Author's note: Koneko-chan means kitten. Sasuke calling his fangirls/girlfriends Koneko-chan comes from the road to ninja drama cd, in case anyone is wondering. Please review and tell me what you think of this story so far! (:

Disclaimer: i still do not own Naruto.

The next morning I got up and got dressed, grateful that I was working at the hospital today so the chances of me having to deal with my stressful, exhausting, teammates were low.

I opened my front door only to find a single red rose lying on my doormat. I sighed heavily as I stared down at it, debating if I should ignore it, step on it, or add it to my vase… I knew it was from Sasuke. It had to be from him… but why'd he leave it on my doormat? Is this his way of giving me space while still trying to annoy me or… for what purpose? A reminder that he's supposedly in love with me?

I sighed again wishing I could just crawl back into bed and sleep until he changes his mind about me. I just didn't think I had the energy to put up with it, to fight it today… I felt so exhausted and drained of energy, physically and mentally… it'd been challenging to cope with my empty house the last few days. Seeing those replicas of my parents, spending time with them like that… some part of me truly hadn't wanted to leave… I was still trying to come to terms with this loneliness once more and struggling; and this whole mess with Sasuke wasn't helping anything… I hated that I had let both of these things get to me so much. I should be used to this constant familiar pain, it's been years… I understand loneliness and pain far better than anyone I know, but it never seems to get any easier… some days it's merely a dull ache while others it's a crippling piercing bleeding wound… I should be used to this by now, I shouldn't let such things affect me like this… it only serves as a reminder of my weakness, and I hate being weak.

I sighed heavily one more time before bending down and picking up the discarded flower. I returned to my kitchen and placed it in my vase then continued on to work. Although I probably wouldn't want to look at it later, I couldn't bring myself to cruelly toss it aside or destroy it. The whole situation was giving me a headache and exhausting me and the day had only just begun…

My morning had gone from bad to worse. I'd been in and out of the operating room all day, one of my regulars a very sweet old woman that had been battling cancer died on me, I had phlegm drying in my hair thanks to some bratty kid with the flu, and a senile old man had an accident all over my shoes when I was trying to help him out of bed. I was on my way towards the bathroom to clean myself up when I saw Menma dragging Sasuke down the hall towards me.

"Hey Sakura, Sasuke's sick." Menma complained, heading towards me. "Do something about it."

Great just what I needed… these two idiots to make my day worse…

"I'm not sick, let go of me already." Sasuke protested trying to pull his arm back.

"Sakura… ew. What's that horrid smell?" Menma asked, scrunching up his face in disgust when he got closer to me.

Sasuke also made a disgusted face and they both pinched their noses looking around for the source of the offending odor.

"What do you want?" I asked in annoyance, putting a hand on my hip impatiently.

"Sakura! Can you give me a hand, please?" Emiko, a petite civilian worker called out to me.

I looked over and saw her struggling to get Mr. Ishida back into his room. He was combative, overweight, and had been admitted by his overbearing wife for alcohol poisoning and liver failure.

"Get off of me you stupid girl!" he growled trying to shove her away.

"Mr. Ishida I can't have you wandering the halls. I need you to go back to your room." I groaned, moving over to him.

"I keep telling you I'm going home!" he snapped viciously at me.

"And I told you five times already that I can't release you. Your liver is shutting down." I hissed, grabbing him and quickly restraining him so I could drag him back to bed.

"You're a bitch." He grumbled, tilting his head towards me.

"And you're a pain in the ass." I scowled at him.

I'd been dealing with him consistently for over a week now, he was on the transplant list and he kept insisting that he didn't need to be here and that he'd be fine if he just got out and got a drink. He's tried multiple times to escape, all unsuccessful. Honestly I was sick of dealing with him; I'd gladly turn him loose if his wife didn't have power of attorney over him. As long as she wanted him here, I couldn't release him so my only other option was to get him healthy.

"Need help Sakura?" Sasuke asked, coming towards us with Menma following behind.

"No I got-"

I was cut off by Mr. Ishida projectile vomiting all over my neck, my hair, and my clothes.

