A/N: Okay, so this might be my last chapter for a couple of days. I REALLY want to write more, but I can't. You see, fanfiction has an annoying tendency to make me forget certain responsibilities (like graduating from high-school) but in a couple of weeks all that will be over (CHA!) and I'll be home free for weeks and weeks and weeks which will be dedicated to reading and writing fanfiction! But, yes, I DO need to get this school thing over and done with first (though I won't stop writing completely. I don't think I CAN stop. Oh well).

Seven: She Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

One week had past since Sakura's blow-up on the training field and she was strangely disappointed. Sasuke had treated her exactly the same as before, if not worse. He hardly spoke to her and pretended she wasn't even there. She was beginning to think what happened last week was a dream. There was nothing of the Sasuke she had seen that night.

And she couldn't deny that it hurt. She'd thought she'd been prepared for any kind of let down from him, because that was all he did, really. Let her down. But it hadn't hurt any less and every day he ignored her she felt a familiar pain creep around her heart, squeezing it until she wasn't sure she could keep breathing. It was exactly how it had been back then. Back when he first left. Back then everyday she woke up she had to remind herself why she had to get up that morning. Why she couldn't just stay in bed and sleep it away, like a bad nightmare. And then she'd cursed herself for being so weak. She was a ninja. She lived a ninja's life. People leaving, whether it was because of death or something else was a regular occurrence. Did she really think she'd be spared the heartbreak? That was part of the job description. Sometimes friends and loved ones didn't come home.

But did they decide to leave? Did that ever happen?

Well, Orochimaru had left Tsunade, but she didn't think Tsunade had ever liked him. He was too much of a freak for anyone to like. And she'd loved Sasuke, more than she thought she could love anyone. It had grown past the original school-girl crush and evolved into a full-fledged, unrequited love. Sakura hadn't even realized it was that serious until he was about to walk out of those gates and she tried to stop him. She didn't know what had happened to cause it or when it had started; all she knew is that she couldn't let him walk out of those gates. But he did anyway. Her love wasn't good enough. It never would be, so why did she try?

Because she loved him still, as full-fledged and unrequited as before.

She knew it was hopeless and that her heart would just get broken over and over again, but she couldn't help it. She couldn't deny her heart. She just couldn't. She'd tried for so long, suppressing it with all her will, but it wasn't enough. She'd even struggled with it then. But now that she was with him again it had all come back with such intensity it was hard not to stare at him when he walked in the room, touch him when he was so close…tell him.

She wanted to let it out because it was too much for her to keep to herself. It felt as though her heart was going to explode any second, but how could she? Before he'd just ignored her, but what now? She couldn't think what he'd do now. It just wasn't an option.

But she couldn't ignore it like she'd tried before. All that came out of that was a bad drinking habit. She couldn't tell him every 5 seconds and fawn all over him like she'd done before he'd left. That was just stupid. She'd done that because she didn't know what else to do with such mature feelings at such an immature age. It had overwhelmed her so she had overwhelmed him. That hadn't been good for either of them. She couldn't ignore him. She thought that it wouldn't be so bad when she wasn't around him, but she was wrong. It was worse. She would always be counting down the minutes until she'd see him again and she wasn't able to concentrate on anything, including her training.

So she'd concentrated on the one thing that could take her mind anyway from everything, even Sasuke.

Healing people.

Just the thought that she was helping people made her happy. Just the thought that she was useful, that people needed her was enough to relieve the pain, if only for a while. Even if Sasuke didn't want or need her, others did.

Because she couldn't concentrate on fighting, she merely observed the fights, and once they were done, she'd attend to the wounded. At first she was met with resistance. The Sound nin weren't used to being attended to. They'd been taught to just deal with the pain and work past it. At that Sakura had just said that was all good and well for the mind and resolve, but not for the body. If they kept mistreating it like that it'd break down on them before it's time and they'd be dealing with all sorts of problems. And after she'd rattled off just a few of the ailments in store for them, they reluctantly accepted her touch with wide eyes. She knew they were probably afraid of Sasuke's reaction, but Sakura told them she'd take care of it. She'd take the full responsibility and say she'd forced them with her strength.

The way she saw it, he'd brought her here as a medic. If she wasn't going to heal Orochimaru, she might as well work on the rest of the Sound.

At first she felt a bit like a traitor for healing them, but as she started talking to them and getting to know them, she realized most of them were actually good people. Most of them had grown up here and it was all they'd known. They didn't know there was anything else out there. They thought this was just the way life was. Eat or be eaten, strongest gets all. Her kindest baffled some and they couldn't seem to grasp the concept that she actually wanted to help them, for no other reason than that alone. They though theremust be some hidden agenda, but soon realized there wasn't and greeted her with a smile. Some even sought her out even when she wasn't healing them. She'd made friends.

Of course, some were downright sick in the head. No amount of chakra could heal that! Some enjoyed seeing others in pain and enjoyed inflicting it even more. She thought that since they must enjoy watching and inflicting pain, they must enjoy experiencing it too and refused to heal them with some feeble excuse like "Oh, I must reserve my chakra, I'm almost out." They probably knew she was avoiding them, but what could they do? Kill her? That's all they knew how to do and if they did, Sasuke would be on their asses for it.

And all were amazed at her abilities. When they were badly wounded, they came to her thinking she wouldn't be able to do anything, but she'd fixed them. As a medic, she was only supposed to give them a push, a head-start on the healing process, but she always found that she healed them completely. She just couldn't stop once she'd started, knowing that she could go the whole way. She just couldn't pull her hands away. And she couldn't let them walk away knowing she could have done more. And she figured it was better that she healed it completely anyway because Sound nin didn't know the meaning of rest. They'd just keep going anyway, no matter what injury, so they'd still harm their bodies.

