Author's Note:

If this chapter had a flavor, it'd be citrus. You've been forewarned of its deliciousness. ^_~

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The entire house lay restless. The idiot was not the only one who remained tormented by thoughts. At night, the worries of the day like to creep upon people, tormenting them so they have no sleep. The three friends were struggling because there is a balance to solving problems. You must think before you take action, but you cannot dwell for too long. Finding the ideal balance between thought and action haunts us all really.

Sasuke lay neither quite awake nor asleep. He drowned in his own musings, his body exhausted. He wished for the presence of a certain someone beside him, so that he may rest. If she were lying next to him, there would be nothing wrong really.

Except for the fact that their intertwined bodies may be a horrible fate for her.

Not for him, of course. He knew that sharing himself with her could only lead to a benefit for himself. He could only be healed by her. The true issue lay in what he could do to her.

His nature could corrupt her. Harm her.

His instincts were telling him to distance himself, act as if nothing had happened. He may have been back in Konoha, but that didn't mean he was free of his darkness. If anything, it ran more rampant within him daily. Each morning when he was awoke inside his empty home, his anger resurfaced. Even more deadly was the fact his inner darkness was repressed.

Repressed out of love. Not love for this wretched village. Love for two people.

Nothing, no matter how enraged he grew… he wouldn't separate himself from the sunny blonde and sweet girl ever again.

It was the true reason for his return. The true reason for not destroying the wicked village.

Naruto and Sakura naively believed his subsided anger was due from all those involved with the massacre being dead. They believed he had come to some sort of peace… Or perhaps they were nursing him to peace.

Despite the multiple threats he had made, he could never use his hands to murder Sakura or Naruto. However, he could harm them. Easily, his anger could manifest itself with Sakura. She would be burdened supremely for which she had no blame.

Which was why pursuing a relationship was completely wrong.

He wasn't going to pretend he was domesticated for her.

He didn't want to deal with his emotions. He wanted her on the outskirts. He probably would have kept her there, only he knew it was far too cruel to push her away now. He had resisted her at his front door, but sat sulking in bed that he hadn't kissed her and put her into his bed.

When his bedroom door opened, Sasuke jerked from his restless state. His eyes instantly flicked open from the screech of his door. Confused, he struggled to figure out why Sakura stood there. Certainly, he did not mind seeing her there, but he couldn't gather why she stood shyly at his door.

"Sakura?" he grunted, his voice hoarse. Their eyes met for a moment as she struggled to find something to say. She had been so zealous on confronting Sasuke that she had failed to come up with a plain.

"I couldn't sleep," She confessed, her voice creaking softly.

"Your apartment?" He asked, sitting up. Sakura frowned.

"Yeah," she lied. How pathetic. She should be freaking out over her ruined apartment, not Sasuke's dead ancestors or his apparent neglect. She promised herself not to make a habit out of lying to Sasuke, but telling him she was starting to believe Naruto's ghost stories would have been hideous. At the moment, she was also far too flustered to even ask him what was going on. Thankfully, he responded further for her.

"Mmm.." he mumbled softly. To her surprise, he lay back down and lifted the blankets away beside him.

"Come sleep with me," he hushed. Despite his entire day of brooding, he had come to no conclusions. He had vague ideas on what he should do, but no action was decided upon. This did not change, however, his desire to keep her near. "Lock the door."

He could also reason that his presence would most likely sooth her to sleep.

Her face flushed immediately, as she obeyed and eagerly padded her feet across the floor. Her mouth opened to speak, but she was unsure of what to say. Deciding not to over speak on the issue, she settled herself beside him, facing him.

The palm of his hand rested against her lower back, pushing her closer. Soon, she was nestled against his skin, tucked in perfectly. He exhaled softly into her ear, content with their new position. The tempest within him gone. Sakura would have been sighing dreamily as well, but Sasuke's exposed chest was right up against her cheek. Her mind travelled to dirty, wicked thoughts involving the Uchiha and how he would respond if she tried to request for pleasure.

She wondered if he'd cry out her name in his climax.

Blushing in mortification, Sakura firmly scolded herself for such corrupt thoughts. Especially when he was acting so chastely.

"Don't worry about your place," he murmured softly into her ear, his palm still at her backside. There, he began to rub at her tenderly. Her breath hitched. She knew he was trying to be affectionate, but she kept finding him arousing.

