Authors Note: Hey everyone! Hope you liked my previous chapter (9), I worked hard to try and describe the fight ;A; gah. It was a more intense part for me, too haha. But I didn't want to continue the story without its hardships and dangers, and so on. Now, I hope you like this chapter! Please, R&R (;u ; )!~~

Chapter 10

Later that day in the afternoon, Sasuke woke up. Sakura was still on his lap. He soon realized she was awake, clutching onto her bag, her back facing him. He searched his mind to find something to say, but he doubt his harsh tongue would do any good. So he decided to remain silent, and patiently wait for her.

So many things were flooding Sakura's mind. How terrified she felt...reminded her of so many close calls from the past. And that was the problem... There were too many close calls in which she found herself in danger, her life at stake... She hated that fact about her, how no matter how hard she worked to be a great ninja to the best of her ability, this is what she amounted to every time. And it sickened her. And to lose herself in fear like that in front of Sasuke... She felt so ashamed... She didn't know how to face him.

She wish last night never happened. Her victory was so fleeting. She never won to begin with. She lost. Like always.

Sasuke was lost in thought about last night. All that rang in his mind was Sakura's screams... They haunted him, as he was sure they haunted her, too. Hearing something like that from someone...who is a friend... It took him back to that horrible night, the night he lost his clan. It reminded him of all his horrible nightmares... He never ever wants to experience something like that again. When he thought he was going to lose her, right in front of him, he couldn't stand the mere thought. He swelled up with familiar pain and anger. It was horrible.

As he continued in thought, he unconsciously placed his hand on her shoulder firmly. All that was on his mind was that something horrible almost happened to her. It sickened him. He's so grateful that he was able to stop that man in time. The way that man Muta moaned on Sakura, grinning the way he did... The memory of it tore in a new type of anger inside him he never experienced before. It made him so angry, made him disgusted, he couldn't stand it. He still can't. He never wants to experience this again. It was...terrible.

Sakura felt his hand firmly grasp her shoulder, making her jump slightly. She didn't know Sasuke was awake. She was so deep in thought, she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings. She slowly got up, wrapping herself tightly in her cloak. She wish she could just stick her head in the ground and never come out. Sasuke watched her, still unsure of what to say. The only thing that came out was,

"Sakura... Are you alright?"

Sakura pressed the palm of her hand firmly against her forehead, feeling warm, wet, tears slide down her face. She couldn't speak. She was so overwhelmed about last night, it was so terrible...

Sasuke furrowed his brows, taking a deep breath. He reach into his bag, pulling out some rice cakes he earned at the village. He gently nudged Sakura, showing her what he was offering. She wiped her tears, taking one from him. Eating it and weeping silently. She must look terrible to Sasuke. She probably seems like a cry baby, and this mess she got herself in... She felt so much pain tug at her heartstrings. She couldn't hold back the tears. The pain, emotionally and physically, is just too much.

Sasuke watched her, looking at her bruised neck that formed overnight. He turned away. He felt this different type of anger swell up again. He wish he could kill that horrible, ugly, man over and over. To make him pay...

He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. If only she didn't let her guard down... If only he reached her fast enough to prevent it. Just... Ugh!

An hour passed, until finally Sasuke couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up and offered his hand to Sakura. Sakura looked up at him, and slowly rasied her hand in his. He helped her up,

"Let's reach the next village to rest... Right now it's better to keep moving," Sakura nodded quietly in agreement. She slung her bag over her and readjusted her cloak and clothes. Sasuke reached into his bag pulling out a long scarf,

"Also, wear this... Otherwise people will stare at your bruises..." He looked away as she put it on without arguing. She was disgusted at the fact she had bruises from last night. How awful... She wrapped the scarf around her neck, right and snug... She trusted him.

With that, they continued on, finding themselves a lot closer to the next village than they thought. It took them two days to reach it. Within those two days, they've both remained silent. Neither of them could bring themselves to speak.

As they arrived, they immediately searched for an Inn to get some rest. They still felt weary since their last battle. When they came around and bought a room for the night, the only room available was a room with a full bed. Sasuke sighed as they entered the room. Sakura was still...out of it. He could tell she was still...in pain. She hasn't said a word at all. He thought she'd blush when she'd see the full bed but not at all. She is merely looking passed it. At the wall, lost in her thoughts.

He put down his things and Sakura did the same. Sasuke told her to use the restroom first, to freshen up, to relax. She needed it more than him. This experience was...traumatic for her. Sakura did as she was asked. When she finished, he took his turn.

When he re-entered the room, she was sitting against the beds' backboard.

"...Sakura," He approached her. Sakura turned to meet his eyes. She quickly looked away, unsure of what to say. Sasuke didn't lose contact,

"You can take the bed... I will sleep on the floor."

He brought out a futon from the rooms' closet, preparing it. Sakura stood up when he finished it, trying to gather her words to speak.

"I... I'm sorry, Sasuke. I couldn't handle him on my own... I let my guard down... I couldn't keep myself out of that kind of situation after all... I..."

Her voice trailed off on a tangent, voicing how she felt after that night. Making sure to tell him that she'll work harder, and to please not take her home. Sasuke listened closely and carefully to her fumbling over her sentences. It took her a long time to speak... The least he could do was listen. When she finished, she couldn't look at him. How could she? She ran her hand through her hair in frustration feeling emotionally exhausted.

Sasuke took the time to think carefully before responding. She opened up to him... He can't respond the way he usually would. But he was angry at how she let her guard down so easily. He had to speak to her sternly.

"Sakura, I won't lie to you. I am angry. At you... And at myself. You're right, you let your guard down too quickly. I warned you that I may not be able to save you every time you get into these situations... I-"

Sakura interrupted him, angry, "I don't just wake up and decide to put my life at risk! I don't go out of my way to get myself into these situations! It's not my fault! I thought I finished him, but then he- then he came at me..."

She whimpered, feeling tears sting her eyes. It was horrible being held that way by that terrible man, feeling him kiss her, hearing him moan, it was terrible...terrible.

Sasukes' brows furrowed in frustration, "You know better than to let your guard down. I can't... Hearing you scream... Ugh.."

He turned away, disgusted by the memory. Sakura paused, waiting to hear more. But he never finished. He couldn't. Sakura reached out to him, touching his shoulder. He turned to look at her, anger flashing across his eyes. And then...she understood what he was feeling. He was scared for her that night.

She was speechless. She could only look at him.

As moments passed, she reached for his face, but he grabbed her arm, "Don't."

He didn't hurt her, but he said it firmly enough for her to understand that he needed his space. Her arm slid down from his hand, but before it did completely, she took his hand in hers and he saw it. Her eyes. So full of love. He tore his hand away, tore his eyes away...

Sakura then turned around to get in bed and sleep. It didn't take long for her to... He soon heard her even-breathing. He turned to look at her, watching her face...watching her body rise and fall as she took in each breath...

He approached her, gently moving her hair out of her face. All he could think in that moment was...

'Thank you... For trusting me... For believing in me. Just... Thank you.'

He thought about that horrible night. She felt so safe in his presence, so sure that he would ensure her safety that that must've been why she was so quick to let her guard down. He won't...let her down again. What a cruel lesson for them both, he thought.

He shook his head, and headed for the futon. He deserved to sleep as well.

Before sleep took him, all that was on his mind was how much he realized Sakura was starting to mean to him.

And he didn't know if that was dangerous...or fine.