Chapter 14: Some things never change

Sakura sat there, her head bowed while her thumb gently ran over Sasuke's. She had promised herself that she wouldn't cry, dammit! And she had kept to her word. She had barked orders at Naruto, and had fixed his most severe injuries, and granted, there had been a lot. She couldn't even list them all. Now, Naruto had gone to go visit Hinata, mumbling something about a 'promise' and 'trees'.

Sakura herself had no idea what he had been talking about, but she had accepted it mutely with a nod. Now it was just her and Sasuke, because Kakashi-sensei had been sent off on another mission, but he was supposed to be back by tomorrow.

Sighing, the petal-haired female gazed at Sasuke's peaceful face. Her stomach clenched; they had been so close, so very close, to loosing him, and even now, there was a chance that he might not make it. Sakura brought up her other hand and stuffed it into her mouth to muffle the sobs as tears spilled down her cheeks. If there was a God, then she prayed that Sasuke wouldn't die. She didn't think she would be able to handle it.

"Sakura-chan?" Flushing, Sakura turned to meet worried blue eyes staring at her from the doorway.

"Naruto," she murmured, and he walked over and opened his arms. She stood up, dropping Sasuke's hand, and he engulfed her into his arms in a brotherly hug as she cried into his shoulder. She began to attempt to talk, but Naruto quickly shushed her. Not only would talking distress her even more, he couldn't understand a word she was saying.

"Sakura-chan, you haven't been home in three days," Naruto began sternly, gently pulling her back by her shoulders, "You go home, grab something to eat and take a shower, then come back here." Sakura shook her head.

"Really, Naruto, I'm fine." She protested, and he gave her a 'do-I-look-that-stupid-to-you?' look. Blood rushed to her cheeks. "Sasuke-kun needs me."

"There are other medics around." Naruto said smoothly, and Sakura bowed her head, not admitting the fact that other women touching Sasuke set her stomach on fire. She didn't even want to think about the reason behind that.

"Fine." She muttered grudgingly, and she cast one more look at the sleeping Sasuke before exiting the room.

Sakura entered her and Sasuke's apartment, throwing the keys onto the table before taking a shower. Of course, she had done so at the Hospital, but there was nothing better than showering in your own house. The pink-haired female sighed as she shut off the water and wrapped a towel around herself. Sakura made what was easiest, ramen, looking behind her shoulder the entire time. She half-expected Naruto to break down her door and demand some of the yummy, soggy noodles. However, he didn't, and she was able to enjoy her dinner in semi-peace.

Sakura glanced at the clock and deemed an hour being away from the hospital was enough. So she got up, washing out her bowl quickly before putting on a black t-shirt with the words Haruno on the back in white, complete with the white circle, and black baggy capri's, similar to the ones she wore for missions. Sakura walked easily through the town, smiling at the people she knew as she made her way back to the hospital.

"Sakura-sama, what are you doing back here?" One of the medic's asked as he stared at her. "Your shift ended three hours ago." She smiled at the male.

"I'm not working, Akio-san," Sakura told him, smiling. (A/N- Akio means intelligent). "I'm here to visit a friend of mine."

"A boyfriend?" Her friend inquired, raising an eyebrow and smirking, causing Sakura to blush.

"Kami-sama, no!" She denied, laughing. "We're just friends." I think.

Akio winked. "Okay, if you say so, Sakura-sama."

"How many times must I ask you to call me Sakura-chan?" She asked exasperatedly, although they both knew that she was only joking.

"Just once more, Sakura-sama." He replied, smiling demurely. Sakura laughed again, shaking her head.

"Anyway, I'm off to see Sasuke-kun. Ja, Akio-san." With a wave, she left her male friend. Sakura opened the door to Sasuke's room and almost laughed once more. Naruto was seated in the chair she herself had been not an hour and a half ago. His head was tilted back, snoring loudly. Sakura was surprised that Sasuke hadn't woken up and punched his ass to Suna. She walked over to the blond and gently shook his shoulder. "Naruto…" She called softly. The blond jerked awake.

"Wuzzgoinon?" He slurred sleepily, his head looking about wildly. Sakura bit her lip to stop from howling in laughter.

"You fell asleep," she told him, and from trying to keep in the fit of giggles, it sounded as if she was choking, "so I think that it's YOUR turn to go home. Go to sleep, Naruto, I'm sure you need it."

The future Hokage shook his head as he rubbed his eyes with his fist and yawned, his incisors flashing. "I wanna be here when Sasuke-teme wakes up."

"Naruto, I'm sure that waking up from unconsciousness and having you pounce on him three seconds later isn't exactly high on his to-do list."

Naruto pouted cutely. "You're so mean, Sakura-chan!"

