-A/N: Hope you enjoy! And I promise it'll get better!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Nartuo series…unfortunately :..(

Italics like this mean its thoughts in a characters head

A New Life

ShikaIno: 5

InoChou:

InoItachi:

InoKiba: 11

InoSai: 3

:) ShikaTema: 11

Ch. 13 Proximity

Sakura tucked the blanket around her shoulders closer to her body and shook her head, "I can take ordinary pain medication later."

The medic that stood before her nodded as Sakura sat on the edge of the ambulance; they already bandaged up the cuts her shattered vase gave her and deemed the bump on her head from hitting her bed had barely broken skin. They also told her that she would be decorated in bruises for the next week but nothing was serious enough to make a trip to the hospital. Sakura looked up as Sasuke stood talking to a family member on the police force; she promised a written report tomorrow since she didn't want to give the details now, just thinking about made her want to cry.

Both Sakura and Sasuke looked over as her attacker was unwillingly being lead to a police car. Sakura's heart pounded as she stared horrifyingly at the familiar face; it turned out after all the supposed politician supporter who parked in front of her house all yesterday was really just watching her. The police also discovered that the wires to her father's car battery had been cut, most likely by him. Sakura body position cowered backwards as the heavily wounded man looked at her with a look of anger then satisfaction.

Sasuke glared deeply at the man as his hands twitched at the urge to continue beating him. The satisfied attacker continued to stare at her as he limped towards the police car, "This isn't the end Sakura."

Sakura's eyes widened; she didn't know he knew her name. She cringed and pulled the blanket wrapped around her shoulders as tight as she could and looked down at the pavement. Sasuke said something sternly to his family member and began walking back to Sakura as the attacker was shoved into the police car. His eyes softened as he looked at her and kneeled down to where he could meet her eyes, "Sakura, it is over. It's impossible for him to get anywhere near you from where he's going."

Sakura brought up her hesitant jade eyes to look at his confident face. She gave a small nod and shifted the blanket on her shoulders again. Sasuke took that as the best reaction he could get and stood back up, "You ready to go?"

Sakura looked up at him with curious eyes, "Go where?"

Sasuke's lips curved the slightest amount, "My home, you're safe there while your father's gone."

Sakura's eyes widened; she hadn't said it but she was terrified to stay home alone for the rest of the week but didn't want her father to come home from his trip. She took a slow, deep breath and finally gave a small smile, "Okay…"

Sasuke's lips curved the slightest bit more as he held out his hand to her, "Then let's go home."

Sakura stretched her hand out; entranced by the feeling of warm protection that came when she was around him. He calmly held her hand as she stood and he led her to his car. He opened the door for her as the police and medics got in their cars and began driving away. She sat in his car taking calm breaths as he went to his seat and she leaned back into her seat. She was safe, as long as she was with Sasuke, she was safe.

_an hour later_

Sasuke rubbed his temples as he sat on the couch with his phone pressed against his ear.

"Oh my God, Is she okay!? Where is she?!"

Sasuke gave a small sigh at his mother's petrified voice, "Yes, a few cuts and bruises but she'll be fine. She's in your shower so she could borrow some of your clothes." Sasuke could hear a big sigh of relief over the phone.

"Well let her know if she needs anything from me I'll be here…Should I tell her father?"

Sasuke thought about it for a moment, "Let me talk to him in the morning. He'll want to talk to her and she needs some time to breathe."

Mikoto agreed as she stood about fifteen feet from her husband and Seichii Haruno, "I'll have some clothes delivered in her size tomorrow. I imagine she doesn't want to go back to her house to get some."

Sasuke agreed and thanked her, "Well she'll be out soon and I have to order dinner."

Mikoto held her phone tightly in her hand, "Alright, take care of her okay. She really needs you right now."

Sasuke's face became intense, "I'll keep her safe, no matter what."

Mikoto smiled at his response over the phone and bid her goodbye; it sounded like Sasuke finally understood how he felt.

Sasuke hung up his phone and looked up at the door to his parents' bedroom, she was taking a while.

Sakura stared at herself in the mirror, her eyes traced over all the bruises, marks, and cuts left on her. Her eyes hardened as she gripped a hand over the bite mark on her neck. She took a sharp breath and stared at the floor, she could still feel his touch. She cringed and quickly wrapped a towel around her body. She walked out onto the bedroom and walked to where Sasuke said his mother's clothes were. Her eyes scanned over all the clothes, she was desperate to cover any mark he left on her. She settled on a pale blue collared shirt that went mid sleeve and white capris after bandaging the cuts left on her.

