Disclaimer: It took me a year to update this. That's some procrastination...

Bloody Knuckles

XxX

I practically leapt out of my bed when I woke up. My chest rose and fell rapidly and sweat rolled down my forehead.

I haven't had that dream in awhile.

...

Inner?

...

Why aren't you answering!

...

You better be messing around!

...

I crawled out of bed and glanced around for Sparta. When I didn't find him my anxiety grew and I swung my legs off of the bed. I cursed the cold that surrounded me and resisted the urge to snuggle back into the covers of my nice warm bed. I glanced around and silently crept towards Sasuke's bed. I peered at him and softly whispered his name. It didn't surprise me that he didn't answer. I could hardly hear myself! I slowly got onto his bed and crawled towards him. I poked his nose and he crinkled his face.

I let out a whine and slipped under the covers. I felt my face flushing at the thought of my close proximity to him and our earlier lip contact. I let out a sigh and scooted closer to Sasuke, until I could smell his clean hair and hear the calm sound of his breathing.

I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to reclaim me. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh...

Wait.

Why am I in Sasuke's bed?

The last time checked I didn't like him.

...

Does this mean I-

NO! Stopping that thought right there.

What the heck? What is wrong with me.

I sat up and forced myself out of the comfort of Sasuke's bed and made my way back to my own bed and flicked on a flashlight that I had stolen. I set it on the floor and quickly slipped off my shirt and put on a cut off on over my sports bra, I slipped on shorts, and tied my hair back. I stretched and walked out of the room.

Sasuke's POV

I woke up to a shoe clocking (AN: love that term) me on the nose. I shot forward, growling a string of profanities as I scanned the room for the soon to be corpse. My eyes landed on Itachi at the doorway a shoe clutched in his hand. "Before you attempt to hurt me I'd suggest looking around." He said monotonously.

I glanced around and saw nothing out of the ordinary "What are y-" I stopped myself. I shot out of bed and tore off Sakura's blanket from the bed and was met with the spitting sight of Sparta particularly ticked off...only. "Where is she?" I demanded.

"Follow me." Itachi said.

I followed him obediently down the hall and to the backyard. I stared in shock.

Sakura was continuously laying blows on a tree. He face was flushed and her shirt was soaked in sweat. Her face screamed murderous intent as she started a combination of kicks and punches. I dragged my eyes to her shins and arms that were covered in black and blue bruises. "I left for a reason! What's the point of getting caught up again! $*!*" I stared wide-eyed at her curse. I'd never really heard her cuss before so it was quite the sight to see...uh sound to hear.

She let out a huff and leaned against the tree panting.

"Morning work out?" I teased.

She didn't react and continued to try to regulate her breathing. I began to approach her and she began to slowly slide down to the ground. I rushed forward concerned she was going to black out. I rested my hand on her sweaty back she sluggishly turned her heads toward me. "What're...you doing...here?" She gasped between gulps of air.

"I've been here for awhile." I replied. Her face lost it's blush and she seemed to pale.

"How...much did you..hear?" She demanded.

"Uh...'I left for a reason' was the first thing you said. Why?" I questioned.

"Thank goodness...N-No reason." She said, slowly standing. I glanced down at her arms and legs more closely. Her bruises were huge and obvious on her pale skin. Her knuckle were bleeding along with her right shin and her forearms were a complete mess of blood and splinters. How did I miss that part?

"And we have a party today. Fantastic." I said sarcastically.

"Ugh. I'm gonna go rip out all the splinters." She said, limping towards the house.

"I think not. I'm gonna tend to you're self-abuse and cancel or reschedule the party 'til a later date. I'm not letting you attend a party this banged up."

"You think wrong. I can where gloves over the the band-aids." She responded.

"That's beside the point. You're hurt, it's time for recuperation." I said firmly.

"That thought is flawed. I'm a fighter, remember? I'm used to pain." She shot back.

"I don't care what you are. You're going to let me take care of you." I ground out.

"Or what?" She challenged.

I let out a growl and slung her over my shoulder. She let out a shriek and I hauled her towards the house. She fought and squirmed trying to get out of my grip. She suddenly went limp and I nodded at the improvement in behavior.

"You're not the only one with some strength." I commented.