"Ew." Menma and Sasuke said in unison, looking disgusted and appalled.

Gross! Could this day get any worse? Oh yeah, Sasuke's standing right behind me, watching me get covered in vomit… and I smell like urine… no, I really don't think it can… I should have just stayed in bed…

"Never mind…" Sasuke muttered, taking back his previous statement to lend me a hand.

"Do you see the blood? Liver failure." I groaned, looking at Mr. Ishida in exasperation.

"…Fine. I'll go back to bed." he mumbled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

If I didn't know any better I'd say that was intentional. He somehow managed to not get a single drop on himself but I was covered. Jerk…

"Takumi, do you mind?" I asked looking over at one of the other nurses.

Takumi, a male med-nin in training shook his head no and rushed over. He took the man from me, guiding him back to his room with Emiko trailing behind them.

"Not. One. Word." I hissed glaring at the two boys standing a few feet away from me with their disgusted looking faces.

"Uh… actually, I think Sasuke can wait… it's not that important." Menma said staring at me and taking three steps back.

"No it can't. If you're here pestering me you might as well explain yourselves." I growled, turning and walking off knowing they'd follow after me.

"Well Sasuke is sick and I have reason to believe there's something severely wrong with him." Menma said calmly, maintaining a constant four paces behind me.

"I'm not sick!" Sasuke snapped in protest.

"And I'm telling you that you are. Why else would you be acting so strange today?" Menma argued.

I clenched my jaw and pinched the bridge of my nose. I was in no mood to deal with them, today had been horrible so far and it's not even close to being over.

"Can the two of you explain yourselves without giving me a headache?" I growled venomously, yanking open the closet door where the spare scrubs were kept.

I turned on my heel and stared at Menma. He stepped forward, grabbing a uniform for me so I wouldn't get vomit on it. I turned again and continued walking.

"So why do you think Sasuke is sick?" I asked, trying to keep the bite from my voice.

"Menma's just being an idiot, I'm perfectly healthy." Sasuke complained.

"Can you just perform some kind of exam on him to make sure he's not brain damaged? Or has a concussion or something?" Menma asked scowling at our raven-haired teammate.

I glanced at Sasuke over my shoulder and watched him flinch. I smirked and faced forward again, continuing on.

He was too easy to read. That flinch was because the last thing he wanted was me anywhere near him looking as I presently do. He'd probably have a heart attack if I tried to place my hand on his forehead to check right now; complaining I might dirty his precious hair or skin. Although I couldn't really blame him, I didn't even want to touch me. I was filthy and all I wanted right now was to go home and take a long hot shower… but the faculty cold showers will just have to do in the meantime…

The two continued to argue and bicker over whether or not Sasuke was actually sick the entire way to the faulty showers. Neither of them explaining why Menma thought he was sick.

Menma placed the spare uniform in the changing room for me then he and Sasuke exited while I headed into the showers to get cleaned up, promising to deal with Sasuke's supposed issue as soon as I was out.

Five minutes later I was cleaned and dressed and somewhat more relaxed.

"You're gonna catch a cold if you don't dry your hair properly." Menma scolded me when I walked out, my hair dripping wet.

"No towels." I shrugged, glancing at him.

"You still smell bad... did they not have soap either?" Menma frowned sniffing me.

"My shoes got peed on, okay? I can't do anything about that until I get home…" I mumbled bitterly, glaring at him.

"Gross." The two boys said in unison, once more scrunching up their faces.

"Thanks." I scowled angrily at both of them, heading back into the main area.

"Sakura, there you are!" Shizune called out. "Takumi told me what happened, go take your lunch break and try to relax for a bit. You've had a rough morning so feel free to take an extra hour or two."

I nodded and then looked at my headache inducing teammates.

"Okay, looks like you have my full undivided attention for the next two hours. What makes you think Sasuke is sick?"

"How many times do I have to say that I'm not sick?!" Sasuke complained.

"Talk over ramen?' Menma asked.

"Ugh, fine whatever." I groaned in annoyance, following them out.