She grinned at him. "Never said I was nice." She countered. "Go home and sleep, Naruto. I'll come and get you if Sasuke-kun wakes up." Sighing, he complied.

"Ja Ne, Sakura-chan!" He called from the doorway. She waved, and once he was gone, Sakura stared at Sasuke, watching as the sheet lifted slightly as he inhaled and deflated when he exhaled. She sighed, and her hand crept to Sasuke's hair. She had washed it (with difficulty, mind you; Sasuke was no lightweight) when Naruto had dragged his almost-dead body into the hospital. It had been full of blood (and other body parts) causing Sakura to grimace, even now. She was glad that it was back to its original soft and silky feeling. Her hands stroked his hair, her mind going back to a time when she had been sick and Sasuke had been forced to take care of her. (A/N- Refer back to chapter 7 if you don't remember. Only this time, it's from Sakura's memory).

Sakura moaned softly as the colors blended together, causing her head to throb and her stomach to jerk. Once the walls stopped spinning, she was able to focus on her surroundings. A shock of black caught her attention, and Sakura looked down, her face softening. Sasuke was hunched over, his cheek resting on her blanket while he inhaled and exhaled softly. Sakura felt her hand twitch, and almost of its own accord, she started to stroke Sasuke's hair. She had never realized how…soft it was. Enjoying the feeling, she raked her nails across his scalp, causing Sasuke to sigh in contentment. Her heart almost burst with happiness, so she did it again, and that was when Sasuke awoke and the walls shut her away coldly.

Sakura repeated the action from so long ago, pulling gently on his hair, which twisted around her digits. This time, though, it didn't provoke a reaction. She sighed, her hand still buried in his hair.

"Please wake up, Sasuke-kun," she whispered. He didn't, though, and she sighed again, her hands moving to stroke his cheeks. His face remained impassive, just as it had so many other times. Her fingers gently moved over the ridges of his lips, and she blushed, returning them to his hair. "I wish you were awake." Sakura told him, smiling slightly. Perhaps now was the best time to tell him, because otherwise, he might just push her away.

Sasuke-kun's not like that any more! Inner Sakura protested, and her outer self agreed. But what had changed him, anyway? One day he was just totally ignoring her, glaring at her and telling her how much he detested her… and then the next day, he was still cold, but there was a type of longing there. It was almost as if he… he had been pushing her away but also wanted her near him.

Stupid girl, what are you thinking?! This is Sasuke we're talking about! He hates us!

He can't hate us that much if he kissed us before he left.

You're lucky he didn't knock you out or something, it would be something he would do.

Sakura scowled at the words of her inner self.

Still, what had caused the change? She fully intended to find out once Sasuke was awake.

Speaking of which…

Sakura chuckled. "I'm almost glad that you're not awake, Sasuke-kun. I'd probably be too much of a coward to tell you if you were," she glanced down at her hands, chuckling weakly. "Seeing you there, dying… it made me realize something. Something I've been trying to deny for years, but you're undeniable." Sakura frowned suddenly.

"I love you with all my heart." The weight from her chest seemed to release at these words. She had wanted to tell him for so long, and the thought that he might ever wake again for her to tell him how much she loved him, Kami, how much she would do for him… it ripped her apart. Sakura laughed bitterly. "And now you're dying, and you might never know how much… how much I want to be with you." She exhaled sharply. "I want to be with you forever, Sasuke-kun. Even though sometimes you act like a bastard, and God, you're so stubborn!" She laughed again, but choked on a sob towards the end, and suddenly, the tears were rolling down her cheeks again.

She hated crying, because it made her feel weak, so very, very weak. However, she couldn't help it. "I think that's why I love you so much, though. Because you are who you are. Even if you don't choose me to resurrect your clan with," just the mere thought made those tears fall faster, "then I won't mind. You deserve the happiness that you've been denied of for so long."

In a courageous move, she stood up, only to curl into the little space left beside him, laying her head on his chest and listening to the faintness of his heart beat, that little thread of hope that she had that he was still alive. She buried her nose into his shirt and inhaled. It smelled like him, like the fires that always seemed to be shooting from his mouth. Sakura never realized how much he was like fire; he burned you, with his words, those piercing eyes of his, the way he looked at you and made you feel an inch tall. Yet, sometimes, he was cooling embers, still hot enough to scald somewhat, but at least you were close enough to feel the warmth. Those embers were rare, though.

"I love you, Sasuke-kun." Sakura whispered, leaning up and kissing his cheek. "That will never change." She laid her head back onto his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist. Eventually, she fell asleep from the warmth his body omitted. Once she was slumbering, Sasuke cracked open an eye and glanced down at her. He smirked slightly, his hand coming up and toying with her hair, burying itself inside of the soft locks.

