Thank you!! I threw in some KakaSaku because I simply couldn't resist. I am extremely happy with this chapter (and I apologize for the disaster that was chapter 6).
I don't own Naruto.
Enjoy!
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Defense Mechanism
Chapter Seven
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"I've got to be honest, I think you know. We're covered in lies, and that's okay.
There's somewhere beyond this, I know. But I hope I can find the words to say.
Never again, no, no, never again…"
-
You lead Sasuke through the front doors of the hospital, and although he isn't showing it, you know he is wondering what you are planning. He doesn't speak though, you don't really expect him to anyway, and the silence allows you time to think. You want everything to work out between the three of you, really you do, but at the same time everything is moving so quickly. Sasuke's back, and you should be happy…but the residing anger is telling you that this time…maybe you shouldn't jump in with both feet. Let him work at your friendship this time—let him decide whether or not he really wants this.
You are not the same girl he knew when he was twelve, you do not wear your heart on your sleeve like you used to, but that doesn't mean the emotions you feel are any less intense. Your compassion has hurt you in the past…but this time, you are going to take things slowly.
And if you have to build a wall around you, so be it.
"Whatever you do," you say as your approach room 221, "never activate your Sharingan in front of him."
Although he doesn't give a verbal response, you can see him nod slightly out of the corner of your eye.
"Good Afternoon Kyou-kun," you greet walking through the door, "how are feeling today?" Sasuke's footsteps stop a few feet behind you.
"Okay. I had some bad dreams though…" His dark eyebrows scrunch together into a frown, and you can detect his quickened heartbeat. Whatever his dream was about (and you have a feeling you already know) it really scared him.
"Your usual nightmare?" Taking a step closer to the side of his bed, your hand meets his chest as you check for any abnormalities.
He nods his black head of hair. "Yes, except something different happened this time."
Your hand pauses momentarily, suddenly afraid of the possibilities. "What happened?"
He takes a deep breath. "This time, the man apologized."
Your entire body freezes, and your gaze snaps to Kyou's blue eyes. From his expression, you know that he is truthful.
"The man apologized to you?" You ask quietly, and it takes significant effort to mask the tightening of your throat.
"Yes, Sakura-sama," Kyou says, and his eyes begin to glisten with tears.
"What did you say to him?" You ask quickly, your own eyes beginning to burn slightly. You ignore Sasuke's almost awkward shuffling behind you.
"I forgave him," he says as if it's the simplest thing in the world, and your lips tighten into a line to keep them from trembling.
"Did I do the right thing?"
(Of course he did the right thing. Because he is a child and he is not jaded yet.
And you pray to whoever's listening that they spare this child from more heartache. Because you've seen what tragedy can do to people, and you can only hope he doesn't end up the same)
All you can do is nod as you step back and grab his chart. "Yes, you did the right thing."
"Good," he grins, showing two missing teeth. "Because the only way I can accomplish my dream is to forgive this man."
Your hand pauses on his file, remembering Naruto's similar words.
"Your dream?" You try to smile to lighten up the mood. "You never told me you have a goal. What is it?"
"To be good enough to go to heaven and see my family again."
Despite your hope that your quick intake of breath wasn't audible, you know Sasuke could hear it. Kyou's smiling; your hands are trembling, and if you had been paying attention, you would have seen Sasuke's slightly widened eyes.
"Kyoutoshi," you begin, remembering your manners. "I'd like you to meet my—er—well, this is Sasuke." You gesture behind you, watching the odd expression on Kyou's nine-year-old face, praying it's not an expression of recognition.
"Sasuke," his name still sounds familiar on your tongue and you don't really know why, "this is Kyoutoshi." Sasuke nods minutely at Kyou, then immediately pins you with his piercing gaze.
Kyou's eyes travel from Sasuke back to you, and you force a smile on your face and clear your throat slightly.
"Let's take a look at those ribs of yours, shall we?"
-
"Why is he in the hospital?" Sasuke asks the moment you close the door behind you.
"His family was killed about a year ago by a missing-nin. Their bodies haven't been found yet. Kyou was severely injured and only woke up a few weeks ago. He suffers from occasional short-term memory loss, but I think he will make a full recovery in the future," you say, leaving the most vital piece of information out, wondering whether Sasuke will catch your lie.
And if he does, you don't know whether or not you want him to know the truth.
"Aa."
You walk down this particular hallway, wanting to see one more person before you leave.