Can this day please just be over already? I've had enough…

"…Can you change your shoes first?" Menma asked looking down at my shoes.

I glared angrily at Menma for a few seconds then stormed off, heading for home. I made both of them stand outside and wait. I took my regulation standard white nursing shoes and tossed them in the washer with detergent and bleach then I pulled on my clean spare and headed out the door. Sasuke was gone and Menma was leaning against the side of my house.

"So why do you think Sasuke has a concussion?" I scowled at him, closing my door and following him towards Ichiraku. "Where'd he go anyway?"

"I'll tell you once we're seated." Menma said with a heavy sigh.

Once we were seated and had ordered, Menma turned and looked at me.

"So, Sasuke and I agreed to go training this morning, like we do most mornings when we don't have a mission. He's normally late because he gets held up by his horde of girls so I decided to take my time getting there. As I'm walking to the training grounds, I'm passing by a lot and I mean a lot of broken hearted crying girls."

"So Sasuke probably made a bunch of girls cry, how is that any different from any other day?" i asked, rolling my eyes.

"Because none of his Koneko-chans had flowers today and they were all crying. It wasn't just three or four like it usually is." Menma stated, putting emphasis on Sasuke's pet name for girls.

Back when we had first been placed on the same genin team I asked him how he manages to remember all of his girlfriend's names when he dates so many at once. He told me he doesn't; instead he calls each of them, including his fan girls, Koneko-chan.

I bit my lip, mentally slapping myself for falling for such a flirtatious womanizing bastard.

"I still don't see the problem Menma." I said after a moment, getting increasingly annoyed with the subject and at myself for having a crush on the stupid flirty Uchiha.

"How is that not a problem? You've known Sasuke as long as I have, when has he ever allowed his precious Koneko-chans to cry and carry on like this? I can't think of a single time where he's ever failed to buy flowers either. He's even been buying weird flowers lately. Our best friend might have something seriously wrong with him and you're not concerned at all?" Menma's tone was calm yet affirmative as he argued his point, his face composed and collected.

Listening to Menma discuss his concern over someone was like listening to someone discuss simple facts. Menma was so much like his father, usually calm and composed regardless of situation. He's a pretty reserved person unless he's around Sasuke and I; we're the only people he really let's see his emotions or that he allows himself to lower his guard around. I might call him an idiot or tease him from time to time but truthfully Menma's the smart one on our team, he was always top of the class. I tend to forget that until I'm listening him to argue a point like he is currently or when he's attempting to formulate a plan.

"This is probably just some new game or something to entertain him, you're overreacting Menma."

"I had considered that too… until Ino approached me." Menma said as a look of contemplation clouded his expression.

"Ino?" I asked curiously, finally giving Menma my full attention.

"Yeah, Ino stopped me on my way to the training grounds and asked me about Sasuke. I had assumed she was trying to get close to him by going through me like a lot of girls have tried so I mostly tuned her out… until she mentioned that he only bought one rose today."

I looked at Menma surprised, my eyes widening.

"Now that's the reaction I'd been looking for." Menma smirked at me, knowing he'd finally caught my attention.

He only bought one today? The one he left on my doormat? Is this his way of trying to prove he's serious about me? Or… could it be something else?

"What did Sasuke say when you asked him about it?" I asked, wondering if he'd happened to tell Menma about his confession…

"I didn't ask. Sasuke was actually on time today and even started complaining that I was late and that he'd been waiting for almost an hour." Menma scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I decided he was acting too abnormal at that point and attempted to bring him to you for diagnosis."

"So where is he now?" I asked curiously.

"While we were standing outside waiting for you, his horde of sobbing fan girls came rushing over to us. Sasuke took off running to try and get away from them, I guess." Menma shrugged.

"He actually ran from them?" I asked shocked.

Usually when he's confronted by a situation like that he either gives the girls some stupid line and they forgive him and walk off or he casts a genjutsu and tricks them into forgiving him and they walk off. They always forgive him and leave happily, still madly in love with him. Always. Damn bastard...

"Yeah. He ran away." Menma repeated with a slight nod.