She looked in the mirror and quickly buttoned the shirt all the way up. She nervously glanced in the mirror and did a full look at herself. She could still see the bruises on her wrists, two bandaged cuts from the vase, and a bruise from when he grabbed her ankle. She quickly went back to the closet and tugged a red sweater over the shirt and was happy to see it was just long enough to cover her wrists. It would be impossible to cover the bandaged cut on her leg and bruise on her ankle without getting overheated, it was the end of April and Konohagakure was very hot.

Sakura continuously shifted her hands around as she went downstairs and watched as Sasuke hung up the phone. Sasuke looked over at the sound of her footsteps and gave the kindest expression he could, "I just ordered dinner, you like Chinese right?"

Sakura nodded with a small smile as she tugged at her sleeves and sat down beside him. They sat quiet for a moment; Sakura looked up as the butler brought in hot tea and gave her a warm smile. She gave a small smile back and held the cup closely in her hand and pulled her legs up against her body as she sat. Sasuke picked up his glass and looked into her wounded, distant eyes; he frowned. Sakura took a big sip of her tea and embraced the warmth rushing through her; it made her loosen up a little bit.

"I'm having some maids set up the guest bedroom for you. It's right next to my bedroom if you need anything."

Sakura took a slow breath, "Thank you…"

Sasuke nodded and took a sip of his drink, "The room will have everything you need in it."

Sakura clenched her hands around the glasses and shadowed her eyes with hair, "No…I mean thank you…thank you for saving me, thank you for always saving me."

Sasuke heard her voice waver at the end of the sentence.

Sakura's body tensed up, "If you didn't save me I-"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed and he put a hand on her shoulder, "But I did save you. I will always save you."

Sakura took a slow breath and let her body loosen and she gave a small smile. She looked at him with a small blush as her damp hair clung to the frame of her face, "I know"

Sasuke felt a small twitch at his heart but gave a comforting look as she settled into the couch. Sakura gazed around the house, it was very open, "Your house never ceases to amaze me, it must've taken forever to decorate."

Sasuke glanced around his house a little and gave a small nod, "My mother enjoyed it though, she has an eye for design."

Sakura leaned her head back and stared at the high ceiling, she traced her eyes on the detailing, "My mother would've loved this house…"

Sasuke's eyes widened; Sakura didn't like to talk about her mother. He gripped his hand around his cup trying to make the topic natural, "How come?"

Sakura's nostalgic eyes looked at the craftsmanship of the architecture, "She was really artistic…She was a really popular architect before she had me. She would still sell lots of sketches from home though."

Sasuke nodded as Sakura gave a smile. "There's this one drawing of a house she made when I was six; I kept asking to see it so much she gave it to me. I still have it…I decided after she died I'm going to live in that house, that way she's still a part of my home."

Sasuke watched her silently as she smiled at the thought. He watched closer as her smile started to falter; he opened his mouth to say something but the doorbell echoed through the house.

Sakura plastered a big, fake smile on her face, "Oh that must be the food, I'm starving."

Sasuke hesitated a moment but got up and went to the door. He paid the poor delivery guy that was in disbelief at the size of his house and turned back with food in hand. Sakura stood as Sasuke tilted his head in the direction of the kitchen. Sasuke set the food out as the butler set out drinks. Sakura eyed the food as Sasuke opened the containers, "Wow, you bought a lot."

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders as he handed her a plate, "Wasn't sure what you liked and leftovers keep me from cooking."

Sakura gave a small nod as she put some food on her plate, "You don't like to cook?"

Sasuke walked with Sakura to the table as the butler held out her seat, "I burn anything past spaghetti."

Sakura gave a small giggle as she thanked the butler, "Well good thing I'm here for a few days."

Sasuke gave a small smirk before the room became tense at the reason for her stay. They ate slowly from the avoidance of speaking; neither knew what to say. One of the few maids did the dishes and put away the food when they were done. Sasuke shifted awkwardly in his seat, he wasn't used to having guests. Normally at this time he would be doing homework but he was pretty sure both of their minds were completely worn out. "Do…"

Sasuke tilted his head up at Sakura's hesitant voice. "Do you want to watch a movie?"

Sakura looked at him slowly; it was the only thing she could think of. She smiled when he nodded and stood and led her to a small movie theater in the basement.

_at the police station_

Sasuke's relative annoyingly tapped his finger on the metal desk; they still had yet to have the criminal admit to motive or anything. The Uchiha sighed as he gripped the table, "Look, whether you like it or not we will find out everything. It'll only be a few minutes till your fingerprints are processed and we have a jail cell with your name on it! Now, is there still anything you want to say?"

The culprit tilted up his bruised and beaten face, "I'd like to make my phone call."