You hold the door open to let Sasuke walk inside. His brow is raised, but you know that he will not ask.
"Good afternoon, Haruno-san, how are you feeling today?" And you can feel Sasuke stiffen beside you.
Your eyes land on the pink hair and bright face of your mother, who hasn't recognized you in over three years and probably never will.
"Ah. Sakura-san, I'm feeling well today, and yourself?"
"Very good," you say, and it never surprises you how hard it is to smile even after all this time.
"My daughter is coming to visit me later. Will you let me go for a walk?"
This time, Sasuke cannot hold back his shock as his head swiftly turns to you.
"Of course." Your smile is strained. "I would like you to meet my teammate, Sasuke."
She extends her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Sas—as in Uchiha Sasuke?" She asks, her eyes now wide. With a slight look of fear, her eyes slowly move to yours, not waiting for Sasuke to answer.
"My daughter's teammate's name was Sasuke…Sakura?" She whispers, and the recognition in her eyes cannot be missed. Her arms are shaking as she draws you into a hug, and even though her memory comes back often, it does not stop the overwhelming sense of loss you feel that she has such extreme memory loss at such a young age.
But then again, the damage her brain suffered was not a natural occurrence. It was a result of that mission.
So you take a deep breath and hug her back, hoping that this will be the time that her memory comes back permanently. And maybe things will return to the way they were.
But when she pulls back and her eyes are confused, you cannot stop the feeling of hatred towards the man who did this to her.
"What are you doing, Sakura-san?" She asks you, cocking her head slightly.
You force a smile on your face and say,
"Checking your breathing."
-
"What happened to her?" He asks, and it surprises you that he says anything at all.
"She was on a mission to try and capture a missing-nin when she was hit in the head with a sword. There was severe brain damage, resulting in memory loss. She's lucid for a while…and then nothing," you say sadly, your grief momentarily overpowering your anger.
"Did she capture him?" He asks, again pinning you with his gaze for some reason you have yet to understand.
You look at him, wondering whether or not to tell him the truth, and there is sadness in his eye that you had never seen before…a look that tells you that maybe he is starting to piece it all together.
"No. When reinforcements found her…her entire team had been killed. But for some reason, she was left alive."
(You have your suspicions as to why he left her alive. And even though you think it's because of her pink hair, you don't want to believe it. Because that would mean you are worth something more to him than he lets on. And it's easier to see him as a cold-blooded killer rather than the man who continues to hurt you)
Your medic abilities tell you that Sasuke's breathing and heart rate increase as he walks next to you, and it's right then that you know he is beginning to understand.
"Do you know who she went after?" He asks quietly, and you wish he would act cold and uncaring, because that's easier to handle than guilt.
You stop walking and turn to face him, unsure as to why there are suddenly tears reflecting in your eyes.
(Because it hurts. Everything hurts.
And because you can't handle this anymore)
But you don't let them fall.
"Yes," you say softly, hearing your own voice crack.
His brow furrows slightly, and for a moment, you think he is going to say something.
(And you hope he doesn't apologize, because you know he wouldn't mean it if he did)
"And your father?" He asks, trying to be cold, but failing horribly. You can tell his doesn't want the answer.
But the tears do fall this time, no matter how hard you try to stop them, because the boy you love is the one who took away your family. And damn what the hell is wrong with you?
Despite the fact that your lips are trembling with sorrow, you tell him the truth.
"He was one of her teammates," you mutter, and if there was ever a time in your life where you deserved some type of emotional reaction from Sasuke, this is it.
For a few moments, he has the decency to look as horrified and shocked as you've ever seen.
(Because he's taken away your family—something he had been chasing to kill his entire life. And maybe he swore he would never do that to another person, and maybe he didn't mean for their battle to escalate to death, and of course he didn't realize who they were, but what does it matter? How many other families did he kill? How many people's lives has he ruined?
All for the sake of killing the man who took away his family)
But the emotion leaves his face quickly, replaced again by apathy, and you know that he realizes the reasons for your actions.
But will he ever admit anything?
He is holding your gaze intensely, and while you can't be sure, you can imagine the battle going on inside of him. A caw of a crow reaches your ears then, and you almost miss it, too busy wondering what he is thinking.
"Hokage-sama wants us," you mutter, "let's go."
(No, he won't. Not now, not ever)
-
"I can't protect you there," is the first thing you hear Tsunade say from inside her office.
"…Can you protect me here?" Naruto is saying angrily, "Or just hide me?"