I frowned and looked away from Menma towards the street. Menma hadn't been kidding. It seemed like every girl around us was in tears.

"He seemed fine the last few days and then all of a sudden he started acting really weird. And I still don't understand what Ino meant when she said he only bought one rose. If he remembered to buy flowers, why only buy one? And for that matter, what happened to it? I've yet to see an ecstatic girl running up and down the streets jumping for joy or anyone with severe injuries so I don't think he gave it away…" Menma said, still trying to figure out a logical reason for Sasuke's sudden change in behavior.

"Hm… he might be sick… or this could be another one of his weird little games… either way, I can't do anything or check him for brain damage if he isn't here." I shrugged, turning back to my bowl of ramen.

I could have easily explained to Menma some of the things he didn't understand, like the disappearance of the one rose but I just felt so exhausted. I didn't have the energy to deal with this and I really didn't want to explain anything to Menma because then I'd have to explain everything else and answer all his other questions.

"Yeah, guess so… it may just have to wait until tomorrow." he agreed.

"Yeah probably… but not until late. You know how Kakashi is on mission days." I said, remembering that tomorrow will probably be just as exhausting as today; I felt like I needed a break, but I wasn't going to get one anytime soon…

"Oh crap that's right. I completely forgot we had a mission tomorrow." Menma groaned, running a hand through his hair.

"You're making a similar face as Sasuke; you know the one he makes when he accidently triple books a date on a mission day." I laughed, pointing at him.

"I have plans with Hinata tomorrow, she's gonna kill me if I blow her off. Maybe if I take her out tonight and explain, she won't get mad…" Menma bit his lip, his expression composed as he started pondering what to do to amend his situation.

"Hinata? You finally agreed to go out with her?"

"Yeah. After you and Sasuke ditched me the other night, I hung out with her… did you know she had a crush on me?" he asked glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.

"Hinata liked you? No way." I gasped, sarcasm oozing from my voice.

"Apparently she's had a crush on me for a really long time… I told her she should have said something sooner." Menma said with a shrug, emphasizing his ignorance.

I rolled my eyes at him, astonished that my blatant sarcasm had gone clear over his head. I didn't understand how someone so smart could be so oblivious sometimes.

"Sakura, don't make such a sad face. You were the one always rejecting me so you can't look upset now that I'm taken." Menma teased, smirking at me playfully.

"Date whoever you want Menma, I'm happy for you and Hinata." I said smiling at him. "As long as you make sure she understands we're just friends… otherwise I'm avoiding you from now on."

"Why would you avoid me?"

"Because Hinata is- coming this way. I'm gonna go and we were never here together." I said quickly, getting out of my chair and backing away.

"Wait! Sakura! I don't understand… uh, hi Hinata." Menma called out before turning and looking at his new girlfriend while I took off running.

I headed back to the hospital and got back to work. Sasuke and Menma didn't bother me for the rest of the day. I was actually kind of surprised Sasuke wasn't waiting for me when I got home; it came as a relief… with a small tinge of disappointment… not that I'd ever admit that to him or anyone else though.

I woke up in the morning and got ready then I walked outside.

"Good morning." Itachi smiled at me, stepping away from the wall he'd been leaning on.

"Morning Itachi." I said with a small smile as I tried to repress a yawn.

"Didn't sleep well?" he asked, walking with me.

"No just tired… you leaving?" I asked glancing at him.

"Yeah I'm on my way out. I should be back in a few weeks or so." He nodded. "I was just stopping by to say goodbye… and to thank you once more for looking after my brother while I'm gone."

"It's not like I have a choice." I said with an eye roll as we continued to walk.

In the distance I could see Kakashi talking to Menma and Sasuke, all three of them waiting on me. Kakashi always got to the meeting point hours before, Menma shows up a bit early, Sasuke is typically late, and I just fail to care if I'm early or late.

"He told me you rejected him… I hadn't expected it honestly." Itachi said stopping and looking over at the three.

"He told you?" I asked surprised, also looking over at Sasuke.

