him with teary eyes. She did not know why she felt like crying, but looking at him treating her in such a way brought the feeling out on the surface.

"I mean that you clearly became a whore. How many men have you invited to your bed so far?" he asked, completely unaware of his own accusing words or how hurtful they sounded to her.

Her eyes glistened from the ache that clenched her heart. "Sasuke-kun, you honestly can't mean―" she barely found her voice to speak those words.

"Oh, but I do! I have never been more disgusted by anything in my entire life!" Once those words left his mouth, he instantly regretted them. As they flashed in his mind, he repeated to himself that it was not his intention to say such cruel things. He wanted to say something else, but he was left with nothing.

The tears that threatened to leave her eyes made them glisten painfully, but then anger overwhelmed the feeling of hurt. She couldn't contain herself, so she slapped him such force that it seemed like all the anger she felt was released in an instant.

"I hate you! I really hate you, Sasuke Uchiha! I don't want to ever see your face again!" she screamed, pure pain written on her face.

The slap must have brought some sense to the forefront of his mind, for he was no longer consumed by anger. Instead, all he felt was regret.

"Sakura..." he desperately uttered her name, the apology hanging on his tongue.

"Get out, just leave me alone." She stomped toward her room, but just before she threw the door closed she screamed hysterically, "GET OUT!"

Sasuke immediately followed after her and walked into her room with no intention of giving up on her until she accepted his apology. He really didn't care about manners at the time. Once he was inside he found her bedroom empty. The only light in the room came from under the bathroom door and he guessed that she must have locked herself there. He closed the distance and stood in front of the door, the light illuminating only his feet. He twisted the door handle, but the door didn't budge. A heavy breath left him, as he decided to try and talk to her.

"Sakura," he called after her, while at the same time his ears picked up her soft cries.

"Leave me alone!" she screamed through her tears.

"Sakura, I didn't mean it that way," he tried to speak softly, hoping that she will hear the regret in his voice.

"Yeah, well, I don't believe you," she replied after some time, her voice filled with sobs.

"Sakura, just stop crying and open this door or―" he threatened, but her livid voice cut him off.

"Or what? You'll do what?" she asked angrily.

"I'll break it down if necessary," he stated firmly.

"Would you please just leave me alone? I don't want to see you anymore," she spoke in a weak voice, heavy surrender latched to her words. The pain that surrounded her heart made her think of the only thing she never thought that she would say about Sasuke. '...or hear you talk to me ever again.'

Hearing her say that was enough to make him realize how big of a mistake he did by surrendering his will to nothing but anger.

"Okay, I'll leave, but I'll come back," he promised. The strange thing was that he didn't even try to cover the anguish in his voice.

"I don't want you to come back, ever again." As those words left her lips in a barely audible whisper, her heart broke in pieces.

He reluctantly left the apartment, but he decided to stay close. His watchful eyes stayed focused on the window of her room. He left his Sharingan on and followed her every step as she moved out of the bathroom. Even if he was unable to stay by her side, he felt better just by watching her from afar. When he was sure that she finally fell asleep, he jumped away from the tree he was perched on and climbed in through her bedroom window.

Once inside he stood silently in one place, just watching her sleep. He hovered over her, his eyes sad. He noticed the dried tears on her reddened cheeks and blamed himself for causing her pain. He knew that his harsh words were the reason why she cried herself to sleep. His heart ached for her, but he also felt like it was too late. There was no turning back from what he did.

He leaned in and reached out to gently caress her cheek. He let his finger ghost over her skin, as he tucked a strand of her pink hair away from her eyes. He stayed like that for a short moment, but then he just decided to let her sleep.

He left a small piece of paper with simple, but meaningful words written on its white surface and left silently.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: Thank you for reading, my lovely readers! I hope you liked the chapter, despite the fact that it was filled with angst. However, I like to think of it as the storm before the calm, if you get what I mean. :P Please, share your thoughts with me. Your reviews make me really happy and urge me to write faster.