Shizune opens the door, knowing the Hokage is expecting you. You and Sasuke step into the office to see Tsunade sitting behind her desk and Naruto leaning forward against it, his knuckles white.
Tsunade was silent for a long moment, considering his words.
"If Akatsuki gets word of your location, as I am sure it will get out, you will need to come back immediately."
"Fine."
"Naruto," she says quietly, standing up and taking a step forward, "I'm sure I don't need to explain to you what would happen if they got their hands on Kyuubi—"
"I know, I know, the whole world would—"
"No," she said sternly, putting a hand in his shoulder, "you'd die."
Naruto is silent for a few moments, and it is obvious to you what he is thinking. That was perhaps the first time anyone had admitted out loud that maybe it's Naruto's safety that is what matters. You knew it, Kakashi knew it, but it was Tsunade who said it aloud.
He would die. Yes, Akatsuki would get the Kyuubi, but the shinobi nations would find the power to stop them—but nothing would ever bring Naruto back.
"Screw the council. They will say that keeping you from Akatsuki would protect the village, but to me, it has nothing to do with Kyuubi. You'd die," she said again, waiting for his reaction. "That's the only thing that matters. Your personal safety is important because I know what you will do when it comes time for you to take over.
"And I know that you would never let anything happen to this village."
Naruto's stands up straight and lets his arms fall to his side. For a brief moment, it looks like he is debating hugging her, "you have my word, baa-chan."
"Good." She smiles softly, a rare smile that you have only seen a handful of times before. "Oh, and for the record..."
Her eyes dart to you, and you watch her expectantly.
"It was a good choice." There is pride in her voice, and you can't help the smile that forms on your face, knowing you have her approval.
"On the other hand," she begins, her smile vanishing. "It's not in your best interests to test me, Uchiha. If I get word of any wrong doing on your part, you will be a very sorry boy indeed."
Apparently learning from his mistakes yesterday, Sasuke nods. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade looks stunned for a brief moment at his politeness before catching herself.
"I expect you to check in every month. I will see you in a year. Good luck."
"Hai!"
-
You immediately stop packing clothes when you feel a breeze coming from the now open window. Flinging a kunai, you turn in time to see Kakashi ducking out of the way.
"Sakura," he clicks his tongue, "why are you trying to kill your poor sensei? My heart can't take those kinds of surprises anymore…"
You roll your eyes, "what are you doing here Kakashi?"
He takes a deep breath as you return to your packing.
"He's not the same person you knew all those years ago, Sakura, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that, but I feel like I have a responsibility to say it out loud."
You sigh softly and drop your arms to your sides. "I know, Kakashi, and you don't have to say it out loud. I know he's different…"
You feel his hand on your shoulder and he tugs slightly, asking you to turn and face him.
"That's not exactly what I mean…"
You cock your head slightly. "Okay…?"
His visible eye watches yours for a moment before his gaze drops to the hand still on your shoulder. You can feel him fingering your hair slightly, and you know that he is stalling.
"Do you still love him?" He asks without looking at you.
You can feel your eyes widen. "What? How can you ask me that?"
His hand drops off of your shoulder and he looks up again. "How can I not? It's a viable question."
Scoffing, you pull back slightly. "It's not really much of your business is it?"
He is still close enough that you can hear him sigh quietly through his nose. "I'm not trying to pry into your personal life, Sakura, but I'm trying to figure out how to word what I want to say, and it would be easier if I knew how you felt."
You run your hand through your hair. "I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to help. And as much as I don't want to admit it, his return has made me more…emotional." Your eyes dart over his shoulder.
"More emotional than usual?"
Your eyes meet his lone eye, and it's crinkling. Punching him in the arm slightly, you admit the truth.
"Honestly, Kakashi, I don't really know what I feel anymore. Is it possible to love someone who doesn't see you as any more than one of the teammates he had before he picked up and left six years ago?"
He shrugs, still waiting for your direct answer.
"No, I don't I love him. But yes, falling in love with him again is certainly possible." You smile sadly.
Your eyes drift to his mask-covered mouth, and you can see he opens it, closes it, and opens it again.
"I just want you and Naruto to be careful. I know you will be safe with Naruto around, and I know that he would fight to the death for you…but everyone's emotions run amok when Sasuke is involved."
"…"
"Just—be careful."
You nod, somewhat touched that Kakashi is concerned for you.
"I will."
He reaches out, and for a moment you're not sure whether he is going to put his hand on your arm or ruffle your hair, but he seems to think better of it and lets his hand drop to his side.