The words, "I love you with all my heart," brought a pang of nostalgia to him, but he ignored it. Because this time, he did not intend to leave her ever again.

---

Sakura woke up, blinking blearily as she assessed her surroundings. She felt warm… and this smell definitely didn't smell like her apartment. It took a moment to realize why; Sasuke's arm had crept around her waist and his legs were tangled up in hers. Her nose was buried in the junction where his neck and shoulder met, while his was buried in her hair. Sakura hissed out a curse. How was she supposed to get out now?!

She gently tried to pry off his hands, but he wasn't a ninja for nothing. She sighed, and slowly began to ease out of his grip. Sakura grinned. Almost there! Then, she felt a hand's grip tighten around her waist, and her chest was smashed against something hard as Sakura let out a squeal.

She looked up and emerald clashed with onyx. "Sasuke-kun," she breathed. "You're awake."

"Hn." He hummed, still staring at her. Sakura fidgeted slightly.

"Uhm, Sasuke-kun, I have to go home, I think."

"No you don't." She raised an eyebrow. "It's two in the morning. "

"I've been sleeping for that long?!" Sakura almost screeched, but managed to let it out as a harsh whisper. Sasuke smirked.

"Aa." He said. She stared at him before her medic training kicked in, and she tried to squirm out of his grasp.

"Come on, Sasuke-kun, I have to make sure you're okay!" She protested, attempting to get out of arms. They tightened in response.

"You can do that in the morning." He replied. Sakura glared at him, which he returned. His other arm snaked around her waist, and he smirked victoriously at her as Sakura's cheeks flamed red.

"What are you doing?" She whispered.

"What do you think I'm doing?" He asked smugly. Her cheeks, if possible, turned a darker shade.

"How long have you been awake?" She asked, changing the subject. He shrugged.

"A while." He answered vaguely, and Sakura glared at him again. Sasuke merely lifted an eyebrow, and was that some amusement shining in his eyes?

Pouting, she muttered, "So mean." His lips twitched upwards in a smirk.

"Go back to sleep, Sakura."

"I'm not tired." She said, and he glanced at her.

"Too bad." He told her, and he closed his eyes, burying his face into her hair. Sakura sighed in exasperation.

"Sasuke-kun, I can't breathe." She squealed when she was flipped around and her back was now pressed against his chest, his hands wrapped around her waist and resting comfortably on her stomach.

"Better?" He asked, and his hot breath on the shell of her ear made Sakura shiver.

"Yeah," she murmured, trying to control her breathing, which had begun to turn erratic. However, Sasuke's own breathing slowed, and eventually, Sakura's did too.

Just as promised, Sakura checked Sasuke over in the morning. Her hands run over his stomach, frowning as the chakra mended smaller wounds than what he had first come in with. Sasuke watched her with dark eyes that assessed her every movement, and the teen ignored his gaze while she worked on making sure that his bone wouldn't pop out or something while he walked.

"Sakura-san?" A voice called, and the petal-pink haired female turned at the sound of her name, smiling brilliantly.

"Akio-kun!" She greeted, and Sasuke's eye twitched.

What. The. Fuck. Did. She. Just. Call. Him?!

The man named Akio grinned and bowed. "Good morning, Sakura-san. I assume that this is your friend?" The other male turned and inclined his head at the last Uchiha. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at him, but Akio didn't seem to notice. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sasuke-san," he turned to Sakura, "You didn't specify what time you wanted me to pick you up later."

"Hmm," Sakura began, glancing at the clock and obviously calculating something, probably her schedule.

How does never sound? Sasuke thought scathingly.

"I get off at four thirty. Can you pick me up by six?" Akio nodded and smiled at her.

"Perfect, I get off at five." Sakura returned the gesture.

"If you like, I could wait for you." She offered, and Akio smiled. A little bit too happily for Sasuke's tastes.

"No, that's okay, Sakura-san. I'll just come pick you up at your apartment." Sakura nodded and smiled. "Okay then. Ja Sakura-san."

"Ja Ne Akio-kun!" She called after him, waving a little at his retreating back. Smiling and shaking her head, Sakura came face-to-face with one inwardly seething Uchiha. "Uhm, Sasuke-kun, is something the matter?"

He didn't answer her, only stared at her with those unfathomable onyx eyes, and just like so many times before, Sakura felt like she was drowning in them.

"Who was he?" Sasuke asked quietly, but to ones who knew him best, she could hear the fury laced in his tone.

"Just one of my friends. Why?"

"People don't date their friends, Sakura."

Perhaps he hadn't made it clear enough when he kissed her before he left that the idea of her dating other men disturbed him. Sasuke mused inwardly.