But all of her effort left her dead on her feet by the time Sasuke came to take her to his room. He must account her tiredness to training. If he'd known about her healing he definitely would have said something.

As soon as she entered the room, she fell on the bed and fell asleep, without even putting the covers on (though they were always on come morning. She figured she'd just done it in her subconscious state coz she was cold). It also meant she ate twice as much to regain her depleted energy. Healing always left her hungry. The only reason she never put on weight was because of vigorous training and a naturally petite figure. And because she was so tired all the time, it didn't leave too much room for thinking about Sasuke. Of course, he was never far from her thoughts, and when he walked in the room it was hard for her not to reach out and touch him, but then she started thinking about what kind of injuries her Sound nin would have today (they never did things in half-measures. If they were going to train, they were going to nearly kill themselves in the process and come back for more the next day. If they hurt their right arm, they'd learn to fight with their left through trial and error, hurting themselves even more in the process).

Sakura glanced at the clock again for the third time in that minute. It was almost 12:30.

Sasuke should be coming soon.

Her heart leaped and she made no move to stop it. It was pointless. Sakura had never been one who was able deny her heart what it wants. It had been hard enough the last time she'd tried, just to have it all come rushing back again. Now that she knew that was bound to happen, she didn't see the point in trying. It just hurt a lot. Well, it hurt either way, but at least with this way she felt the happiness along with the pain. It was almost worth it.

The door opened and Sakura looked up expectantly and felt slightly guilty when Sasuke didn't walk in because it was Omri.

He smiled and lifted his hand in greeting. "Hey, Sakura!"

Sakura smiled brightly, keeping her voice light and void of the disappointment she felt. She liked Omri, he just wasn't Sasuke. It would be hours until she'd see him next.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"

Omri shrugged as he approached their table. "I don't understand it myself, really. I was just walking along, minding my own business when some elite comes up to me and says I've been ordered to escort you to training and remain there to train with you! Orders from the top and everything. I had a scroll, but it exploded so, yeah."

Sakura's mind was trying to get around this new development. Orders from the top must mean Sasuke coz Sasuke was at the top. But why would he getOmri of all people to escort her to training and staywith her? She kind of had the impression that he hated Omri.

Despite her confusion, she smiled at him. "Well, I'm not going to complain! Let's go!" She stood up and they exited the lunch room in silence. Once they were alone, Omri started talking.

"So I heard about your healing thing. When did that happen?"

Sakura laughed in embarrassment. "Oh, that? That's nothing. I just didn't feel like hurting people, so I decided I'd heal them instead!"

Omri laughed, "Fair enough. We all you know can kick our asses anyway! I saw how you took down those three chunin last week!"

He didn't mention Sasuke and for once she didn't let her mind wander to that part of the day. She'd only get distracted again. "Yeah, well, they were only chunin. I had to go easy on them."

Omri laughed in disbelief. "Go easy on them? You pummeled them! I hate you see what you're fully capable of!"

Sakura laughed with him. "Well, I must say I scare myself in my ferocity sometimes. It seems that when I start I cannot stop until I get the job well and truly done."

"I noticed that with your healing as well. You don't stop until you're completely done. You seem a little tired afterwards."

Tired was a gross understatement. Sakura laughed feebly. "Yeah, well, I don't like walking away when I know I can do more."

"But isn't that kind of damaging to your body?"

Yes. "Oh, um, my chakra always comes back by the next morning. I'm quite used to it."

Omri frowned. The expression didn't suit him at all. "You take of everyone, Sakura, so who takes care of you?"

"No one. I can take care of myself. I'm not weak. I can handle it. I know my own limits. I'm not a fool. I'm the medic. If anyone knows, it's me."

Omri raised his hands. "Okay, okay. I wasn't insinuating that you weren't. I was just worried."

Sakura smiled in apology. "Sorry, I kind of get a little testy when I think people think I'm weak. Just coz I used to be doesn't mean I am anymore."

"Honestly, Sakura, I could never imagine you weak. And I'm not just referring to your super-strength either. It's you spirit as well. I don't think anyone could crush it."

Only one person could. Sasuke. She almost sighed. If only she'd fallen for a nice, normal guy like Omri who didn't have any scarring psychological issues or at least had the kind of character that moved on, not mull over it for eternity.

Sakura quickly changed when they reached the training grounds. She usually wore her medic uniform because all she did was heal people, but Omri told her he wanted to try himself against her unusual abilities.

"I must warn you, Sakura. Not only can I sense chakra, but I can sense when they're building it up to prepare an attack so I'll see everything coming. You can't surprise me."

Sakura smiled sweetly. "Then this should be interesting." But the last thing she felt like doing was training.

---

Sasuke looked at the clock on the wall. She'd be with Omri right about now. Sasuke clenched his hands around the arms of the chair to keep himself in check. The urge to go there and tear her away from him was almost beyond his control. He couldn't believe he was literally handing her over to Omri to have his sweet way with her, but what else could he do? He couldn't stop her from any other relationships just because he wanted her. It was selfish. He couldn't do that to her.

But the pain…it was unlike anything he'd experienced before, besides the time his entire clan was slaughtered by his brother. But he felt like he was experiencing it all over again. But Sakura wasn't dying…she was running into the arms of another guy. He didn't know what was worse. No Sakura at all or Sakura with someone else.