"Thanks, Sasuke-kun," she whispered quietly.

In his irritated state, the sound of her affectionate name contented him. While he did not smile entirely, the corners of his lips tugged upwards. He did not notice how his foul mood from debating with himself had all but completely vanished.

Meanwhile, Sakura tried to resist kissing his neck. Or slipping her hands below his waistband….

"I didn't wake you, did I?" She murmured softly against him. Her breath tickled his skin.

"Sleep wasn't good anyway," he responded, not caring towards her intrusion. His sentence was briefly interrupted by a particularly loud snore from Naruto down the hall. Sakura giggled at the burst of noise.

"At least he's sleeping easy," she smiled softly. "He was so worrisome before… I wonder how he finally relaxed."

"I drugged him," Sasuke answered bluntly with a shrug. Sakura's eyes instantly went wide with shock. Struggling to squirm out of Sasuke's embrace, she stared at him in complete confusion.

"Sasuke!" she reprimanded. He was displeased she sat on the other side of the bed.

"What? I was doing him a favor." His fingers edged closer to pull her back.

"No!" Sakura shook her head, swatting his hand away.. "No! No! You don't just drug people because they are going through a problem! You help them face the problem!"

"I can't fix his stupidity."

"So you just can't knock him out!" she scolded. "He had a stomach illness today! You can't just throw in some random medication with it!"

"He got a weird look in his eye. He needed some sleep."

Sakura frowned, giving Sasuke an analyzing look.

"Where did you get sleeping pills anyway?" she questioned, still thoroughly unhappy with his decision.

"Seems when I first returned to the village my pain pills always made me tired…." Sasuke answered with a pointed look. Sakura's judgmental face fell. She had forgotten that there was a period in her life where she was desperate to make Sasuke calm down and relax. It was completely unprofessional, but she had tricked Sasuke into calming down some. Giving in, her shoulders slumped in submission.

"I only did it with you…" she murmured guiltily. Until then, she believed that Sasuke had never discovered her secret to help his transition home. Knowing she wasn't going to win this argument, Sakura dropped the issue. Sasuke remained still, looking forward.

"I figured," he answered. When it came to him, Sakura tended to lose her level headed nature and act desperate.

Being someone's priority to the point of desperation was… nice.

She was probably the only person alive who acted as if he was a personal responsibility. Remembering his brooding issue from before, his face fell slightly. He leaned back, falling onto his back side.

Sakura remained sitting up, lost in her own thoughts. Having a brief moment of clarity, she looked down at Sasuke. He looked supremely bothered.

"Would you sleep better if I left?" she asked, a hint of shyness creeping into her voice.

He looked over at her. Yes, she was annoying him. She was annoying the hell out of him. She always annoyed the hell out of him. But for a new mysterious reason, he didn't want her to know she was always irritating.

He sure as hell didn't want her to leave his side.

"No," he answered. "Stay."

She leaned back, giving him a small smile. Her muscles remained coiled, not quite able to relax.

He began to stew in his own dilemma. Why was she so forgiving?

She obviously held no grudge against him. It was unwise, but she had forgiven him. Even when he had never asked for forgiveness. As far as his verbal communication went, she had no idea that his wrong doings towards her bothered him.

She was annoying because… she was always present. Always rubbing at him in a sense. She persisted into his thoughts constantly.

Naruto snored again, echoing in the room.

"I wish we could sleep like that," Sakura whispered longingly.

"No shit," Sasuke thought to himself. He remained quiet beside her. He watched her for a moment, as she finally lay back down completely.

Settled against his bed sheets, her pink hair fanning out against a pillow, she looked like she belonged. He didn't understand how something so bright looked so correct in such a melancholy place. He never wished she would remove herself from the spot. She needed to stay still.

Not oblivious to the strong gaze, Sakura looked up at Sasuke shyly. She was still unsure of the status of their relationship, but she was bothered that he hadn't kissed her in two days. Just as mortifying, he had only kissed for a single night.

"Sasuke?" she whispered, her voice timid. He watched as pink flushed lightly across her cheeks. "Kiss Goodnight?"

Nothing sounded more refreshing.

