Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto

Recap:

After a momentary pause, she heard the person speak.

"Sakura…you have me mistaken for someone else"

Waking up from his slumber after someone nudged him, Sasuke slowly opened his eyes trying to take in his surroundings as he remembered the events that had led to him being in a hospital room. He noted that the other boys were still asleep though Sasuke could probably guess that his older brother would probably wake soon since he knew that Itachi would usually wake up early. Sitting up, Sasuke turned and took in the sight of the pink haired girl blinking her eyes against the bright light.

Her short pink hair caressed the hospital pillow and her deep green eyes looked hazy. He felt relieved when he saw that there was some pink in her cheeks and she seemed more relax and at peace than she had previously been.

"Sakura…are you okay?" murmured Sasuke as he gently leaned over to mumble words of comfort to her. She was so vulnerable and angelic that it clutched at his heart to know that she was hurting and there was nothing he could do about it.

He expected that when she woke up and saw him, she would probably start shouting at him or arguing with him but he also expected that she might be too weak or tired to do anything.

But he had not expected what happened next.

He had definitely not expected Sakura to gently stroke his cheek as a small but questioning smile played on those sweet pink lips. Her fingers were so smooth and delicate that it comforted him in a way that nothing had ever comforted him before.

Puzzled, Sasuke opened his mouth to question her gesture…only to be shocked by the words that slipped out of her soft pink lips.

"…Akira?"

Sasuke froze.

He didn't know why but he suddenly felt very edgy. He had understood that he did bear a resemblance to the deceased Akira but he had never thought that Sakura could even mistake him for Akira. All the warmth that he had previously been feeling faded away as a new emotion overwhelmed him.

Sasuke frowned.

He wasn't a fool. He could clearly understand that Akira still affected Sakura after all these years and Sasuke couldn't help but feel bitter about the fact that he even had to compete with someone who was already gone from the world.

"Sakura…you have mistaken me for someone else"

Sasuke gazed at Sakura's face as her eyes focused and widened in shock. Her pink lips slowly opened in a shocked gasp as her flushed cheeks instantly paled at the sight of Sasuke's slight frown marring his handsome features. He could read the surprise and confusion apparent on her features as her stunning green eyes traveled over his face almost as if she was in disbelief.

After what seemed a lifetime, Sakura finally managed to make a sound which sounded halfway between a squeak and a gasp.

She immediately faltered under his frown which had yet to fade away from his face as he watched her seriously.

"S-Sasuke?" squeaked Sakura, her viridian eyes wide with shock. All previous weariness and confusion fading fast as she focused only on the boy in front of her. Sasuke took in a deep breath as he leaned back and closed his eyes momentarily, almost as if he was calming himself down. He didn't want to see her to see him frowning after she had just woken up. Turning her head slowly to the side to study Sasuke once more, realization dawned on her.

There were sterile white walls surrounding the room and Sakura instantly frowned. The white sheets of her bed and the fact that Sasuke was here could only mean one thing.

She was in a hospital.

Attempting to sit up, Sakura immediately let out a low hiss of pain as a jolt shot through her and she immediately touched her stomach. She was confused for a moment wondering why she was in such pain.

"Don't sit up just yet. It will hurt" stated Sasuke as he leaned over and gently helped her to lean back down onto her pillow. Sakura couldn't help but feel flustered by his soft yet firm hands that guided her back down. He seemed so caring now despite his frown earlier and she blushed. She had always thought of him as an arrogant jerk but…she wasn't so sure.

Sakura allowed her eyes to flutter close as she remembered bits and pieces. She could distinctly remember a gang fight and shouting and yelling. Biting her lip, Sakura scowled angrily. That was right…some lousy ass of an enemy had pulled a cheap trick and stabbed her.

Sakura cursed inwardly.

Damn it hurt like hell!

"Sakura…you should rest for a little while longer" murmured Sasuke, instantly gaining her attention. Eyeing him warily, Sakura felt slightly drowsy and still light headed from her previous rest. Now if only she could lean back and snuggle under the sheets to sleep but her wound was really killing her and she had the sudden urge to hold her stomach tightly.

Taking a shaky breath in, Sakura glanced around the room.