"Yeah, I had to help him set up a barrier around the compound last night; his fan girls were going crazy. Apparently he rejected all of them yesterday but he wouldn't tell them why… probably so you don't get harassed." Itachi chuckled, staring at his cherished younger brother.

"He rejected all of them?" I repeated, turning my attention to Itachi.

"Mhm, but that isn't what surprises me. I've always known he's favored you over all the others." Itachi said dismissing my shock with a wave of his hand. "I just never imagined he'd actually tell you the truth one day."

I frowned and began studying his face for any hint of insincerity while he continued to watch Sasuke.

Itachi didn't know I liked Sasuke but he liked to tease me and tell me that I'd make an excellent Uchiha and that I'm good for Sasuke. Similar to Minato and Kushina pressuring Menma to date me, Sasuke's family also pressures him to date me; apparently being a hero's daughter makes me valuable and bride material despite not being from a prestigious clan. I usually dismiss such comments from Itachi and his parents, but ever since Sasuke confessed… I've been kind of over thinking everything…

"Well, I should really be going. Take care Sakura, I'll see you when I return." Itachi said turning and smiling at me.

"Itachi…" I mumbled, looking at my feet.

"Sakura, I know you don't trust him but I really do think you're good for each other… and he's trying his best to prove himself. He knows he has to earn it and that it's gonna take a lot of work on his part so there's no harm in making him wait as long as you need." Itachi said smiling softly at me. "Mom and I spoil him too much anyway, so maybe this will be a good learning experience for him… teach him that he can't always have everything just because he wants it and that some things are worth striving for."

I looked up at him and gave him a weak smile, he smiled wider.

"Thanks Itachi…" I muttered softly.

"I'll see you when I get back, keep Sasuke out of trouble for me." Itachi tapped me on the forehead lovingly and walked off, leaving me to my team.

"Yosh! Good morning Sakura! Are you ready for today's mission?!" Kakashi asked excitedly, looking pumped up and full of energy like always.

"Sure." I said with a shrug.

I never understood how he could be so energetic so early in the morning…

"Don't encourage him." Menma scolded, scowling at me.

"What did Nii-san want?" Sasuke asked as we started walking.

"Just to say goodbye." I shrugged casually. "So what did you decide to do about Hinata?"

"Hinata?" Sasuke asked confused, looking at Menma.

"I took her out to dinner last night and I also had to promise to see her as soon as we're done for the day."

"You're finally dating Hinata?" Sasuke inquired.

"You don't have to keep running away from her Sakura. I'm more than capable of keeping my girlfriend under control. She wasn't even mad that we had lunch together." Menma stated, looking over at me with an unreadable expression.

"Somehow I find that hard to believe…" I mumbled under my breath; unable to think of anyone that's capable of keeping Hinata under control.

"Sasuke, as soon as we're done you need to let Sakura examine you, and don't run away this time." Menma said changing the subject and looking over at Sasuke.

"There's nothing wrong with me, you dumbass. I'm fine." Sasuke grumbled, glaring at him.

"I don't know… Itachi said you were acting pretty strange too." I smirked teasingly at him.

"What did he say to you?" Sasuke asked, regarding me curiously.

"Nothing really, just that you needed help putting up a barrier around the compound."

"Barrier? What for?" Menma inquired, looking at us over his shoulder.

"If we have time to chat, we're not moving fast enough!" Kakashi exclaimed picking up the pace.

The three of us groaned and followed after him, moving faster.

"Annoying relentless fan girls." Sasuke choked out a few seconds later.

"What do you mean annoying? You love your Koneko-chans." Menma argued, as we did our best to keep up with Kakashi.

I glanced over at Sasuke wondering how he'd respond to Menma's comment but he never responded, instead focusing on the trees we were moving through and maintaining his balance.

At the end of the day Sasuke and I carried Kakashi home while Menma rushed off to meet up with Hinata. Although the mission was easy, Kakashi always insisted on using his Sharingan and wearing himself out needlessly.

"So, have you come to a decision yet?" Sasuke asked as we exited Kakashi's humble abode.

"You're kidding right?" I asked glancing at him.