This was the reason he walked away. He knew that once he let someone in it'd happen all over again. Story of his life. And he'd kept his guard up, but all the walls came crashing down as soon as he saw Sakura cry. He didn't know how she'd wormed her way in, but she had and she wasn't about to leave anytime soon.

That's why he'd walked away from all of them before. It had been starting to happen but he couldn't let them take first place in his life while Itachi still walked. He'd just end up leaving anyway to fight him and possibly not come back. He couldn't let them - especially Sakura - live the dream just to have it end in a nightmare. So he'd left. He'd left before he couldn't.

But now Itachi was dead and he couldn't walk away. Sure, he could just return her to Konoha (he hardly cared about Orochimaru's arms anymore), but what was the point? He knew he'd just end up going back again and again, if for nothing more than just to see her. And the thought of her leaving…well, he didn't think about it. He couldn't. In part, putting her with Omri was slightly selfish. If she was with him, if she…fell in love with Omri, she wouldn't want to leave him so she wouldn't leave him either. Even if it were for someone else, she'd still be here. He knew she'd stay, no matter how strong her loyalties to Konoha. Because when Sakura fell in love, she fell in love bad.He should know.

His heart clenched as the memory of her weeping of him in the Water County came to him. Once she'd cared beyond all human reckoning, but not now. He'd hurt her too badly. And he was sorry, sorrier than he could ever express, but he'd end up hurting her anyway, no matter what he did. It was just inevitable…inescapable. There wasn't any point trying.

But seeing her everyday and not being able to touch when he could smell her, not being able to hold her again…not being able to tell her. It was almost too much sometimes and in the middle of the night he just had to walk out of the room because his body couldn't stand her being so close yet not being able to have her. He desired her in a way that was unnatural for him. Sure, he'd been attracted to women before, but not like this. Nothing like this. Her beauty hit him anew everyday she woke, enticing him with that figure, that smile.

And he wanted to tell her, but the time for that was 6 years past. He was too late. She'd probably be disgusted. His chest constricted in pain. He shut his eyes and waited for the sensation to pass, willing himself to think of something else. But there wasn't anything else that mattered.

---

"You seem a little distracted, Sakura."

Sakura opened her eyes as they focused Omri, who was leaning over her. He'd delivered a hard blow that had sent her back 10 feet and into a tree, knocking her head in process. She had been beating him until her thoughts returned to that day last week when she had been fighting those chunin and Sasuke had come. The only thing that sparked the thought was a similar move used on Omri that she had used on the chunin. And the fight had gone downhill from there. Omri knew she could kick his ass, so obviously something was up.

"Yeah, I suppose I am. It's just…everything, really." She said as she picked herself up and leaned back against the tree.

"Want to tell me about it?"

Sakura laughed bitterly. "I doubt you'd understand."

"I can still listen."

"No thanks."

Omri shrugged. "Well since you obviously don't feel like fighting, how about I tell you my story."

Sakura had been curious as to how a guy like Omri got here. He didn't suit this place. He was too happy. "Okay."

She sat down against the tree and Omri joined her, sitting close enough so their shoulders were touching. Sakura tried to feel something, but there was nothing. Yet when she laid a single hand on Sasuke…

"I guess you're thinking I don't exactly belong in this place."

"Thatwas what I was thinking, actually."

Omri shrugged. "I guess I don't. But I'll start from the beginning."

"Knock yourself out." Anything that would distract her for a couple of minutes was fine with her.

Omri leaned his head back against the tree and sighed heavily. "Where to begin? Well, I was born in this tiny village in Wind Country. It was a poor village and we were poor. Everyone was poor there. I can't even remember the name of it anymore. This part of my life seems more like a dream than anything else. Remember I told you I can be stubborn? Well, most nin here just let go of their past, their lives before they got here, but I refuse to. My goal is to return to my village sometime in the near future and make it a better place. But I'm getting ahead of myself."

"Um…let's see. Well, I was born into a farmer's family and my parents had eight children already. They weren't meant to have me. They could hardly get by as it was, but my Mother refused to kill her own child, so I was kept. A farmer's life is not an easy one in the Wind Country. The land is flat and barren and the soil tough, hardly fertile. It is rare that anything will grow properly, but my father didn't know how to do anything else. So that's how I grew up until I was 8. a poor, dirty, skinny boy who's best friend was a cow." Sakura laughed at that. "But I was always a happy child. My father had always been bitter. I remember him forever complaining about my mother's cooking. Every single night, even though she did her best with what she had. I suppose he was just disheartened at the poor crops year after year. But my mother, she was the sun herself." Omri smiled lightly as he remembered her. "She was the best woman I've ever known." He glanced at Sakura. "But you come pretty damn close." Sakura laughed and told him to continue. "Okay, so my Mother was great. She was so loving and kind, but kept her children in order at the same time. Whenever we complained she always told us to be grateful for what we do have, for no matter how bad off we were there was always someone worse off in the world and we should say a prayer for them. I never once heard her complain. And when she smiled, it was like the world was right again." He glanced at Sakura again. "Of course, you-"

Sakura laughed, cutting him off. "Yes, yes, I get it!"

