A.N/: Yeah this is like 6 months later! I know im a later updater like others. Really this chapter was finished and saved on here. . but got deleted after a period of time. .. Sorry for the long wait~!

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto

The Innocent and the Tainted

Chapter 6

Recap

I heard Tsunade sighed 'Well..you can stay here, but i don't think that traveling with Sasuke would be a good idea." Would someone would please explain why? My fear of Tsunade dissolved a little, and i began acting a bit rude 'Why not?" I demanded. Tsunade paused for a second and narrowed her eyes at me "its not safe, for a girl like you" My anger didn't faze, just as i was about to ask why Naruto interrupted me "Ok, uh we should get going now!"

Tsunade nodded, "come back in 5 minutes for a mission." What the heck was a mission? Naruto dragged me out of the broken door with Sasuke following behind.

As soon as we got out of the building Naruto breathed out a long sight. "Sorry Sakura-chan, its just Tsunade-baa-chan gets all pissy when people ask her to much questions." Naruto shrugged. I shuddered remembering the broken door and my fear of the women increased. "Oh"

I stared at Sasuke walking beside me with his usual stoic e expression. He noticed me staring and looked at me in question. It was getting easy for me to read Sasuke-kun. "So" I began sullenly "You don't want me to come with you?"

He kept silent for a few seconds 'No...its too dangerous"

"Why is it dangerous?" I asked. Because seriously, I still didn't know anything, and it felt as though both Naruto and Sasuke where hiding something from me, which made me all the more curious to find out.

'Ne, ne Sakura-chan, why do you want to go with Sasuke so much?? You'll like it here way better!"

I didn't answer because i didn't know the answer myself. It wasn't exactly me wanting someone to like me anymore, this village seemed friendly, and Naruto was nice too me, it was the fact that Sasuke wasn't going to be here at all, and even thought I've only known him for a few days, I didn't really want to separate from him. Some part of felt that i was in debt to him, or maybe i was just being stubborn and selfish?

'Yeah...I'll like it here" my voice came out in a whisper, but Naruto still seemed to hear it 'Alright!" Naruto cheered 'I gotta go see what tsunade-baa-chan wants, but once Sasuke-teme shows you around, you can meet me back here around 7pm and I can find you, and apartment! Or I can't find you one, you can stay over at my place! Ja!" ran off to the same building.

I blinked, he said it so fast, that i didn't fully understand it. I looked over to Sasuke who had a dirty look on his face. i guess he understood it. He scoffed and started to walk "Come on" here ordered. I skipped up to him hopeful "Are you taking me with you?"

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye "No, were getting you new clothes"

I glanced at my ripped dress. He was going to spend money on me? I blushed "Y-you don't have to...." my voice trailed off when he commanded a 'hurry up' Sighing i picked up my pace, but it stilled didn't match his. I smiled to myself, thinkging that maybe I should enjoy the rest of the day that I have left with him....

End recap

Sakuras POV

I gasped at the wonderful array of clothes before me.

I was currently standing the the biggest kimono store i had seen in my life (or the first). There were rows and rows of hung up dress every shape colour and style.

I didn't know where to begin. . ..

Sasuke-kun had taken me to buy new clothes since i would be staying here, plus my rag dress was completly torn. I didn't mind staying in this, but he insisted, and even gave me the money to buy them. This really hasn't suited well with me, because how and i am ever going to repay 50 000 yen? I asked to stay with until i re payed my debt, but he wouldn't let me, and insisted i stay in Konoha. And i even thought too myself how stupid i was being. I was lucky to even end up in a village, it was what i wanted all along! But now i can't see myself every being anywhere else without sasuke-kun. Was it infatuation?

A lady in purple hair and pretty make up came up to me and pulled me out of my daze.

"Excuse me miss. . how may i help up you?"

I blinked at her. Was she talking to me? The lady stared at my clothing. .or rags and then back up to my face, she then laughed "Holy! You must have had a rough day to be be wearing .. that" she wrinkled her nose.

I opened my mouth to speak "Uh. . uhm. . " What was I here for again?

"Are you here for a kimono of some sort?" she interrupted my mumbles. My face brightened up "yeah! that's it" I chirped. She nodded "Follow me" she ordered. I obeyed and followed her to a small section.

"This is the small section, my kami you have such a frail body!" she eyed my stomach, then asked "Any occasion?" I shook my head. I wasn't used to speaking with people at all, and this woman was kind of intimidating with her looks. She nodded, "Feel free to try them on, there's a changing room straight down to the right. I'm Kumiko by the way" She told me, then began to leave. My eyes widened, i didn't know this stuff, so how was i supposed to pick this stuff out?

"Uhm..excuse me Kumiko?" I squeaked, nervous already. Somehow she heard me. "Uhm. . do you mind picking a few out for me? I'm not good at this" I blushed feeling stupid. I must be the only girl in this village who doesn't know how to pick out kimonos. The lady raised her eyebrows and nodded, before rummaging through the pile of kimonos. She then began piling dress into my hands.

"This dress will bring out your eye color" She threw a green kimono at me. "And this one will compromise with your hair" She threw a red kimono at me. Then began piling up from there. About 7 kimonos were in my hand. Kumiko pushed me into the dressing room to try them on. Some were too big, some were to obirght and flashy. And some were just lain uncomfertable. I settled with a white kimono with pink cherry blossoms on it and a green plain one. i decided to wear the white one.

"The white on is my favorite one on you!" Kumiko smiled at me. I begin to feel comfortable and smiled back. "Thank you, I'll purchase these two" I could actually speak, as i hand her the white kimono and the green one too her. She calculated the cost on this machine thing. "35 000 yen please" I handed her the money and she gave me change.