The policeman gave an irritated look and nodded, "Fine…" He led the culprit in handcuffs to the phone and sat him down.

The criminal watched boredly as one hand was released and the other was handcuffed to the chair. He began dialing as he watched the officer stare at him from a few feet distance. He tilted his head in the other direction as he waited for an answer.

"Report"

The attacker gave a stern look and whispered, "Captured but objective made clear."

There was a short silence over the phone, "Reasoning?"

The criminal touched his swollen face at the memory, "Interference"

There was a small sigh over the phone, "I guess the boy was right about her protection…I'll take care of things just keep your mouth shut."

The criminal gave wide smirk and lowered his voice, "Of course, Danzo-sama"

_an hour and a half later_

Sakura giggled as Sasuke turned off the television, they had watched a comedy to lighten the mood. Sakura smiled as she stared at Sasuke, "By the end of the week I'm going to make you laugh! Really, really laugh!"

Sasuke smirked, "Good luck with that."

Sakura pouted; all he did was smirk, never laugh. She stood up and gave her own smirk, "Thanks, but I won't need it."

Sasuke stood and gave a small roll of his eyes and glanced at the clock, "We should probably go to sleep, it's been a long day."

Sakura's expression faltered a little and she nodded, she was exhausted. She followed him up the stairs and watched as he pointed to two doors. "That's your room for the week and that's mine if you need anything."

Sakura gave a quick nod and placed her hand on the door knob and gave her best smile, "Goodnight…"

Sasuke opened his door and glanced at her, he tilted his lips up, "Night"

Sakura shut the door behind her and looked at the massive room; it was decorated in shades of cream and blue. She eyed the clothes sitting on the edge of the bed, they were silk white pajamas. She slipped them on that went to her knee and the sleeves went an inch from her elbow. She shifted in the soft fabric, she felt awkward wearing something so fancy to bed. She shook the thought away, turned the lights off, and got in bed.

She laid there for ten minutes staring at the ceiling; no matter the size or how comfortable the bed was, she couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned a few times but still couldn't feel comfortable. She hugged the pillow close to her as she stared at the wall, she felt lonely in the massive bed. She glanced around the dark room, as her heart started to pick up pace, she felt unsafe. Sakura found herself constantly looking at the door and windows worried her attacker would suddenly burst in and finish what he started. She knew him escaping from jail and finding her was impossible but she still couldn't get the thought out of her mind.

She sat up as her heart beat sky rocketed again, she was getting paranoid. She heard a tree shift out the window and jumped. She looked around the room in panic as the wounds left on her started to ache and nerves made her eyes water. She immediately stood up and left the room. Her pace slowed as she got near Sasuke's door. She clenched her jaw as she stared at his door, she felt stupid. She tightened her hands together and looked at the floor. I'm just being paranoid…

She looked back at her open bedroom door and tensed. She looked back at Sasuke's door picturing him behind it and raised her hand; she just wanted to see him. Her hand came an inch from the door and her eyes started to water, she was lying to herself. Sakura really needed him to hold her and tell her it was okay again; she really needed him to make her feel safe. She gasped and sprung her head up as the door was swung open with her hand still in the air.

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly as Sakura looked up at him with surprised, vulnerable eyes. He got up to get a drink because he couldn't sleep and wasn't expecting her to be standing there. He narrowed his eyes at the tears in the corner of her eyes as she began to lower the hand meant to knock on his door. "I-I'm sorry…I, uh, I just wanted…"

Sasuke grabbed the hand she was lowering and pulled her into his arms, "I know…"

Sakura's eyes widened as she was pulled into his chest. Her heart tightened at his words and he placed one hand on her head and one on her back. She took a wavering breath as a single tear slipped down her face and she embraced the safety of his warmth. Her heartbeat calmed down and the paranoia faded away as she listened to his heartbeat. She closed her eyes and leaned against him as he picked her up and sat down on his bed with her in his arms. He rocked her gently while staring at her face, hoping he was doing the best comforting her.

Sakura felt completely serene as she rested against him, she felt safe. Sasuke continued holding her until she eventually fell asleep, he watched her for a moment wondering what to do. Truthfully he couldn't sleep because he was so focused on making sure she was safe but he couldn't see her. He slowly leaned back and shifted to where they both were on the bed and pulled the covers on top. He awkwardly stared at her, not used to being in such a situation, and widened his eyes as she subconsciously cuddled against his chest.

He blinked a few times and looked at her sleeping face. His eyes softened and he wrapped the arm she was resting on around her shoulders. He tilted his forehead on hers and took a slow breath, today had been the first time in years he felt real fear. Nothing could compare to the intense fear he felt after hearing her scream repeatedly over the phone and knowing she was helpless till he got there. Today had also taught him how important she was and that he didn't care who she liked, he was going to win her over.