Omri smiled. No wonder his smile was so infectious if his Mother was as good as she sounded. "So I am extremely grateful I took after her more. I seemed to be the only one. All my other siblings were little brats if I remember correctly. I was her favorite. She denied she had favorites, but you'd have to be blind to see the bond between us. She always knew I was different, I suppose. It started when ninja came to our house in search for shelter for the raging wind storm, a regular in our country. As they came in, I noticed a certain ethereal glow that surrounded them that no one else I'd ever seen before had. The lights were different colors and some were stronger than others. And when I was six, I was old enough to go into the village by myself. I noticed more of these ethereal glows surrounding certain people. At first I thought I was just being fanciful, but then I asked a kind ninja what it was and he said, "It's called chakra. It's a ninja's life force. Everyone has it, but not everyone knows how to tap into it. A ninja does though. So you can see it, eh?" he'd rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he said it. I remember it perfectly. Then he looked at me with a certain gleam in his eyes. I noticed his chakra had grown brighter. He then said, "That talent of yours could be handy." He didn't do anything further, just walked away thoughtfully. After that experienced, I endeavored to find out everything I could about ninjas. It was an obsession. I wanted to be one more than anything. My father dismissed it as a young boy's dream that would never come to pass, but my mother always encouraged me and always watched me do my stunts and played games of pretend with me. She was my damsel in distress, you see. My eldest brother was the unwitting villain. He'd participate in the games without even knowing. I'd provoke him and he'd start after me so I practiced that way. When I was 8 I was presented with another opportunity to go to the village. Things hadn't changed all too much, but I sensed something. It was strong, powerful, but most of all it was dark. It terrified me. I went searching for the presence, believing I'd finally found my villain and that I'd finally get to save my damsel in distress. But it turned out he was looking for me. He found me in a back alley and the color he was radiating was so dark I couldn't see through it. I saw evil itself and I'll never forget it. he stood before me and finally spoke after staring at me for a few minutes. I'll never forget what he said. "So judging by that look on your face, I'm assuming you're the boy who can see chakra. But you knew I was coming too. So you must sense it also. I have big plans for you." At that point his aura of chakra retreated a bit and I could see him. At first glance I saw a young man, no older than 25, but then suddenly that face disappeared and I saw him for what he really was. An old man with a young man's face. It's the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. It was a gross mixture of all his past faces and his old one."

Orochimaru.

"I can still see that if I look hard enough, but I hardly want to. I was too terrified to speak at the time. He frowned at that point and said, "You see a great deal more than you should. I'll have to teach you how to control that. You see, boy, I am a ninja of great power. There are few who are my equal." I already knew he was extremely powerful, but I also knew he was extremely evil. I didn't want to be anywhere near him. I said, finally finding my voice, "What if I don't want to go with you?" he smiled, that disgusting smile of his and licked his lips with that snake tongue of his, saying, "You don't have a choice, my boy." At that point he leaped for me and I woke up here. I had already forgotten some of past life. It all seemed like a dream. But then an image of my mother's smile came to me and I held onto that, refusing to fall into a lie. Her smile alone is what has kept me the same all these years. I was trained and now I can control my ability, but I will never forget where I came from, even if I forgot the village's name. I want to go back and help her, help my family. And I hold onto the hope that she's still alive. It's what keeps me going."

Sakura smiled warmly. He was like Naruto in a way. Holding on when everything seemed lost. "I really admire that, Omri. I have a friend that you would just love, even if you wanted to punch him every 5 minutes coz he won't stop telling you he's going to be the next Hokage."

Omri laughed. "I would like to meet him!"

"You two would hit it off for sure! His name is Naruto Uzamaki. He used to be in Team 7 along with me and Sasuke back in out genin days."

Omri's mouth gaped. "Sa-what? You were in a team with Uchiha-sama?"

Whoops!

So what, Sakura? You know you can trust Omri! What's the big deal anyway? Sasuke barely acknowledges your existence.

"Ha, yeah. I knew Sasuke back when he was a brooding boy intent on revenge. Back before he was…whatever he is now."

"Wow, that is crazy! No wonder you call him by his first name!"

Sakura laughed. "There is nothing that could make me call him Uchiha-sama! Nothing! He'll always be Sasuke to me, psychotic war-lord or not."

Omri laughed with her. "Wow, I cannot imagine him as anything other than what he is now."

Sakura smiled sadly. "Yeah, it came as a surprise to me. I thought he was dead."

"I don't understand. I didn't think he had any friends."

Sakura sighed. "He doesn't. He never let himself. I might as well tell you the story."

Sakura told him the entire story, from start to finish, even telling him about how she'd loved him and how he'd left her unconscious on a bench and walked away. She told him how she'd coped, how she'd piled on the workload for a distraction and how surprised she was when she saw him again. How she'd kept it together until she'd broken down on the field that day last week.

"So do you still love him?"

Sakura laughed bitterly. "I think it'd be impossible for me to stop, no matter what I did, and I've tried everything, trust me."

"That must suck."

"Like a pen up your ass."

Omri burst out laughing. "I'm sorry, like a what?"

Sakura blushed. "Oh…uh…I pick up weird expressions from the hospital. I got that one from a guy who sat down on a pen and got it stuck up his ass. It would have been funny if I wasn't the one who had to pull it out."

Omri shook his head, laughing. "Okay, so back to this Sasuke business."

"Oh, wow, Omri! You called him Sasuke!"

"Yeah, just don't tell him, okay? You know how I told you I can see auras, well, his is worse than Orochimaru's, though I must admit his has never been as evil as Orochimaru's. He may be way more powerful, but he's not evil. I can see that. Orochimaru's in a league of his own in that department." He looked at Sakura. "You've no idea how powerful he is, do you?"