She could see Gaara's distinctive spiky red hair in one corner and the brown wavy hair of Kiba who was sitting against the wall behind Sasuke. Without turning her head, Sakura could almost guess that if she had turned her head, she would see Itachi. Sakura couldn't help but feel a sense of guiltiness spread through her, knowing that she had caused them to worry and remain by her.

But…that was those three…Sakura couldn't quite place the reason as to why Sasuke was sitting right beside her bed.

Instantly remembering what she had first said when she had woken up, Sakura flushed and bit her lip worriedly.

She couldn't believe she had called him Akira.

Taking a deep breath, Sakura shifted into a more comfortable position where she wouldn't be able to feel the pain that much. Glancing up, Sakura gazed at Sasuke from beneath her long lashes.

He was currently leaning forward, his black hair seemed tousled and she could definitely see some dark circles under his smouldering onyx coloured eyes. Even with eye bags, he still looked so delicious and sexy in a ruffled way. Biting her lip, Sakura decided to say something since Sasuke obviously wasn't going to say anything.

"What the hell are you doing here Uchiha?" questioned Sakura, making sure to keep an icy and uncaring tone. The words tumbled out almost instinctively and Sakura almost felt guilty for sounding so cold hearted when it was obvious that Sasuke had stayed with her. But just because he had stayed by her, Sakura didn't want him to think that he had the upper hand.

Sasuke didn't respond but merely studied her features intently.

Sakura didn't know why, but the way his eyes studied her made her shiver in pleasure and she fought the urge to relax her cold barrier.

But he suddenly smirked.

A slow, lazy smirk that Sakura had seen so many times in school.

"Well I see your better Haruno" commented Sasuke, raking his fingers through his hair. "You're still your snappy feisty self"

Sakura immediately scowled.

"Shut up Uchiha, you didn't answer my question"

Sasuke sighed and shrugged. Sakura couldn't believe it. It was like he was treating her like some pestering child that was bugging him for a lollipop or a toy.

When he didn't reply, Sakura felt the anger blossom within her.

She didn't know what caused it, whether it was from the excruciating pain or the fact that Sasuke was not replying to her insistent questions or if it was the fact that he was merely treating her like a little kid but the words that tumbled out of her mouth was one that she immediately regretted saying.

"Uchiha you're an arrogant, insolent jerk that can't even answer one of my damn questions! Don't you dare treat me like an annoying child! You probably only stayed at the hospital so that you could gain an advantage over me! You are definitely not like Akira at all!" snapped Sakura.

Oh. Snap.

Sakura immediately slapped her hand over her mouth as her eyes widened. She couldn't believe she had just spoken Akira's name to Sasuke of all people. But his reaction was one that Sakura had not been expecting.

Sakura watched as the muscles in Sasuke's jaw clenched as his curled his hands into fists, almost as if he was tensing his whole body. The warmth that she had previously witnessed in his eyes immediately turned icy.

"Well Haruno it's so nice to know what you think of me. But if I'm not mistaken, you were the one who called me Akira this morning. As for treating you as a child? You sure act like one" frowned Sasuke, glaring at her coldly before he abruptly stood up and placed two books on her bedside.

Turning to leave, he glanced frostily back at her.

"I hope all is well for you Haruno. I'll see you around school"

With that said, he left.

Sakura frowned and bit her lip.

She couldn't believe she had said something so stupid like that. He was right. She was acting like a child but the words he said before leaving wounded her. Sasuke had sounded almost like he was speaking to a stranger in a formal tone.

Sakura had known that when they fought, it was friendly in a way but this fight was something different all together.

Her emotions were in turbulence and she didn't know quite what to do now. She was sure that she hated that younger Uchiha because he was such a jerk and insensitive and everything that she despised in a guy. But…she couldn't deny the fact that she was actually curiously intrigued by him. There was something about his confident strides, intense gazes and easy smirks that always thrilled her in a way that Akira never could.

Sakura hurriedly shook her head to clear such thoughts.

It must just be curiosity.

Remembering, Sakura turned slightly to study the books that Sasuke had left behind before departing from the room. She pondered over the reason why he had left these two books behind.