"Shut up." Was her rebuttal. I noticed how tired and fed up she sounded and knelt down on the ground planting her feet on the ground once again. I wrapped her arms around my neck (minding her wounds) and put my arms under her butt and stood up. She tensed and automatically wrapped her legs around my hips. I hiked her up higher so her arms were fully draped over my back.

I slowly climbed the stairs and swung the door open when I finally got to my room. I opened the bathroom door and set her down on the toilet. She was nodding off and I had to lightly slap her face to bring her back to reality. I let out a sigh and dug through a draw pulling a pair of tweezers out. I set them on the counter and ran a washcloth through cold water and began to dab it on her arms. I was amazed she didn't flinch or hiss at the stinging it should have caused.

I grabbed the tweezers and pulled out the first splinter, her nose crinkled at the sight of it coming out of her skin and adverted her eyes. When I finished with both of her arms I sprayed them with disinfectant and put band-aids and finally wrapped them up as well. I did the same with her shins except I skipped the band-aids and just wrapped them. I then pulled a mass amount of small splinters from her knuckles and put band-aids on those too.

I put the bloody washcloth down and grabbed a new one I put soap on it and ran it through the water. I gently washed Sakura's face telling her to 'close her eyes' and then rinsed and dried it as well. I ran the cloth down her neck and on her belly as well. "Stay." I commanded as I went and grabbed a clean shirt of mine.

I slowly reached for the bottom of her shirt upon returning and tentatively pulled it over her head. I ran the wet washcloth over her shoulders and down her back as well as drying her before putting my shirt over her head. She sluggishly put both of her arms through the proper holes and stood.

"Take off you shorts." I said. I wasn't about to do something so easily misunderstood.

She did and left them with her sweat soaked shirt. I picked her up and set her down again in the covers of my bed.

Sakura's POV

I was barely aware what was going on around me. I think Sasuke was tending to my wounds and then..I can't remember. I awoke in his bed with him holding a plate and cup of water towards me. I took the water and downed it in one go. I looked at the plate and slowly began nibbling on the piece of bread he had offered. Once I had finished eating I snuggled back under the covers and quickly fell asleep.

XxX

The second time I woke up Sasuke was at the desk, he turned towards me and asked if I broke anything. I lifted my arms and legs (with some difficulty) and told him I was just sore. He nodded and I slowly drifted back into sleep.

XxX

The third time I rose from my slumber I asked Sasuke what he did about the party. He cancelled it. I knew I wouldn't be able to escape tonight in my current state. I let out a heavy sigh and forced my arm to brush bag some hairs from my face.

"You don't need to be that disappointed, you know." Sasuke teased.

"Get over her and give me a massage. Now." I demanded.

He smirked and made his way over. I lazily turned over and let out a sigh when his hands expertly massaged and kneaded my muscles. He worked on my shoulder blades and slowly slide down my spinal cord and brushed by my ribs. I squealed and flipped back onto my back.

"Ticklish?" Came his dreaded question. He slowly brought his hands closer to my ribs and I grabbed his wrists. Despite my attempt he was still able to inch closer to my ribcage. I flexed my sore arms (wincing) but he kept getting closer. How was he stronger than me? A fighter who trained for years?

"St-Stop." I stuttered out.

His hands halted and I slowly released his wrists. I let out a relieved sigh, closing my eyes. Though they snapped back open when I felt something brushing my cheek. I stared up at Sasuke who was caressing my face. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, then cheek, and (hesitantly) my lips.

And even though I knew later it would complicate things and tear me apart...I kissed him back. When he pulled away he came back down and pecked me on the nose.

"I'm going to go make you some soup. I'll be back in 15."

Once he was gone I covered my eyes with the back of my hands. I wasn't crying. Nope now way. If my face looked wet it was an illusion. 'Cause I don't cry...

Though thoughts such as: 'how can I leave now?' and 'I really am, aren't I?'

What was I?

Completely and hopelessly in love with Sasuke.

Great.

Ugh. An update after a year? Sucks to be you! They'll come faster now that I've started having idea's again. Check out some of my other stories while you wait by going to the top left corner of this page and clicking on TasteLikePurple. Thanks so much for reading after my year of disappearance! Now review! (If you do I might put some more fluff and heartbreaking moments! ; )