Sasuke frowned looking at me confused. I stopped and scowled at him, putting a hand on my hip.

"Sasuke, you can't honestly expect me to trust you just because you've managed to go two days without hitting on a bunch of girls." I stated harshly, glaring at him.

"But I rejected all of them completely. I don't know what else you want me to do to prove myself." Sasuke said, grasping my hands suddenly and pulling me closer to him. "I'm serious about you Sakura, I really do love you." he declared, gazing into my green eyes.

"You keep saying that but it doesn't mean anything." I grumbled, gently pulling my hands free and taking a step back. "Sasuke, I know you. You'll say whatever, do whatever it takes, anything at all to get the girl you want. Then as soon as you're done with your little game you'll toss her aside like all your other exes."

"Sakura…" he frowned staring at me.

I quickly turned away from him and once more wrapped an arm around my middle, my defensive pose.

"I refuse to be another one of your nameless, faceless, girls. You're one of my best friends, you mean a lot to me… I'd do most anything for you, but… this is too much. I won't become one of your Koneko-chans and allow you to just carelessly toss me aside after a week or two like I never mattered. I don't want to play your dumb game Sasuke. So… just leave me alone…"

I started to run off when he flash stepped in front of me and pulled me into his arms.

"Sasuke! Let go!" I growled, trying to push him away, he only held onto me tighter.

"Sakura, that would never happen. I'm not gonna stand here and lie to you and tell you that I've never done that to girls because I have and I'm not ashamed of it. But those girls, every single one of them, don't matter. They are all Koneko-chan because I don't care enough about them to learn their names or memorize their faces; they mean absolutely nothing to me. But you… you will always be Sakura; My Sakura."

"Stop." I complained reaching up and covering my ears, trying to block out his sweet honeyed words; desperately trying to defend my fragile heart against his fierce attacks.

"No, listen to me." he ordered, grabbing my wrists and yanking them down at our sides. "There is only one girl I have ever told the words 'I love you' to and that's you Sakura. I'll say it to you as many times as it takes to get it through your thick skull but I love you and only you. I've always loved you and nothing will ever change that."

I scowled and looked away from him, not wanting to hear anymore.

"Tch."

Sasuke let go of my wrists and quickly wrapped one arm around my waist, the other hand moving to my cheek and forcing my head to the side; his dark obsidian eyes locking with mine.

"I'm in love with you, Sakura Haruno."

Before I could respond or push him away he crashed his lips onto mine, tightening his grip around my waist so I couldn't break free easily. I stood there, frozen in utter shock, unable to move or think clearly as his mouth devoured mine. I didn't kiss him back but I didn't push him away either. My mind was blank and everything was going fuzzy. I slowly started to close my eyes and accept his warmth, his passionate kiss, letting the world around us fade out… until he began to slide his tongue past my slightly parted lips.

My eyes snapped open and I shoved him away forcefully, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. His eyes widened in surprise; his face mirroring the expression I probably had when he kissed me. I wasn't expecting him to do that and he wasn't expecting me to push him away.

"You don't get it at all!" I yelled at him, feeling tears beginning to sting the corner of my eyes as i cursed myself for being weak.

I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! Why can't he understand my feelings? Why does he have to go to such lengths? Why can't he just leave me alone? I'm already broken and weak… does he really need to kick me while I'm down? To ruin everything else? I can't risk losing someone so important to me, why can't he just understand? Why'd he have to kiss me and make it all the more complicated? He's a player, the chase is everything to him... but I want real love; I don't want to be another Koneko-chan, not when he means so much to me... why does he have to say those words to me? The words I rarely hear, that I've always yearned to hear from him... the risk is too great and each time it's like a stab to the heart... how long before the wound he makes is too great and it becomes fatal? Why'd he have to kiss me? Why did I have to fall in love with such a person?

"Stupid perverted Uchiha!" I screamed at him before racing off past him, heading for the sanctity of my home.

"I mean it Sakura! You can ask anyone, I've only ever said those words to you!" Sasuke called out after me, knowing better than to chase me.