_in the morning_

Sasuke's nose twitched as something tickled it. He opened his eyes and glanced down to see a strand of pink hair on his face; he smirked lightly at the scent of strawberries and lightly pushed the strand to the side. Sasuke looked down to see Sakura laying on his chest and his arm still wrapped around her, he was a little stiff but at the moment he didn't care. He tilted his head to look at the time…school would be starting soon. He pushed the thought aside; neither of them would want to go to school today. He shifted his shoulders just slightly and laid his head back to return to sleep.

_at school_

Ino tapped her perfectly manicured nails on her desk as she intently watched the class door. Three minutes till the bell rang and Sakura still hadn't showed up. She nervously tugged at her long ponytail as time ticked away. Ino heard something happened in Sakura's neighborhood so she called to check on her but she didn't pick up. Ino thought Sakura's father was still at home and Sakura would be perfectly safe with him but now she wasn't so sure. She gripped her hands together and took a deep breath as the bell rang, she immediately walked to Hinata's desk, "Have you heard from Sakura?"

Hinata looked up and noticed the pinkette still hadn't shown up, "No…Don't you usually take her in the morning?"

Ino blinked her nervous blue eyes, "Yeah, but Sakura said she had the car for a week because her dad was using a different one and now she's not answering her phone."

Hinata thought about it for a moment, trying not to over think anything, "Maybe she got sick…"

Ino gripped her hand against Hinata's desk and lowered her voice, "Maybe, but…I heard there was a lot of police cars in her neighborhood last night so I got worried and called but she never answered…and now she's not here."

Hinata's lavender eyes narrowed as her heart picked up, "We could ask the school to call her house at lunch."

Ino sighed, not liking the wait, but nodded. She then did a bored glance around the room looking at Sakura's empty seat and narrowed her eyes, "Sasuke's not here either."

Hinata tilted her head and stared at the two empty desks, "That's…a coincidence."

Ino let her heart calm down and gave a small smirk, "I doubt it."

Hinata parted her lips to say something but Kakashi walked into the room and Ino left for her seat. Kakashi pointed out the absence of both Sakura and Sasuke, asking of their whereabouts, later regretting it after gossip started to swirl around the room. A group of girls began making quiet comments to each other about worry and anger of the possibility of the pinkette being with Sasuke. Naruto became so irritated by the chatter that he ended up calling Sasuke at the end of class.

Sakura mumbled as ringing was heard in the corner of the room, her eyes fluttered lightly as she felt something shift under her. She raised her head realizing it was a phone ringing and she was lying on a bare chest. Her cheeks flushed as she sat up and Sasuke carelessly got up to get his phone. Her face deepened in shade realizing where she just spent the night as Sasuke gave an annoyed look at the caller ID before picking up the phone, "Shouldn't you be at school?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he played Sasuke's voice on speakerphone for the whole class to hear, "I called to ask you the same thing."

Sasuke rolled his eyes on the other end of the line and ran a hand through his hair, "Had to do my parents another favor out of town."

Ino leaned over Naruto's phone to ask the question every girl wanted to know, "So you wouldn't happen to know where Sakura was, right?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at Ino's voice, "No, why would I?"

Ino's heart faltered a bit at the serious tone he used, "Just wondering…"

Sasuke sighed hearing the hidden concern; "Well I have things to finish if I want to make it back home by the end of the day. See you tomorrow."

With the end of his sentence Sasuke hung up and looked at Sakura's blushing and curious face, "Naruto…"

Sakura gave a small nod and looked down at the sheets. She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear after a small moment and looked back up at him, "You want breakfast?"

_at school_

Naruto gave a bored look the rest of his class and shoved his phone back in his pocket, "See everybody, Sasuke's out of town. You can all stop making stuff up and go back to your own little lives."

Majority of the class did accordingly but Hinata and Ino exchanged a nervous look; now they were back to being unaware of where Sakura was. The next class began to drag by as Ino and Hinata became more nervous; they knew Sakura was tough but they didn't know how tough. Ino glanced down at her phone as she sent another text message when the teacher turned around. Please answer…

_Uchiha residence_

Sakura shifted back and forth in the clothes Mikoto ordered for her; Mikoto wasn't aware of the severity of Sakura's injuries so she did the best she could. Sakura sighed as she wore jean shorts a few inches above her knee and a light, flowy coral top. She put a small silver, beaded necklace from the bag on top and tied her hair to the side of the bite mark. She frowned as she stared at the bruises on her wrists and ankle. Sakura had come to terms with seeing the bandaged cuts her vase gave her; she just hated seeing proof of his touch. She sighed and glanced at the door, knowing Sasuke was waiting on her.