He nodded, leaning forward to cup her cheek. He pressed a warm, slow kiss firmly against her lips before withdrawing. Sakura's lips caught against his momentarily, reluctant to let him pull away. Knowing that he wouldn't be affectionate without meaning it, Sakura crept into his arms. She rested against his chest again, this time more content. His mouth dipped, resting against the crown of her head.

He never knew his bed was empty before. He never felt the need or the desire to share it with another. He hated touching, yet whenever she was near he was starting to make a habit of pulling her close. When she was close and acting affectionate, he found himself enjoying the touches.

He breathed in, his nose nestled atop of her hair. His own scent wafted up to him. He missed her usual smell, but at the same time was a little turned on that she smelled like him. Like she belonged to him.

Then, he knew.

"You need to stay," He ordered her, warm breath moving into her hair. His commanding, authoritative voice made her shiver with delight.

"Stay? In your bed?"

"With me."

Her face flushed wildly from the implications of the sentence. Her heart raced, making her blood pump madly. A tingling sensation over swept her.

"If you say things like that," she babbled hotly with fondness. "I might start to assume things."

"Good," he whispered softly into her hair. She shrugged from his grasp. Before she could move to kiss him, he spoke honestly. "I never treat you right…"

He trailed off, hoping she understood the rest of his sentence. His edge would never be completely dulled. He was going to try, however. This was something she had grown to accept long ago. To indicate her understanding, she nuzzled him gently.

"I know," she whispered seriously. "Even when things were the absolute worst.. I.."

Tilting her head upward, she made eye contact with two alluring, dark orbs.

"I've always…"

Interrupting her, he spoke.

"I know," he rasped. His fingers settled beneath her chin. His strong gaze spoke out to her. Immediately, she felt and knew his message.

He loved her too.

Forcefully, he pressed a strong kiss upon her. The passionate kiss tore at her mouth in all the right ways. His lips crushed against hers, his sliding against hers in a frenzy. He didn't know what had overcome him.

She whimpered from the kiss, but not in the least bit in resistance. She had never been kissed upon so roughly, so overpoweringly. Lost in the extremeness of it all, she began to lose to breath, panting slightly. He nibbled at her lower lip when she pulled away for air. His teeth scraping against her elicited a soft moan.

She gasped for air rapidly, quick to reunite with him for more. Why in the hell hadn't he done this sooner? Her needs had gone unmet for so long… but he was going to take care of that now. She starved for him.

She climbed atop of him, straddling his lap. She moved closer, trying to flatten space between them. Her chest collided against his, as his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Her needy fingers slipped into his hair, holding him close as he continued to devour her mouth.

When he nibbled on her lower lip again, she groaned. Her thighs clenched against him, squeezing her closer. He panted, the friction from her closeness causing heat to pool in his loins. Instinctively, his hips rubbed against her, causing her to flush over as well.

Her thighs squeezed again, crushing him just right.

His finger twitched against her waist. His chaste nature nowhere to be found. Moving, his fingers eased their way slowly up her shirt. His fingers gazed her waist, her skin warm and soft. He slowed a moment, gently rubbing at the area.

Touch me, Touch me, Touch me! A mantra echoed in Sakura's mind. His hot kisses were dizzying her with lust.

"Ohh… pleeease?" she whined, gasping. His eyes flickered, unsure of how things had gotten so boiling so rapidly.

Obviously, the two had chemistry. And they needed each other bad.

He gulped, growing more excited.

His fingers brushed up against her, easing towards the underside of her breasts. She moaned softly in approval, her head arching back. He cupped both of her breasts. She was full, more than a handful. Teasing her, he brushed his thumbs across her nipples. As she moaned again, he observed how soft and supple she was.

His thumbs moved in lazy circles, effectively driving her crazy. He watched her, somewhat sadistically as she whimpered with unease. Their foreheads pressed together, eye contact making the touches even more powerful. She kissed against his lips, whimpering how she wanted more.

"Take off your shirt," he ordered. He desperately wanted her bare, exposed. Obeying, she flung the wretched cloth off and across the room. He admired her, before deciding to end his slow torture. Feeling his heavy stare upon her, she gasped in satisfaction as his thumbs moved faster.

His thumbs continued around her nipples, causing her to lean back and gasp. Then sensation of it was powerful, almost too overwhelming. She panted aloud for air, unable to even moan out.