Were the books somehow significant?

Was he trying to tell her something?

Sakura ran through the thoughts in her mind before slowly thinking back to her unusual dream. The dream with Akira and Sasuke extending their hands toward her. Sakura couldn't help but think that the dream was trying to tell her something. Normally, Sakura would think that a dream was just a dream and nothing more. But she just couldn't shake the feeling that there was something incredibly significant about this certain dream.

Some kind of message.

Yawning, Kiba drowsily opened his eyes. Sleeping in a hospital chair was definitely not his ideal place to sleep. Hell, even the roof would be a better place to sleep. Running his fingers to comb his tousled brown hair, Kiba slowly woke up and lifted his head up only to see Sakura sitting up with a perplexed expression apparent on her features.

He took a minute just to study her with a sense of relief.

Kiba was glad that she looked so healthy but as he studied her further, he couldn't help but notice that she looked lost and confused. Turning his head, Kiba noted that Itachi and Gaara were still present in the room but he couldn't see Sasuke anywhere.

Kiba frowned.

That was strange.

He was sure that Sasuke was a persistent boy and he thought that Sasuke would have stayed. Kiba sighed as he closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't like the younger Uchiha very much but there wasn't much he could do. After all, the younger Uchiha was even more of an arrogant brat then the older one. Opening his hazel eyes once more, something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Against the bleak white walls of the hospital room, the dark colours of the objects on the bed side table were clearly apparent.

Kiba sucked in a gasp.

Damn…he couldn't believe that the younger Uchiha would actually leave the books on the table for Sakura without letting them explain to Sakura yet. He seriously had no idea what went through the head of that boy and Kiba was quite sure that it probably wasn't even anything that would intrigue him.

He widened his eyes when he saw Sakura turn to stare at the books curiously. He knew Sakura well and he knew that she could be extremely curious to her surroundings like a newborn baby. At times this amused him and made her seem like such a child but this time, he didn't want her to touch those books just yet. Holding his breath, he watched her reach slowly for the books before he abruptly scrapped his chair against the floor to gain her attention.

Almost like a deer caught in headlights, Sakura glanced up at him.

Her attention now focused on him.

Kiba smiled warmly, attempting to keep the anxiety out of his features and walked slowly to her.

With each step that he took, Sakura merely watched him…studied him. He couldn't see the expression in her eyes and he felt bitter for a moment. Ever since Akira's death, Sakura had repressed most of her emotions and this didn't satisfy Kiba at all.

Slowly, Sakura held out a slim hand towards him.

"Good morning Kiba" smiled Sakura, her eyes softening gently on his handsome features. "Sleep well?"

Kiba felt relief spread through his body. She was fine. She looked so much better than she had the previous night and she almost looked like the girl from their past. Grinning, Kiba clasped her hand into his warm ones and sat down on the seat that he knew Sasuke had previously occupied.

"I'm great but what about you? How's your injury? You reopened it last night" explained Kiba, instinctively twirling a lock of her soft pink hair around his finger.

"It hurts and that idiot from last night better not come near me again because I swear I'll put him in his place" vowed Sakura, her eyes flashing dangerously. Kiba gazed, intrigued, as her green eyes darkened menacingly at the thought. It still fascinated him how different she was and yet how familiar she was to the Sakura that she used to be.

"Hey Sak, what happened to the younger Uchiha?" asked Kiba. No matter what, he was still curious about the Uchiha's departure but her expression to his words only served to amplify his curiosity.

She seemed to pale considerably at his words before a slow flush spread on her fair cheeks. Her mouth opened slowly as if to form words before closing again and her viridian eyes flashed with an emotion that Kiba couldn't comprehend. Kiba could feel her hand wanting to clench in his hand but his warm hand prevented her from doing so.

"Sak…?"

Sakura seemed to snap out of her thoughts as she slowly brought her eyes to meet his. There was something in that green depth but Kiba couldn't quite figure what it was. Taking a deep breath, Sakura opened her mouth to speak slowly.

"He…left just before you woke up" answered Sakura, a warning for him not to ask for details coloured her tone.

Knowingly, Kiba merely nodded.

