Disclaimer: I hate always having to repeat the words, 'I don't own Naruto.'

Italics: flashback or thoughts

Chapter 13

Recap: Sometime later I feel the other side of the bed sink down, I know someone is there. The bed shifts again and suddenly I am pressed against a warm body, the persons arms around me. Like a protective embrace, I feel safe in these arms. I smell cinnamon apples and I know who it is, and I smile. Snuggling into him I whisper just a few words. "Good night, Sasuke-kun."

He places a soft kiss on the top of my head, holding me closer to him. "Good night, Sakura." With that I drift off into dreamland with a smile on my face.

I wake the next morning still cradled in Sasuke's arms, my head on his chest. I snuggle closer to him, he is just so warm. But it seems that my movement woke him up. His arms tighten around me.

I wiggle out of his embrace and get out of the bed. Without looking back at him I walk out of the room and into the kitchen. When I get there everyone is there, Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, Zabuza, and Haku. I grab a cup of coffee and hop up onto the counter. I'm surprised that everyone is so quiet…but then again with what I told them, I really shouldn't be surprised. Who would want to talk to a demon?

Sasuke walks into the kitchen, a scowl on his face, and gets a cup of coffee, and walks over to the other guys. I feel very left out so I just finish my coffee and leave. I put my shoes on at the door and leave Sasuke's house. I just walk around for a while, and somehow I end up back at my house.

I walk to the front door, and enter my home. It has been so long since I have been in here, I have been staying with Sasuke for the past few weeks. I walk up to my bedroom, and lay down on my bed. I know that my house is the one place that no one can find me, my father made sure of it. Of course out of all of the houses in the compound, mine is the only one.

Now I just have to figure out how to protect my friends from my father's enemies, that are now after me. Oh, and Orochimaru too. I don't even know why I told them. I had no choice with Naruto and Sasuke, but why the hell did I choose to tell the rest of them?

Its not long before I fall asleep again, my mind slipping into darkness. I can feel the cool silk sheets around me, the soft pillows under my head, but also a familiar warmth to my back. Not to mention a very familiar scent. I push myself closer to the warmth, letting them hold me. For now I don't want to think, I just want to sleep. I want to feel safe, and protected, like I am feeling right now in his arms. I don't know how he can do this to me, but all I know is that he has.

The next morning I wake to see Sasuke next to me, how the hell he found me, and got into my house is a mystery, but I will leave that for later. I seriously thought he would be mad after I just left and everything the last time I woke up by him.

One thing I have realized, is that when Sasuke holds me when I sleep, I don't have my nightmares. I don't know why, but right now I don't want to say anything for the fear of the nightmares returning. And I defiantly don't want that to happen, they are horrible.

Soon he wakes up and holds me closer to him, his face buried in my hair. I just let him hold me, burying my face into his chest. I am almost asleep again when a loud explosion can be heard from inside of the village walls. Then people screaming.

In a matter of seconds Sasuke and I are out of bed and out of my room. Running into the streets of the village. We see people running, and lots of them. I look up to where the smoke is now clearing, and I gasp.

My worst fears are becoming a reality. A large black wolf, covered in a red mist, is demolishing the village. Its not just a wolf though, it is a demon. And I know exactly what he is after. If only I could lure him away from the village…

Sasuke grabs my hand and we start running to the giant creature, all of our friends already there fighting…well attempting to fight it. Several older shinobi attack it, but are just blasted back by the mist.

I let go of Sasuke and run at the creature, well more like in front of all of my friends. "Stop attacking it! You need to stop! You cant possibly win against him." I can feel their stares on my back as I get into a protective crouch. Letting loose a growl from my throat, the creature turns to me and shrinks down into a human form.

He smirks at me, "Well, well, its about time you came out to play. I have been ever so lonely, little cherry." Everyone's jaws drop, probably because this thing knows me.