"…I never thought I would live long enough to see him come back," he says quietly, looking down, and this time it is you who reaches out and touches his bicep.
"What are you talking about?"
He looks back up at you after a moment of silence. "…Nothing. Never mind."
(And something strange hits you then as you watch him smile through his mask—maybe his mask is worn for protection. But not from prying eyes, or enemies…but from friends and family.
To protect himself from loving. To protect himself from feeling)
"Kakashi," you take a step forward, hand remaining on his arm, "I don't ever want to hear you say anything about your death again. I don't know what happened in your past, but after all these years, I've begun to think you are looking at life the wrong way."
He chuckles. "Looking at life the wrong way? Really?" he asks somewhat sarcastically.
"Yes. You view the time we spent training under you as another one of your failures. You view Sasuke as one of your failures." You pause, wondering if he will interject, but when he doesn't, you continue. "When you should be viewing us as one of your successes. Look how we've turned out. We're the next generation of Sannin, and you've trained a future Hokage, an Uchiha and the Hokage's apprentice. We're not your failures…we're your redemption."
Something passes through his eye. "Redemption, eh?"
"Yep."
"What makes you think I need redemption?"
You laugh softly. "I don't think you need it. You think you need it."
"…You're perceptive," he says after a pause, "always were…"
"Another success," you say grinning.
"Hm…you're too good for him, you know."
You smile broadly because it is times likes these that you realize just how lucky you are to have this man in your life. "I know."
Kakashi chuckles, and proceeds to do something he has never done before. With his mask still on, you watch him bend forward and softly kiss your forehead.
"Thank you, Sakura," he says quietly before pulling away.
(And you know he's thanking you for everything: what you just said, what you believe, how you feel about each other.
The faith you have in him)
"When did you start viewing me as more than a teammate?" You ask as he approaches the window.
He stops and turns, his eye already crinkled.
"The day you earned my respect, Sakura. The day you became a friend."
XXXXX
It's before dawn when you make your way to the gates. Naruto and Sasuke haven't arrived yet, but you can see someone standing there, waiting.
"Kakashi? What are you doing here?"
He is leaning against the white gates, his book nowhere in sight. "Oh nothing," he says innocently, "I just wanted to talk with the other half of Team 7 before you leave."
As if on cue, Naruto and Sasuke approach the gates, one with a broad grin and the other with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Morning, boys," Kakashi says in a forced tone, "Sakura, please excuse us for a moment."
"Sure," you say uncertainly, watching Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke walk away. You can see Kakashi saying something, mainly to Sasuke, and Naruto looks confused for a moment, before his face turns stern and he too joins the conversation.
Oh.
Sighing, you feel badly for Sasuke for about a half second before straining to hear what they are saying.
"Touch her, look at her the wrong way, speak to her, or make her cry, I swear to God I'll make the rest of your life fucking hell. Do you understand me?"
Although Sasuke looks unperturbed on the exterior, you can't help but smile as you watch him swallow.
The three of them walk back over a few minutes later, and you have to swallow a peal of laughter when you notice how far Sasuke is standing from Kakashi.
"Remember what I told you, Sakura," he says seriously.
"Hai."
"Don't be surprised if I decide to—" his looks at Sasuke "—drop by from time to time to make sure things are going smoothly."
"I look forward to it, sensei, one year is a long time."
"Too long, dear Sakura, too long," he sighs dramatically. "Well on my way here, I met a lovely young girl who asked me to teach her about—"
"At five in the morning? What was she doing outside I wonder?" You ask, feigning concern.
"Probably something perfectly respectable and legal. Anyway, I told her to wait at my apartment. Good luck kids, try not to kill each other." And he disappears in a wisp of smoke.
Still smiling, you turn to Naruto's shocked expression and Sasuke's annoyed scowl.
"What?"
Naruto shrugs, smirking slightly. "Nothing, dear Sakura, nothing at all."
"Shut up, Naruto. He was just being—"
"Friendly? Is he usually that comfortable around you, Sakura? Does he like it when you call him sensei? Ow!"
"That's what you get, idiot, and I am definitely not healing that bruise. Let's go."
And with Sasuke falling in line behind you and Naruto, you set off on the first mission you've been on together in over six years.
-
It was a few hours after dark, and after tiredly pleading with Naruto to stop for the night, you find yourself out collecting firewood.
Naruto's voice can be heard from a few feet away, and you figure that he is speaking to Sasuke, who is around here somewhere checking the border of the campsite.