"Well, I've had enough encounters with Orochimaru to know he isn't a ninja to be taken lightly. Our own former Hokage, Orochimaru's former sensei, couldn't even defeat him, even though he used the same jutsu the Fourth Hokage used to imprison the Nine-Tailed Fox. That's pretty powerful. And his former team mates, who are also S-rank, could not defeat him. The only guy who Orochimaru was ever afraid of was Itachi, and Sasuke defeated him, so I cannot even begin to comprehend how powerful Sasuke is."

"You've got that right! You've never seen him fight, either! It's incredible! He can fight at least 10 elite jounin at a time and defeat them with only his mind, though he doesn't do that often. He prefers to fight in the physical world. It's slightly more of a challenge that way, though still easy as breathing for him. He hasn't been wounded since his fight with Itachi two years ago."

"Two years ago!" He'd defeated Itachi when he was only 16? And two years ago! That must have been where he'd gotten the katana wound that she'd healed. Two years ago and he still hadn't returned to them. Pain washed over her afresh.

"Yeah, that's how he came over the curse mark too."

Sakura had been wondering why that wasn't there anymore. "How did he get over that? I was there when he was bitten. It was agony for him."

"You were there? Okay, well anyway, it was quite simple really. As soon as Sasuke's power surpassed Orochimaru's, Orochimaru found that he couldn't maintain his hold on him anymore. So he made it disappear. He didn't really have a choice. He would have died if he'd kept on trying to control Sasuke. Sasuke's power would have overwhelmed him. That's when Sasuke became the big boss, so to speak."

Sakura had no idea. This was insane. "So, um, how did Sasuke get so powerful anyway?"

Omri slapped his knee. "This is the coolest part! So Orochimaru had let Sasuke go for a year to search for his brother and kill him. If he hadn't found him in that time, he was to return to Orochimaru and would have to forget about his goal forever. Orochimaru's original plan was to never allow Sasuke to leave to kill his brother in the first place because if Sasuke could defeat Itachi, he could defeat Orochimaru. He knew that. He was planning to take his body before that, but as Orochimaru became busy with other things, he didn't notice how powerful Sasuke had been getting and when he was going to take his body, he found he couldn't. Sasuke wouldn't let him. So he needed Sasuke's consent. He'd never get it if he didn't let Sasuke kill his brother, so he had to let him go, risking the chance that Sasuke would fail and be killed, therefore leaving him without his body. He made sure Sasuke would come back if he succeeded by telling him that his body would be in such unbelievable agony from the curse mark, that'd he'd have to return to Sound or be in agony for as long as he lived. At that point, Orochimaru was fully able to do that and Sasuke knew it, so he agreed to come back if he succeeded, claiming he had no use for his life after that anyway."

Pain stabbed Sakura's chest and she found it hard to breathe. She tried not to let Omri see. "So…uh…um…didn't he…uh…care about…err…rebuilding is….eh…clan anymore?"

If Omri noticed her breathless tone he didn't say anything. "He said that his clan was cursed and he would not father any children that would have the same life as him."

Sakura clenched her eyes shut against the tears that threatened to fall down her face. Sasuke must be in unbearable pain if he thought that. Her heart hurt for him and it was almost too much.

"Are you okay, Sakura? Should I stop?"

Sakura wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and shook her head. "Keep going. I want to hear this."

Omri nodded. "Okay, so Sasuke went off to find Itachi. I don't know how long it took him to find him or what the fight was like. You'd have to ask him that yourself and I guess you understand why no one does. They'd probably get their head blown off. Anyway, he won, obviously. But something happened that not even Orochimaru could have predicted. It turns out Sasuke had learned a few more tricks about the Sharingan that no one had ever discovered. It turns out that if you are powerful enough, not only can you copy jutsus of any sort, but also power."

Sakura's head snapped to the side. "Copy power? But how does that work?"

Omri shrugged. "I suppose only Sasuke knows the answer to that, but I can make an educated guess. I think that because Itachi was also of the same bloodline, Sasuke somehow copied Itachi's power from Itachi's Sharingan with his or something weird like that. But like I said, I can only guess. All I know for sure is that when Sasuke came back, his aura was unlike anything I've ever seen! It was like he had two people's chakra and melded it into one. So perhaps he stole Itachi's chakra with his Sharingan. Whatever. All I know is that he had his own power, which had grown in the fight with Itachi anyway and also had Itachi's. And let's not forget Itachi had been more powerful than Orochimaru. And Sasuke now had both his power, which he had more of than Itachi, seeing as he'd beaten him in the first place, and also Itachi's, who was leagues ahead of Orochimaru in the first place. I don't think anyone else knows. They probably think he just got twice as powerful suddenly, but I know coz I could see it. The blue chakra is his, and the red is Itachi's. He hardly uses Itachi's chakra now. Actually, I don't think I've seen it since he came back those years ago. He might have to use it if he ever fought Orochimaru with his arms, but I don't doubt that he could take down this whole place, sustaining injuries of course, and we have some fearsome ninjas here. Orochimaru picks only those with promise or special abilities, like myself. But these days Sasuke doesn't need to use Itachi's chakra, and I have a theory that because Itachi's chakra was stolen, it won't replete itself. It's more like Sasuke's reserve chakra for times when he needs it. I don't know when that will be. Never, probably. And Sasuke can always get his chakra back. He's fearsome enough with his own!"

Sakura sat there with her mouth wide open. She didn't think she would be able to do anything else. It was just…incredible! This was the Sasuke she knew as a 12-year-old who used to bicker with Naruto about everything (even though Naruto always started it).