"Sakura, hurry up" an impatient voice made me jump. I smiled "Sasuke-kun you said you weren't going to come in!"

Sasuke was leaning against the door in a not-so-happy mood, he wore a dark hat to cover most of his face.

I heard a gasp and a squeal from Kumiko "Sasuke-kun your back!" she squealed she ran up to him her eyes shining. Sasuke completly ignored her his eyes focusing on me. I gulped, how did Kumiko know Sasuke-kun? I was just curious.

''Just hurry up" he grunted and walked out, leaving Kumiko disappointed

"Wait I'm done!" I turned to Kumiko 'Thank you for helping-"

"How do you know Sasuke-kun?" I was met by a deadly glare.

I gulped. 'I'm sorry, but i have to go now!" I squeaked and ran out the door.

I caught up with Sasuke-kun who began to walk. He seemed annoyed, i wondered if i took to long. "Sasuke-kun? Where are we going?" I asked trying to lighten the mood, it didn't work. "Too the decided where your gonna live" he said calmly. I tried again "Do you like my kimono?" I smiled up at him, although he didn't look.

"aa" he mumbled and quickened his pace. I could no longer see his face. I sighed and tried to catch up with him on the path, my interest wondered to all the markets and outdoor eating places. It felt like fun to be around this village, why would Sasuke want to live away from this? My interest piqued at a little shop with a red dress. It was a short sleeved, and had circles on each side. A slit was seen on each side too. "That's a cute dress" I pointed which got Sasuke's attention.

"I should've gotten that one." I sighed. He looked at me "you couldnt have gotten it anyways, its a dress designed for ninjas" he explained. i blinked "Ninjas?" I repeated awed. I still wanted the dress. He sighed "Never mind, I said too much."

I looked down 'i see . . "

I walked in silence to the outside of the Hokage office. That blond. . Naruto was standing outside grinning at me. I smiled back. I was beginning to like Naruto, there was definitely something feel at ease.

"Sakura-chan! I was thinking! Until we get you your own apartment, you can stay with me!"

Sasuke growled "Be serious you idiot, she'll get some disease living in your place.."

"Is that some kind of joke Teme? My place is perfectly fine!" Naruto countered back.

"Besides the fact that you don't clean it" Sasuke glared, 'I'm leaving today, so i have to make she she's in a human environment" Sasuke grinded out.

I froze. Sasuke-kun was leaving tonight? I didn't want that at all. Couldn't he just stay for another week until i felt ok?

"HEY YOU WANNA FIGHT?!?" Naruto snapped. Sasuke scoffed "Don't have time" he grabbed my arm. 'Were going to the hokages office"

Naruto crossed his arms "Fine! But if there's no other options, then Sasuke-chans living with me, right Sakura-chan?" he asked me as Sasuke dragged me to the doors. I smiled and nodded, even though i felt numb. I really didn't want sasuke-kun to leave me here, even if i was staying with Naruto i wanted him close by. Naruto followed as we made our way to the hokages office.

We found Tsunade going over paper work, she looked up as Sasuke spoke "Sakura needs a place to stay"

"Sakura can stay at Naruto's" Tsuande answered immediately earning a 'Ha!' from Naruto. "Thats not possible, i don't trust that dobe with her" Sauke grounded out, he seemed angry.

"Wha? Sakura-chan likes me you know!" Naruto wrapped his arms around me. "Right Sakura-chan?" I nodded, but i ddint say anything on wanting to be with sasuke-kun. It would probably hurt his feelings. Sasuke glared at me and Naruto, i suddenly felt small, and stepped away from Naruto feeling shy again. He grinned unfazed.

'Well if your so worried, we could set up an apartment far away from here, however i think we should keep her close, and there isnt any nearby apratments that are available in the village right now." Tsunade explained, her eyes staring into Sasuke's.

Sasuke turned to glare at Naruto "Clean your apartment" It was acknowledgment that i would be staying in Naruto's apartment. This didn't settle well with me, I was disappointed that he didn't fight the subject.

"I-I want to stay with Sasuke-kun!" I blurted out. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at me "I already said no Sakura."

Tears formed in my eyes. I didn't want him to say no.

"Sasuke's right, its way to dangerous" Tsunade said sternly. Naruto blanched "Why do you wanna go with Teme!" he whined. Sasuke turned to leave, "This is stupid, I'm wasting time. Later" he walked to the door. My vision was blurry as I followed him out the door down the hallways and outside, ignoring Naruto's calls

. He stopped and turned out to glare harshly at me. "Stop following me. I've done my part. I no longer have to associate myself with you" he seethed.

I began to cry harder. "I don't care! I still want to be with you!"

Sasuke growled "Shut up. I don't know you, so how can you want to be with me so badly?" I blanched, his words had hurt somewhere. I smiled at him through my tears, and said the only thing that made sense to me. "Because you make me happy."

"..."

Sasuke's eyes stared down intently at me and he slowly walked up to me. I blushed through my tears being centimeters away from him, i had to look up because he was so tall, and even though it might have been my imagination, his eyes became soft. Slowly he reached up and caressed my cheek wiping a tear from my eyes. My blush increased tenfold.

"Your annoying when you cry" he whispered into my ear. I quickly dried my eyes. "Better?" I asked. He smirked at me and my heart skipped a beat.

"Come. ."

YAY DONEEE. . .I'm sorry for the wait, i did this all one night so its a little short, and crappy ;S, and its summer soon soo ill have more time to finish this story before finishing the others. OH and i change my name to strawberrypattern because. . .well i dunno why its just random!

-strawberrypattern