I growl again, "Yashu, what are you doing here? Why the hell are you here?" He starts to walk toward me, and that means my friends as well. I let a fierce snarl out, making him stop in his tracks.

He grins at me, and it really creeps me out. "What, I don't even get a hello? Now that is just rude. I am sure your parents have raised you to be better than that." At the mention of my parents I feel my eyes turn, my nails grow into claws, and my teeth get longer and sharper.

"Don't you dare speak of my parents that way!"

He starts to advance to me again, "What do you want Yashu?"

He gives me a dark laugh in reply, "Oh nothing more than to bring you a present my cherry. I hope you like it." He throws a large bundle at me, "Until the next time that we meet, my cherry." And he just disappears, all of the damage that he has cause has vanished with him.

I look at the bundle a few feet from me, then turn to look at my friends. I can see the terror in their eyes, and I cant look at any of them without feeling guilty about bringing them into this, even if they don't know what is going on.

I walk to the bundle, but when I am about two feet from it, it lets out a small groan. Like a living being would give off when in pain. I waste no more time in rushing to the bundle and carefully unwrapping the cloth. When I see what lays inside my eyes widen, and tears start running down my face. There, covered in his own blood…is Emiko. My father's best friend, a man I considered my uncle.

I lay my hands on him, one on his forehead, the other right over his heart. And I begin to heal him. His injuries are severe, but I shouldn't have any problem with healing him. No matter how little chakra I have. I always have my healing powers to rely on if I need to. I wont lose him, not after I just got him back. He is like family to me, I cant just let him go. I just cant do that again. I lost my family once, and I am sure as hell not going to let it happen again. A silver glow appears above both of my hands and his injuries are gone in a matter of minutes.

He groans again and starts to sit up, but I don't let him get very far until I have him pinned to the ground in a hug. "Emiko…" his name barely comes out as a whisper, but I know that he can hear me perfectly.

I can feel his arms going around me, hugging me back. "Sakura…little blossom…" I smile at his old nickname for me. And hold him closer to me. Tears still rolling down my face, I am unable to stop them from falling. I bury my head into his neck, and take in his scent for the first time in years. Maple wood and honey.

He sits up again, but this time with me in his lap, my head still buried in his neck. "Little blossom, you need to calm down." I nod my head weakly.

I feel Sasuke come up behind me, "Sakura, who is this?"

I turn so my face is to his, "His name is Emiko. He's like my uncle. He helped train me when I was young. I thought he was dead, and I am so happy that he's not." I smile, leaning back against Emiko. I let out a small yawn.

Sasuke comes over to me and takes me out of Emiko's arms. "Ok Sakura, you should go get some rest. Healing Emiko took a lot of energy, energy you still hadn't gained back."

I nod my head, knowing that he was right. I let my head fall onto his shoulder as he carried me in his arms like a groom would a bride. "Emiko, you better be coming too. I am not losing you again."

I hear quiet laughter from him, and then his footsteps behind us. He walks side-by-side with Sasuke. "I wouldn't dream of leaving you alone, little blossom. You wont ever lose me again, I promise." I smile and start to fall asleep in Sasuke's arms.

We enter a home, and I am too tired to care who's it is. I know that it would either be Sasuke's or mine. But since I smell more of Sasuke's scent then my own, I know that it is his. Once again I am laid down on his soft bed, the covers pulled over me. I feel the bed dip down on one side, then am suddenly pulled against someone's chest. Since I can see Emiko, I know that it was Sasuke. After smiling up at him, I smile at Emiko and hold out my hand. He takes it and smiles back at me.

With them both wishing me a good night, I feel into a peaceful slumber for the first time in years, with a small smile on my face."

I apologize for the short chapter, but some is better than none. I was studying for my finals for a few hours and decided to take a break. But as I was writing I actually fell asleep with my laptop on my lap. Since I have now posted a new chapter, I don't know when the next will come out. So anyway, please comment and review.

~ Sakura Lily 16