Her hips started rubbing again, searching for some kind of satisfaction. This only made the Uchiha smirk, his movements slowed to make her beg. He was slowly learning how much he liked to tease.

Soon after, she started to feed his ego with begging.

"More? More, Sasuke-kun?" she whimpered. He kissed down her neckline. Her hips bucked stronger, growing more and more needy with each kiss. She hissed with approval when he reached her collarbone, nibbling.

He was maddening, really.

Not about to let her grow restless, Sasuke smirked before lowering his mouth upon her left nipple. His hot tongue slid across the pink sweet spot, making her cry out. He was touching at her all the right ways, making her more urgent and lustful for attention. Her hip movements rubbed friction against the tip of his member, making him groan against her. She kept pressing harder.

Before he would lose his cool, he switched to the other side of her. Her hips bucked in a particularly hard, frenzied matter. Losing all control, he grabbed her ass and slammed her onto her back.

He was quick to get atop of her, looking at her intently.

Sakura's cheeks were flushed, hot from their foreplay. Green eyes were wide, shameless for him. She appeared to be taking him in as well. Her lips swollen red from several rough kisses. He had to groan when he continued to eye her up and down. Her nipples, pink and puckered, were moist from his saliva. She whimpered for more touching, sweating.

"Damn," he grunted. He probably would have stared her up and down a little longer, if she wouldn't have pulled at his hair for more kisses.

Many lonely nights he had wondered what it would be like to be with her. Never did he imagine that she'd pull on his hair. It was a raunchy surprise.

He growled in approval, drowning her in kisses again.

His fingers less shy this time, his slipped his hand into her pants. He rubbed at her clit, making her cry out again.

"You're so wet already," he whispered, feeling her. His fingers lowered, brushing against her entrance. Fondling her lightly, he made her gasp. How could nimble touches feel so agonizingly good?

Curious, her fingers slid down his chest at a slow, agonizing pace. His breath, uneven as he anticipated her actions. He remained still, never daring to interrupt her ministrations. Her slender fingers moved across his abs to the waistband of his pants. The sensation tickled and electrified him in unison. Dipping her hand below, she reached for his thick, hard member. He throbbed with arousal, heavy and hot. She could feel his pulsation, his needy urge for her touch.

Her hand clasped the length of him. She flicked her thumb across the tip, over and over again. He gasped from the hot, but unsatisfying sensation. Needing that none of her hand movements be restricted, he quickly kicked off both his pants and boxers.

The sight of Uchiha Sasuke completely naked took her breath away. He was gorgeous… the male embodiment of perfection. He was all muscle, angles, and flawlessness.

He moved his hips, reminding her he was needy for her touch. He was desperate to be toyed with. Not allowing him to go unsatisfied, Sakura started to stroke him in experimentation. Watching him hiss in approval, she found she rather liked him all hot and bothered. His hips pressed forward, urging her on.

After trying different pressures, she found one that seemed to really make him pant. She stroked him with strong, swift strokes. As his eyes lowered with lust, he began to breathe heavily.

"Sasuke-kun," she purred sexily. Admiring his sculpted figure, she spoke three hot words that would set him ablaze. "No more playing."

Tonight, they would not be fooling around. She wanted to make love entirely. Knowing that he was going to live his most wicked of fantasies, he let out a slow, rough growl.

His hands immediately went to work, seeing that she was undressed completely. He threw the pants she had borrowed from him across the room, unable to take his eyes off of her. He seriously had a staring problem, most likely induced by her slender, alluring form.

She pulled him by his hair again, demanding attention from his mouth. He leaned against her, kissing her sensually and slow. She whined against his mouth, needy for a rougher and hotter pace of action. He kept deliberate, taking his time thoroughly and completely seducing her.

He loomed above her, his arms positioned on either side of her face. Positioning himself, his hard length tapped against her moist folds. Liking the direction things were going, Sakura encouraged him with a hiss of yes.

He tapped against her again, teasing her. Toying with her patience. Making her beyond insane for him.

As if years of wanting him wasn't torture enough.

He looked up at Sakura through the dark overhang of his bangs. Her eyes half closed, needy, restless...

With a buck of his hips, he sunk into her slick heat. He smirked against her, his mouth muffling her cry with a kiss.