Sakura looked up as she walked out the door and a phone was tossed at her. She caught it on instinct and realized it was her phone.

Sasuke leaned against the upstairs hallway railing, "Ino wanted to know where you were."

Sakura gave a small nod remembering she left her briefcase in his car. She flipped the phone open to see five missed calls and seven text messages; she sighed as she went through her voicemail. She followed Sasuke down the stairs as she frowned at Ino's worried messages and one from her father. She sat on the couch as she sent Ino a message pretending that she had to stay home while somebody came to fix the air conditioning system.

Breakfast went by calmly; Sakura demanded to cook since she would be staying there a while. Sasuke wanted to argue but found the omelets and bacon she made to be very worth it. Sakura helped put away leftovers and stared into his fridge, "You need to buy groceries."

Sasuke shifted his eyes towards her, "Usually one of the maids buys it."

Sakura glanced back at him, cocked an eyebrow, and smiled, "Well were going grocery shopping so I can teach you and so we have enough food."

Sasuke prepared to argue but didn't dislike the idea of shopping with her. He nodded at the idea, "We'll have to go soon so we don't run into people after school."

Sakura nodded, it would be very hard to explain them skipping school and shopping for groceries; it'd be an easy give away that they were living together. Sasuke looked at her and tightened his gaze as he remembered something, "We'll have to go to the police station at some point while were out."

Sakura's eyes widened and hardened as she remember she still had to give a report of her attack. She shoulders tightened, "I need to call my dad too…"

Sasuke nodded and gave a small sigh as he leaned back against the counter, "Do you want to go now? Just to get it over with."

Sakura hesitated a moment and nodded. Sakura went upstairs to borrow Mikoto's grey blazer and put on silver sandals bought for her. To say the ride to the police station was uncomfortable would be an understatement. Sakura was having a minor panic attack in her mind as she thought about running into her attacker and having to relive the horrid memories as she told her story. Sasuke had comforted her before through actions instead of words; he couldn't think of anything to say while driving.

Once they parked in front of the station Sakura was frozen in her seat. Sasuke turned the car off and shifted in his seat to get out but stopped noticing Sakura's frantic state. He frowned as she stared eyes wide as the ground as fear raged through her mind. Sasuke hesitated a moment and placed his hand on hers. Sakura blinked back to reality and looked at him in surprise. Sasuke gave the best reassuring look he could and tilted his head towards the police station, "You ready?"

Sakura's heart tightened in fear but nodded before they got out of the car. They walked closely beside each other as they were escorted through the building. Sakura noticed almost every single office belonged to somebody in Sasuke's family. Sakura's body tensed as they entered a room and were sat down. Sakura took a deep breath and tried to relax. She felt slightly more comfortable being in a standard detectives office instead of an investigation room like she expected.

Sasuke and Sakura turned their heads as one of his relatives walked in with some coffee for all of them. Sakura watched him as he handed them coffee and sat down in his seat. He had long black hair pulled back out of his face, serious black eyes, and was dressed in a grey collared shirt, and black slacks.

The detective folded his hands on his desk, "Sasuke, nice to see you. Sakura, I'm Detective Inabi Uchiha and am the one handling your case."

Sakura gave a small nod as she shifted in her seat. Sasuke glanced at his relative as he searched his eyes; he could tell he knew something important. Inabi tapped his fingers and looked seriously into Sakura's eyes, "Before you start your report there's something I want to go over. Your attacker made his phone call last night and was acting suspicious. We record all phone calls made at the station and it seems that the man was acting upon orders when he came after you."

Sakura stiffened in her seat and Sasuke clenched his hands as they listened for more.

"The phone number was untraceable but he called the man by the name of Danzo. Do you kn-"

The detective cut off his question as her eyes widened and jaw dropped. Her heart pounded in her ears as the name ran though her mind over and over again. Sasuke looked at her in concern as she looked in a state of shock in her seat. He leaned over trying to meet her gaze, "Sakura? Do you know him?"

Sakura sat still for a moment and slowly met his gaze with disbelief drawn on her face, "Danzo…Danzo is Sai's uncle…"

Sasuke's eyes widened and fury burned through his stomach and his heartbeat went up in anger; he was going to kill Sai.

_author's notes_

I hope there was enough SasuSaku in there for you, the plot is slowly unraveling and you'll find out the truth behind Sai following Sakura in the next chapter. I just moved into college so I'm not sure how often I'll update, but I'll do my best! Please review! I swear it makes me more motivated to update!