"That's crazy! And I thought Naruto was powerful!"

"So this Naruto friend of yours is strong?"

Sakura laughed. "Unbelievably so for such a dumb-ass. I probably shouldn't call him that. He's actually quite smart; he just talks like the village idiot. Well, he isthe village idiot, albeit the most powerful one. Has been since he was 12. He's the kid with the Nine-Tailed Fox in him."

Omri's eyes almost popped out of his head. "You're kidding! He's thatNaruto? Kami, Sakura! Some former team mates you have there!"

Sakura couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, a psychotic Uchiha warlord who could most possibly be the most powerful ninja ever who I happen to be irrevocably in love with and the Nine-Tailed Fox kid whose one goal in life is to be the next Hokage and can't seem to stop getting stronger. Naruto has more stamina than anyone I've ever met, including Sasuke, but I haven't seen Sasuke fight yet."

Omri shrugged. "I don't know how much endurance Sasuke has because ever time I've seen him fight he's never needed it. It's his opponents that need it."

"How do you so much about it anyway?"

Omri shrugged. "I was there the whole time. I used to sit in the council when I was Orochimaru's favorite. We're all a favorite some time or another. That just happened to be my time. I was observant and I don't forget things."

"So you were there when he came back?"

Omri nodded. "His power almost blew me away. Literally."

Sakura shook her head, still not quite able to comprehend what drastic changes her former team mates and gone through. "I'd love to see him fight Naruto because no matter how badly you beat Naruto, he won't give up. And when I say no matter what, I am dead serious. That's why I said he's a bit like you. He refuses to give up."

Omri smiled. "I think I like him already."

Sakura laughed again. "You haven't met him yet. He's still a 12-year-old brat in an 18-year-old's body, if you ask me. But I love him like a brother. Team 7 always did have a strange bond, one that other teams didn't seem to have. I guess because both Naruto and Sasuke had been through so much already…"

"And you were the innocent breath of fresh air."

"You make me sound interesting. I wasn't. I was the normal one. The weak one."

"Sakura, there is nothing wrong with normal and that strength you have is anything but normal. I bet Sasuke and Naruto envied your normality. They never had that. Naruto was shunned and Sasuke's normalcy died the day his clan did. Sure, they may be incredibly powerful, but at what price? I bet they would trade it for what you had any day. I guess the reason Sasuke always called you weak wasn't necessarily meant in the physical sense. He probably thought that you couldn't get powerful with a normal life. Like you didn't have the desire to be strong so you were weak. If that makes sense."

"It sort of does. I know what you're getting at anyway. But it was never easy. The lowest was when Naruto left too."

"But you came through that. You have just as much endurance as Naruto. That could not have been easy to handle."

Sakura sighed. "What ninja hasn'tgone through some horrible, life-altering experience?"

"I think it'd be fairly accurate to say pretty much every ninja has, but I think Naruto and Sasuke take the prize. I mean, having a demon inside of you? Having your own brother kill off your entire clan and having a vendetta to kill him when he's become the most powerful ninja around? It'd be hard to top that."

"I always thought Kakashi-sensei had some blood-curling past, but he's the most private man I know, even more so that Sasuke."

Omri shook his head. "I can't believe you had Hatake Kakashi as a sensei as well! He's legendary!"

"It's weird thinking of him like that. To me he'll always be Kakashi-sensei who fell for Naruto's stupid eraser-in-the-door stunt."

Omri shook his head again. "Though you may have suffered a lot of heart-ache, Sakura, you are truly one of the luckiest people I know. To be privileged to have such people as your friends and team mates.And you're the Hokage's apprentice! Almost as good as her!"

"Well, I guess when I think about it, there were a lot of good times mixed in with the bad." Sakura smiled wistfully as she remembered those days. "Even though our team never seemed to get along, we had moments when we worked together in perfect harmony and when it came down to it, we probably worked together better than any other team I knew of. We had bonds that could never be broken. I don't think even Sasuke could deny that. It's probably why he walked away. He was scared of it. I have a lot of friends in high places that are very dear to me, but I don't think Sasuke was ever one of them."

"Well, I don't know. I reckon he must have cared for you at least a little bit."

Sakura smiled sadly. "I didn't mean that. I meant that he could never be just a friend for me. It always had to be more. And he couldn't give that. It was doomed to fail before it even started. He left before it could start. I don't know if it would have even if he had stayed. Maybe. Who knows? I always thought that if I just became strong enough he'd notice me. I was foolish. I still am, holding onto a love that can never be reciprocated."

"How do you know?"

"What do you mean by that?" She asked sharply.

Omri shrugged. "I dunno. Before he walked away because of Itachi, right? But there is no Itachi anymore. What's stopping him now?"

Sakura laughed bitterly. "You don't know Sasuke like I do. He couldnever be interested in me."

"Why not?"

"Because he just can't! It's Sasuke!"

Omri shrugged. "He may be insanely powerful, but he's still a guy. A lot of guys are interested in you, Sakura, so why's he an exception?"

Sakura shook her head, not being able to believe it, but images of that night last week kept flashing in her mind. How he'd held her.

I didn't mean to make you cry…

How he'd said he was sorry.

But he couldn't. That was a one-off. He'd treated her like she wasn't even there after that.

"I know Sasuke. There's no way."

"But do you really know him? Does anyone? You may know how he works, what makes him tick, but do you know him?"

Sakura remained quiet. She didn't really, did she? Especially after all these years. They'd both changed so much. But no matter how much they'd changed, could something like that happen? Why was she even considering the possibility?

