Sasuke had tried to sever the bond once. But the bond with Sakura would not be severed. He was so happy she loved him. Even though he didn't deserve her. She deserved so much better. Yet she settled for him. Truly Sasuke didn't think he could put into words how much she meant to him.
Though he refused to accept it for years. Truly he wondered now if it had always been there. Under his arrogance and need for revenge, if he had always had feelings for her. In the beginning he hadn't wanted to like her. She obviously had a crush on him. When he called her an annoyance then he had meant it.
She would just get in the way. She wasn't as strong as him he had thought. Maybe he cared for her life but that was simply the good in him to protect the innocent. As well as protect comrades because that was what you did as a shinobi of the leaf. He couldn't say he cared about her to begin with.
But she proved herself to him. Her fawning and attempts to get his attention annoyed him. She might have been the worst fangirl. Something changed then. He found out she didn't have just a simple girl crush on him. But that she really did care and worry about him. He hadn't had a woman do that since his mother.
Sure he got lots of girl's attention. But they liked his looks and skills. They knew nothing about him and likely didn't care. She saw him as a comrade he had decided but that didn't mean she loved him. He had said It many times, she had no reason to love him. She very nearly was one of the reasons he wouldn't have went to Orochimaru to get his revenge.
But he decided he must break the bond with her. The bond he denied having for so long with her. That night at the village gates she came after him. When deciding to leave she was one of the things he would miss. One of the things he was giving up. He dismissed her in hopes she would leave him alone. They were on different paths after all.
But she cried for him and confessed her love for the first time. He believed her in a way. And was shocked she would feel all this for him. She promised to make every day a joy and had begged him to stay. He could hear in her words that she truly meant it. When he refused she offered even coming with him.
Further confirming how far she would go for him. But he couldn't allow her to come for many reasons. The sound ninja four wouldn't want her coming along. They were way too strong for her anyway. Going to Orochimaru was too dangerous for her. He didn't want her anyway just Sasuke. He doubted she would agree to see the one who had attacked them both and the leaf, as well as killed the third Hokage.
No she was good and belonged in the village. They were on different paths. Revenge wasn't for her and she didn't share that burden. She would never allow him to be evil. In fact she would hinder that. Her presence and the existence of that bond would hinder his revenge. Not to mention he didn't want her near Itachi.
He couldn't bare the thought of Itachi taking away someone else he cared about. He was no match for him and knew she wouldn't be. But she would put herself in danger to protect him as she had against Gaara. Maybe he also wanted to keep her the kind person she was. Either way he left even though he knew it hurt her.
When he saw her again he was ready to attack seeing her as an enemy. Convinced the bond they had was no longer there. But it became apparent she still held onto that bond. Later even attempting to kill him to save him. Though ultimately she couldn't do It. He still dismissed her feelings now wanting revenge on the leaf.
Yet fighting by her side in the war again he saw her strength. How far she had come. He liked fighting with her and was impressed. It brought him back to the past they had together. But when he wanted to fight Naruto she confessed once more. Still showing the love she had for him. He was still unable to understand it. There was no reason for them to love each other. He told her as much knocking her out again. Her presence was still a hindrance.
But after the fight he realized what bonds were. He felt sorry and ashamed for what he had done. He apologized to her and she forgave him. And he left her again but with a mind more clear. She waited for him still. He had hurt her physically and mentally. Broken her heart and yet she forgave him still.
And he realized then that's what love was. Forgiveness no matter what. She was beautiful though looks didn't matter to him. She was inwardly beautiful and she loved ferociously. It had always been Sakura would always be her. She watched over him and never gave up on him. All when most people had.
So he went back to the village, his life, and her. They married and had a daughter. Another great gift Sakura gave him because she loved him. And he loved her and always would. It was so simple to see now. For all his intelligence he had been stupid to deny it for so long. And when he left her once again this time for a mission she loved him still.
Her love would never waver. His love for her and their daughter wouldn't either. He felt sure if his parents had met her they would agree. She was good for him. Always had been and she proved it more every day. Despite his shortcomings he did his best to make her feel as loved, appreciated, beautiful, strong, and courageous as she was.
She was his perfect partner. The love he never knew he needed. He may have been stronger than her, but not only did she have the strength of Tsunade, but the power to break him should she ever leave. But the beauty was she wouldn't. He was helplessly devoted to her. The great Sasuke Uchiha was helpless. It sounded strange but it was true. So this was love then?