"Oh! You must be thirsty! I'll go get you a bottle of water from the vending machine" suggested Kiba as he gently let go of her hand and strolled out the room, a whistle playing on his lips.

Sakura gazed after him.

"Kiba…"

Running her slim fingers through her hair to untangle it, Sakura winced at the sudden jolt of pain. She smiled softly to herself when a familiar pair of hands gently eased her back into the pillow. Without having to glance up, Sakura knew who it was.

"Hello…Itachi…"

Looking up, Sakura gently traced a finger along Itachi's jaw. He smirked and easily caught her hand before leaning in to place a warm kiss on her lips. She would be lying if she didn't say that she craved the comfort that she derived from Itachi's lips but his kisses weren't like Akira's. It was almost as if it lacked something meaningful in the kisses.

Slowly, Sakura opened her mouth to allow Itachi's warm tongue to swirl and explore the warm cavern of her mouth. Shuddering in pleasure, Sakura probed her tongue against his before he released her after a few moments.

"Glad to see your alright" smirked Itachi as he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. Sakura closed her eyes and reveled in the pleasure before opening her eyes when the warmth stroking her face disappeared.

"Itachi…where are you going?" asked Sakura as she stared after his departing back with a quizzical look apparent on her features.

Itachi smirked back at her.

"I have some business to take care of and Gaara's awake to give you company anyway"

If Sakura hadn't been so observant, she would have missed the darkening in Itachi's eyes and the way his smirk turned to a grim expression when he turned to face away from her.

Frowning slightly, Sakura turned to talk to Gaara who was currently approaching her.

There was definitely something up.

Sasuke cursed under his breath as he leaned back against the seat of his chair. He couldn't believe he had even said all that stuff to Sakura but he didn't quite know how to react. It was all because of what she said about Akira.

He couldn't stand it.

Sasuke knew that if he wanted to be together with Sakura, he had a feeling that he would always be second best to Sakura.

That Akira would always be her first.

"Little brother. Being holed up in your room is a strange habit"

Turning to glare at the silhouette standing in the frame of his doorway, Sasuke frowned. Itachi stood in the doorway with a frown playing on his lips as he took a step into Sasuke's room.

"What the hell do you want Itachi?" frowned Sasuke.

"I heard your little conversation with Sakura back at the hospital"

Sasuke flinched instinctively as he thought back to that conversation and he scowled. He had known that Itachi would have been awake by that time but he hadn't thought that Itachi might have actually heard that conversation.

Sasuke remained silent.

" I don't enjoy the fact that you are playing detective in an issue that is clearly none of your business but there is nothing I can do about it now. You have already delved too far into this to back out but I'm telling you now that you shouldn't involve yourself anymore" warned Itachi, talking more than he usually did much to Sasuke's interest.

Standing up, Sasuke made his way over to his stoic brother.

No matter the words that were previously exchanged between him and Sakura. To him, Sakura was still someone that intrigued and fascinated him like nothing ever had before. To protect her was still the only thought that crossed his mind.

"Then tell me something Itachi. Who is the one coming after Sakura?"

No future is ever written in stone. You can bend and change it to your will because it is your future that you ultimately decide. To think back into the past, to let your past haunt you, is to fill your life with regret and pity. The wheel of fate turns, but there is nothing that a human can do to change it. You must laugh and embrace it or cry and deny it. The wheel of fate reveals truths and secrets and the veil is gently peeled away to light the darkness in the brightness of life. There is no such thing as moving back because the only way is forward. The guiding star in the distance is your future and the wings of hope will take you to that star as the wheel of fate constantly turns.

There is no turning back once you've started.

There is no regret or sadness.

There is only the future you decide.

Okay okay! I am really REALLY sorry for this late update but I've been drowning in homework and exams so I really have no idea when my next update would be since I don't even have that much time to write. I don't even think this chapter was that good so I'm really sorry about that and I promise that there will be more romance in the next chapter! XD

Please review because the review flow seems to be slowing down and without reviews, there's hardly any inspirations for me to continue on…

Oh yes! A happy late valentines day to everyone out there! Did anyone do anything special? I hope everyone had a blast and I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!

3 s2 Cherry Blossom s2