I never meant to make you cry…

Sakura told Omri what happened after she broke down on the training field last week. How she'd attacked Sasuke, first with her words and then with her fists and he'd just held her silently until she fell asleep. How she was sure he had shared the same bed because it smelt like him in the morning. How he'd gotten her breakfast. Then how he'd practically ignored her this past week, though he continued to do her washing. How she was still in his room all this time. How she didn't understand it.

Omri looked at her thoughtfully then turned forward and thought some more. Sakura waited anxiously to hear his opinion on the matter. It was so good to talk to someone about it for once. She was so used to keeping things about Sasuke to herself.

"Well, Sakura, you're sure did pick a complicated guy to fall in love with."

Sakura playfully slapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, I can't help it!"

"Ow!" Omri rubbed his shoulder. "Watch your power, woman!"

Sakura giggled. "So? What is your answer, oh great shrink?"

"Well, in all seriousness, Sakura, I can't believe that he doesn't care for you at least a little bit. I think you're getting confused because he is. He's confused about what he's feeling and therefore dealing with it the only way he knows how…walking away. He doesn't know what he's doing any more than you do. That's probably why he's stuck us two together. He's pushing you towards someone else so he doesn't have to deal with it."

Sakura thought carefully. She supposed it made sense in a way. It was still hard for her mind to grasp, but it was logical. It still sounded as though he was treating her as though she was just some thing, or just there. Maybe he just didn't know howto treat people in any other way. Maybe he was as scared as she was.

"But I couldn't guess how much he does care for you though, Sakura. Only he would know that."

Sakura frowned. "So what do I do?"

"Decide if you want to do something about it."

Her mind didn't want to, but her heart did. Her heart would probably turn to stone if she didn't. It was only meant for Sasuke. "And if I do?"

Omri smiled. "Don't let him push you away. Push back in the opposite direction. Don't let him take the easy way out. Make him confront you and confront his feelings, whatever they may be."

Fear gripped Sakura. She'd already lost so much. What if she failed again?

What have you got to lose?

Good point.

She was already nothing with Sasuke. The worst she could do was annoy him. At least this way she might find out what he really felt. And she didn't have to throw herself all over him like she used to. She could be nice.

"Okay, so any suggestions?"

"Show him that you love him."

Sakura nearly choked on her own saliva.

"Excuse me?"

Shecouldn't dothat! She'd already been rejected once! She was just going to be nice and let him go first and if he didn't, so be it. But she wasn't ready to put herself up for that kind of let down again.

What's worse, Sakura? Trying and failing or not trying at all and knowing it might have worked.

Another good point, but was she ready? Could she?

"I know it must be hard to do, but I think it'll pay off. Sasuke probably thinks that you hate his guts. I mean, even though you fell into his arms crying, you were crying because you were angryat him and just wouldn't let him go because you were reliving the events of the day he left. It was a subconscious reaction in part. I bet half the reason he's pushing you together with me is because he thinks you'd never be able to love him again, but if you show him that maybe you just do, it'll cause him to rethink everything he's already accepted to be fact. It'll cause him to question his actions! Sure, there's always the possibility that he'll do the same thing, but what really matters is the possibility that he'll act on it. I guarantee there's that possibility and youhave to decide whether it's worth it or not."

"I'll…have to think on it." The thought that Sasuke might actually have feelings for her, whether they be of friendship or otherwise (she didn't dare dream of what 'otherwise' might entail), was almost too much for her to digest, much less the thought of showing him that she loved him.

"Do that, but don't wait too long."

"Uh…um…what do you suggest if I decide not to?"

"Well, then you'd probably end up being with me, but you'd never be completely happy and neither would I, knowing your heart forever belongs to someone else."

Being with Omri didn't seem like such a bad thing, it's just that he was her friend. It was almost like being with Naruto.

EW EW EW! No freaking way!

"But do you really think you're going to choose that option, Sakura?"

"Do…do you…?"

Omri smiled sadly, "Given the chance I probably would, but I hardly know you. We're more like friends anyway."

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. She'd feel bad if he'd been in love with her. "I agree completely. And just so you know, if I'd never met Sasuke, I'd be more than happy to be with you."

Omri grinned. "The pleasure would all be mine, Sakura." He kissed her hand again, making her smile. "And besides, like your Sasuke so many years ago, I have some unfinished business myself. Sure, it may not be as huge as killing my own psychotic brother, but it is something I must do. You wouldn't like the Wind Country. You're too warm for that place; though I'm sure that smile of yours could light up the horizon." Sakura beamed at him. Omri sighed. "Just smile like that at Sasuke and I don't know how he'd be able to resist you."

"Thank you for everything, Omri. I seem to say that a lot."

"And I seem to always say thank you. You are my damsel in distress and no matter what happens to us in the future, you always will be. Any time you need help, Sakura."

This time Sakura thanked him by hugging him. They stayed there for a few seconds. Sakura sensed he wasn't telling her something, but she decided not to ask. He'd tell her if he wanted to.

When he pulled back he kissed her cheek and said "Good luck, fair Sakura."

---

"My Lord, a Kiru Omri is requesting an audience."

Sasuke grated his teeth as he sat sprawled out on the largest chair in the council room where he'd spent the majority of the afternoon.

What did he want? Why wasn't he with Sakura? They'd sure seemed cozy when he'd kissed her hand, making her blush yet again, and they'd hugged for what seemed like hours. It was to him anyway. He knew it was a bad idea to go check on her, but he couldn't help it. And that was the sight he'd been greeted with. It was a good thing they hadn't kissed because Omri wouldn't be alive to request an audience if they had.