"Are you almost done?" Sasuke snaps when he steps in front of you, suddenly annoyed for some reason.
"Am I not going quickly enough for you?" You ask not looking at him, taking a mock bow. "Please excuse me, Uchiha-sama."
"Don't do that," he says angrily.
You sigh exasperatedly and look up this time.
(And conveniently try to ignore how gorgeous he looks in the moonlight)
"Go away and stop bothering me."
He doesn't move. "…Since when do I bother you?"
It takes significant self-control to refrain from throwing the wood in your arms at his head. "For someone who complains about me being annoying, you should take a long hard look in a mirror."
"Hn."
You snort. "Good answer. Why don't you just leave me alone? You've never had a problem leaving in the past." You seem to be getting angrier by the second, and it takes a few moments to realize that it's not anger—it's hurt.
"Are you going to bring that up every time we speak to each other?"
"Probably. I'll stop when I think you you've gotten it through your thick skull that the world doesn't revolve around Uchiha Sasuke."
His eyes narrow, and on your peripheral vision, you can see Naruto standing on the edge of your makeshift campground.
"Maybe I'll stop when I think you're sorry. Maybe when you think we've suffered enough, you'll finally apologize and try to be happy."
"I am happy," he replies automatically.
You laugh loudly and raise a brow. "You wouldn't know happiness if it slapped you in the face."
"And you do?" You can almost hear the frustration in his voice despite the smirk on his face.
"What are you so afraid of?" You ask incredulously.
"Stop doing this, Sakura. It's my life, not yours."
You shrug and turn to walk away.
"Then live it."
-
Naruto was trying hard to make the time you spent together less awkward than it already was. But of course, that led to him being the only one to speak.
"I'll take first watch," you say suddenly, wanting nothing more than to be by yourself.
Naruto watches you stand up before shooting Sasuke a glare.
"Ok, Sakura-chan. Night."
"Night Naruto." You drink the last of your tea before setting it down on a nearby log. Walking up a tree, you find yourself a low branch, but you can still hear the whispered conversation going on below.
"You can at least try, teme!"
Sasuke whispers something you can't hear.
"Well try harder!"
Ignoring them, you look upwards for your favorite nighttime activity: watching the stars.
-
"My turn," a voice suddenly stirs you from your thoughts.
"I still have three hours left."
"Go to sleep, Sakura."
Sighing, you get up, completely ignoring Sasuke and move to walk past him. He is standing where the branch meets the trunk of the tree, not moving to let you pass.
"I know you probably don't care either way, but if I'm about to be killed, a little notice would be nice."
Sasuke's eyes narrow. "I told Naruto I would keep you safe."
Scoffing, you raise your brow. "Since when does your word mean anything? Move, please," you say in a forced tone.
Sasuke disappears before you can blink, and your vision wavers as your head slams into the trunk of the tree.
"Don't talk about what you don't understand, Sakura, you know nothing of the oaths I do and do not honor. I never lied to you."
A loud cracking noise reverberates into the forest as your fist meets his jaw.
"Don't you dare talk to me about honor when you don't have the slightest clue what the word means."
He pushes himself off the forest floor as you jump down after him. Looking up at you, you can see his Sharingan activate.
"I don't owe you anything. So if you think I do," he is close to you now, a trickle of blood running down the side of his mouth, "fuck off."
With his Sharingan, you know he can see it coming.
You punch him with your left hand this time, hitting the other side of his face.
"You better goddamn believe you owe me something, Sasuke. You owe me—you owe us—more than you will ever be able to repay in a lifetime."
His head slowly turns back in your direction, his cheek cut from a ring on your hand.
Why is he not fighting back?
"Hit me."
He is silent for a moment, and you wonder if he really wants to, "I'm not going to—"
"Go ahead. I know you want to. Hit me."
"You're not worth the effort—"
Crack
You punch him in the side this time, the sound of his ribs cracking in the cool night air.
But still—he doesn't move to strike you. He clutches his side and bends forward slightly in pain, and when he looks up at you, there is no desire to fight in his eyes.
Why is there a tear falling down your cheek?
"Hit me."
Another tear.
Sasuke stands upright, wincing slightly.
"I'm not going to—"
Crack
His head whips to the left.
"Hit me, goddamn it."
You watch as he spits blood into the dirt and slowly meets your eyes. He lets the Sharingan fade deliberately into onyx, and he takes a step closer to you.