A shiver traveled down him, roughly. The sensation so overwhelming he almost lost himself on the spot. She was incredibly tight against him, squeezing him. He immediately began to groan.

She swallowed, moaning as he slowly withdrew himself only to slam against her again. He moved slowly at first, before thrusting in deeper. He buried himself inside her to the hilt. He stretched her, trying to resist boldly taking her in a frenzied, wild manner. His resistance was nearly shot. She whimpered again.

Damn, she made the most delicious of noises.

He was so good at making her squirm. Good but somewhat tender. She loved the roughness of it all. His pace remained slow, but obsessive. Uneven… enough to make her crazy.

With each thrust, he grunted. He rocked her back and forth, in and out. Overwhelmed, she gave needy cries, wrapping her legs around his hips. He sank deeper still, her core positioned now even closer against him. He thrust sharply, smirking as she screamed.

Her hips bucked uncontrollably, needy for a faster, less controlled pace. Effectively spurring him on, Sasuke returned each bucking with a thrust of equal fervor. He quickened his pace, pushing her harder against the bed.

In his ecstasy, he panted wildly, losing control of himself. His most primal of instincts burst from him, slamming her repeatedly. Her hips rocked, sensitive to each sensation of pleasure he induced. Her walls squeezed around him, exploiting his raw nature. As he endlessly kept hitting against her, wetness collected between them.

Sakura clung to his biceps, her fingernails leaving half moon shapes as she dung in with pleasure. Beneath him, she moaned consistently. His dipped his face into her neck, panting against her ear.

His arms groped her ass, pulling her hips up. Making everything hotter… more intense.

Her walls kept clenching, pumping him.

"More!" she gasped, so close. On the very edge of hitting bliss… she clenched tighter, alerting him so.

Her mouth fell open, hot gasps escaping her. Moving from her neck, he pressed a rough, strong kiss against her mouth. Passionately, bruising each other's lips with ferocity. Rasping, he pulled away looking into her.

"Sakura…" he grunted, a low guttural sound. Hearing him speak her name… his hot thrusting penetration… her tight, sweaty need… she was set over the edge. A throaty cry escaped her lips. Screaming, she came long and violently.

He kept ramming in, his cock forcing into her.

She shrieked out in orgasm. The sounds of her climaxing music to his ears… driving him to keep pounding percussively. He was nearly at his peak, almost entirely lost by the sheer sounds she was making.

The look on her face was almost enough too. Her cheeks flushed with passion, a slight sheen of moisture across her body.. Her cute mouth pouting from all he was doing to her. The sight was completely delectable.

"Sasuke-kun!" She cried, almost emphasizing the affectionate suffix. It was enough for him to lose it completely. The position was too hot, too intimate.. her cries to were too close to him, vibrating against his skin. The sensations of it all was overwhelming.

Spasms shot through him, shattering him with gratification.

He hit against her roughly, riding out his own hard release. He grunted, his breath becoming rigid pants. As his own hot, heavy peak fell into bliss, he let out a low growl of a groan. Sakura whimpered in response to the erotic sound.

Both their hips slowed, exhausted.

Her eyes fluttered open, looking upwards. He smiled at her, admiring how ironically innocent she looked. Especially considering what he had just done to her…what she had done to him.

He set his lips against her, kissing her thoroughly and breathlessly. Then, he removed himself and collapsed beside her.

It felt natural to lie beside her, naked. She looked perfect… all sweaty against him. Panting softly from exhaustion.. she looked like she belonged there.

"Come here," he murmured softly, pulling her into his arms. Instinctively, she cuddled against him. Soon, the skin of their bodies was entirely flush against each other. Except this time, they exchanged gentle affection instead of heated passion.

"If you do that every night," she whispered as she nuzzled her nose against his neck. "I promise to never leave."

The corners of his lips turned upwards, a ghost of a smile.

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Author's Note:

Oh my, we finally got there!

I really struggled with the speaking scene between Sasuke and Sakura. I know there'll be people who expected something more… or thought it was too much… but.. I just liked the way it felt. That's probably why this took so long to update. I really wanted the moment to be tender, but I also didn't want Sasuke to stop acting like himself in regards to his personality in the story. It was really an uphill battle.

Anyway, I'd love you hear a review saying what YOU thought.