But it was bound to come, wasn't it? That's why he'd put Sakura with him in the first place. He'd chosen this. He had to stick by it.

But the thought of her lips on his made him sick to his stomach.

"Let him enter."

He'd hear what the whelp had to say.

Omri walked in and Sasuke managed to maintain his bored expression to the point of perfection.

"My Lord." He said, bowing.

Sasuke merely nodded his head.

"I have come to ask a request of you, my Lord."

"I hardly doubt there is anything I can do for you." His tone was cold. Ice. He'd already done above and beyond what Omri deserved by giving him Sakura. What else could he want?

"I'd…I'd like to request to have someone else train with Sakura, my Lord."

Sasuke's eyes flew open in surprise. "Sakura?"

Omri nodded once. "Yes, my Lord."

What was he doing?

"Why?"

"Um…" Omri swallowed hard. Either he was afraid or this was really hard for him to say. For once, Sasuke didn't know which the case was. "I…I am afraid I have fallen in love with her, my Lord."

Sasuke's anger rose before he pushed it down. This had been his plan after all. "So why do you want her to train with someone else?"

Omri's eyes rose to his and stayed there. "Because her heart belongs to someone else."

Sasuke couldn't breathe.

"And what might you mean by that?"

Even though he was obviously afraid, Omri's eyes did not move from him. He had to admire the man's courage. This couldn't have been easy for him.

"I mean that she is unconditionally in love with someone else and nothing I could ever say or do would persuade her heart otherwise so I'd like to be removed from her presence. It is…too hard."

Sasuke just stared at him. He didn't think he could do anything else. How was he supposed to react to that? Did Omri mean him? That Sakura was in love with him? That didn't make sense.

But his heart soared at the possibility of it. That impossible possibility.

"Is that all?" He said after what seemed like an eternity. He needed to think about this alone.

"Yes, my Lord."

"You may leave."

Omri turned to leave. As he reached the door, Sasuke stopped him. "Wait!"

Omri turned expectantly.

"Where…where is she? Where is Sakura?"

"I returned her to her room, my Lord."

"Very good. Your request will be granted."

"Thank you, my Lord."

As soon as Omri exited, Sasuke leaned forward on the head chair and interlocked his fingers in thought. This was an interesting development. It was hard for him to believe that Sakura loved him still; after all he'd done to her. He'd have to find out for himself.

---

Sakura collapsed on the bed in a tired heap. She smelt the pillows, wishing Sasuke's scent was still on them.

Honestly, she didn't know what to do. Was it really worth the risk? Sure, she loved Sasuke past the point of distraction, but did that mean she had to do something about it? She'd lived without him before. She could do it again. This time she'd just forgo the sake and stop denying what she felt. It was possible. Sure, it'd hurt for every day she saw him and even more for every day she didn't, but she'd cross that bridge when she came to it. She could live without him. All he ever did was hurt her anyway. No doubt he'd end up doing it again. Her loved was doomed from the beginning.

On the other hand, what did she really have to lose if she showed him she loved him? She didn't have to blow it out of proportion like she'd done when she was 12, but she could show him in little things, like talking to him and refusing to let him ignore her, like Omri had suggested. Like smiling at him. Omri said that'd work.

But just say he did feel something, anything, for her, what then? What could possibly come out of that knowledge? Nothing, that's what. Wouldn't it hurt even more knowing that she could be with him but couldn't at the same time? He'd hurt her either way. At least she'd established that much. But if she risked it, she could be rejected. Though she was quite used to rejection by him. That wouldn't be anything new. But would it be opening old wounds again?

But she couldn't deny that she was insatiably curious. She could just imagine…

What am I thinking? I can't! It'll just be the same thing all over again. I did live through it once, but can I live through it twice?

Since when did you become such a coward!

Excuse me?

You're going to pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because you'rescared? And here I thought you were strong. My mistake.

But…but its Sasuke

Exactly! It's Sasuke

Sakura thought. And then she thought again. Then one more time.

I'll decide when he gets in.

So now all she had to do was wait.

---

Sasuke's heart pounded as he reached his door.

Sakura.

Was it possible that she loved him! Still? Even after all he did?

He shook all thoughts out of his head. He needed his mind to be clear if he was going to deal with this properly.

He opened the door to find Sakura curled up on the other side of the bed, asleep. The corner of his mouth lifted as his gaze drifted over her sleeping form. She was in her medic uniform. The white one that made her hair stand out. She was clutching the corner of the pillow tightly with one hand while the other one was stretched out across the rest of the bed.

She was beautiful.

He walked over to where she slept and looked at her. It was time to pay back all the times she'd stared at him while he was sleeping. He couldn't help himself.

He leaned over her and breathed in the scent of her hair. Wanting to touch it, he lightly put his hand on her hair and trailed his fingers down some strands hanging over her cheek. His fingers gently splayed out over her cheek as he took in her softness.

He shut his eyes and forced himself to breathe.

"How could someone like you ever love someone like me?" He whispered into her hair as he bent down to kiss her forehead.

He finally pulled back and sighed. She wasn't meant for him. She was too good and pure. He was nothing but darkness.

Thinking she'd get cold if she stayed above the covers, he gently picked her up, savoring the feel of her on him, and laid her back down as he pulled the covers over her. How he longed to share that bed with her, but he was forever doomed to sleep on the floor.