Crack
It's a tree branch breaking this time as he sails backwards from the force of your kick. You are breathing heavily now, your breath white fog in the chilly air, and your fists are clenched.
(What are you doing?)
He stands upright, struggling slightly, and from his wheezes, you can tell that you've broken a few of his ribs as well as possibly his sternum.
You fist his shirt in your hand as you lift him in the air against a tree.
(Pain, pain, pain. I want him to feel as much pain as—)
"Hit me you fucking coward." Only your voice isn't as strong as you want it to be, the tears running down your cheeks audible in the shakiness of your breathing.
(—me.)
He is watching you, and you can see that his jaw is twitching slightly, as if trying to hold something in.
"No," he says quietly.
(He doesn't know what it's like to watch the person you love walk away)
"Goddamn it!" You yell and let him go, watching as he slumps unceremoniously onto the forest floor.
(He doesn't know what it's like to watch someone you love willingly give everything up)
"Why?" Your voice cracks again.
He doesn't answer.
"Answer me, Sasuke!" Why does you chest hurt so much? Why do you feel like screaming and crying, hitting something and hugging him all at the same time?
(—to chose. To chose to leave and never look back)
"…You don't love me anymore," he groans out after a long silence, one of his hands resting against the tree.
You snort. "I never loved you to begin with."
(Liar)
His eyes narrow.
"Answer me."
"…"
"Why won't you fight me?"
His mouth remains shut.
"Why did you come back?" Why are you whispering? Why are you crying?
Why are you so fucking weak when it comes to the boy standing in front of you?
"Why won't you answer me?"
(He doesn't know what it's like to watch the person you love be willing to exchange that love for hate,
So easily…like it doesn't mean anything)
"…Because you're not ready for the answers," he says simply.
Those seven words knock the air clean out of your lungs. "What the fuck does that mean?"
(Whywhywhywhy?)
"Go to sleep, Sakura," he says, beginning to make his way up a tree.
"I want to fight you."
(He doesn't know what it's like to watch the person you love walk away without a second glance, to watch the person you love try to kill a precious person without a second thought)
"…I know."
(He doesn't know what it's like to watch the person you love be so unhappy—to know there's nothing you can do to change it. He doesn't know what it's like to know that you couldn't make them stay)
Seeing you're not getting anywhere, you turn around and mutter under your breath, hoping he can hear you, "I'm not ready for the answers? Bit rich coming from the one who wouldn't listen to anyone but Ita—"
(—couldn't make them see—)
"I don't expect things to be different."
"Good," you snap over your shoulder, "because they won't be."
(Not until you see—)
"Hn," he grunts, and you can feel his eyes on you the entire time you walk to your sleep roll.
(Different. How can things be different? He's still the boy who can't let it go, your still the girl who loves him and who wants him to acknowledge your power.
And one day, you will make him acknowledge you, one day you are going to have to fight it out—
And you will win)
But maybe you already did—maybe you won this round.
You slip underneath the blankets, wondering why you are still crying. Aren't you over this already?
Your eyes drift upward in Sasuke's direction, but you look away quickly, and it is then that you realize you can't hear Naruto's snores. You turn on your other side, facing Naruto this time, and his eyes are wide open.
And wet.
Something passes between the two of you then, a connection—a bond of pain, perhaps. Because he knows exactly what you are feeling, and he is scarred, too.
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan," he whispers, and memories flash in your mind. All the times Naruto apologized—all the times he said he was sorry and really meant it—were all in reference to Sasuke.
And then you realize just how much you have changed for him. All those nights you cried, all those times you were angry, scared, depressed, hurt—all those times you lost control had to do with the ex missing-nin sitting twenty yards away from you.
How many things did you have to give up? How many things did you miss out on because you were too concentrated on Sasuke? How different are you because of him?
Have you changed for the worse? For the better?
You move closer to Naruto, reaching to find his hand underneath the blankets. When your cold hand finds his warm one, you wonder if maybe we all change those around us.
Naruto raises your interlinked hands and kisses your fingers. Squeezing it reassuringly, your close your eyes, drifting off to sleep knowing that it doesn't really matter who has changed you.
Because in the end, only you have the power to decide whether or not you will let that change define who you are.
OOOOO
An extra long chapter to make up for the long wait you are all about to endure.
I hope you can start to see what I am doing with Sakura…
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. If you like my story, reviews are sincerely appreciated.
Until next time!
Song: You're a God—Vertical Horizon