He remembered a time just like this, back in his own past. Sakura had been seeing some jackass named Makoto, and had Sasuke not been Sasuke, he would've ripped out his eyeballs every time he so much as looked at Sakura. Therefore, Sasuke was not having a little repeat of that performance. Not that he was jealous. Uchiha's DON'T get jealous. They do get pretty possessive of things that are theirs, though. And Sasuke was beginning to realize, just as what Sakura had said to him, (though she didn't realize that he had been awake) you can't deny the undeniable. So he didn't.

"It's not a date, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said, biting back the urge to stop her foot and cross her arms with a very childish, 'So there!'

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Could've fooled me." He deadpanned, and Sakura threw up her hands.

"You're impossible, do you know that?!" She hissed, and turned away. A hand snatched her wrist, and before she knew it, soft lips were searching hers.

Sakura closed her eyes, and Sasuke took advantage of the situation by placing her hands around his neck, where they buried in the little hairs along his nape.

"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura moaned, as Sasuke's lips trailed down to her neck. Sasuke smirked against her skin.

He was trying to make the best of the situation. And he had been sent down here to fix things, right? Well, the first time around, he had pushed Sakura away, fighting back the feelings he had for her. After all, he had never known what love was really like, besides with his mother, but that was totally different. The way Sakura had made him feel made him angry, because she was so loud and vibrant and annoying and who did she think she was, destroying his carefully constructed world made of walls and thorns and dead ends? He had learned his lesson the first time around; there was no way he was going to let such a thing happen again.

"Naruto!" Sakura gasped out, and the raven-haired male lifted his head, frowning. Why was she thinking of Naruto when it was Sasuke who was kissing her?! She must've noticed, because she elaborated hurriedly, "I told him I'd come get him when you woke up."

Semi-satisfied, he returned to marking her shoulder. "The dobe can wait." He murmured, and Sakura watched him for another moment with half-lidded eyes, basking in the feeling that this was Sasuke that was doing this. The boy that she had cared about her entire life, possibly even LOVED her entire life. And he was here, with her, kissing her.

Then, the questions from before rose up, and Sakura carefully pulled his hair up. "Wait, Sasuke-kun, I have to ask you something."

A soft, irritated sigh escaped Sasuke's lips, obviously a little mad that he had been torn away from his task. Sakura gave no inclination that she had heard him. "Sasuke-kun, when we were twelve, you hated me, remember?"

He inwardly winced and nodded. "Well, do you remember a day where you… you were more tolerant of me."

Oh no. Oh no no no, he did NOT like where this was going. But Sakura was stubborn, and she would want an answer. "Why was that?"

The last Uchiha sighed, sitting down on the bed. On one hand, he could tell her that he was from the future, a future that didn't include her. A future that had a serious Naruto who, he knew, had spent hours at a time staring at the Shinobi Memorial. Whenever Sasuke had passed it he would sometimes catch sight of the blond, hands tracing over the dull words of Haruno Sakura. A future that included a Kakashi that had been on time for something, where there were times where their former sensei looked at pink ribbon and the pain in his eye was intolerable.

On the other hand, he could tell her coldly that he had no idea what she was talking about, or that she should mind her own business, and he could turn his back to her, just as he had done so many other times before. Sasuke knew that that would break her heart, though, and he had no intention of loosing her to that idiot Akio.

"I'll tell you, just… not now." He murmured finally, his head bowed so that he stared at the floor. Suddenly, he felt a warmth that engulfed him, and Sakura straddled him, holding his chin firmly while her green irises burned into his violet ones.

"Then that's good enough for me." She told him, and tilted her head, kissing him gently before pulling back. Sasuke smirked and brushed his lips against hers. Sakura giggled and got up. "Sorry Sasuke-kun, no can do. I've got to go visit Naruto, remember?" She waggled a finger at him, although there was an amused glint in her eyes. "I'll stop by later, though, and bring you the clothes from… our apartment." She blushed softly, and Sasuke's smirk widened, his possessive side roaring in agreement to her last words words.

"Hn." Sasuke muttered, and Sakura smiled tentatively at him.

"Ja, Sasuke-kun." She said, before leaving. Sasuke chuckled to himself as he laid down on the bed. This was turning out better than he could have ever hoped for.

----

"Naruto?" Sakura knocked on the door. No answer, so she knocked again. "Naruto! Wake UP!" The door was flung open by a grinning blond, radiating happiness. Sakura blinked. "Uh, you told me to come get you when Sasuke-kun awoke."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I did." A raven-haired female appeared at Naruto's side, and she smiled at Sakura.

"Hi, Sakura-chan," She greeted, and the jade-eyed female smiled at her friend.

"Hey, Hinata-chan." She pulled the other girl into a hug, but felt something digging into her back. Sakura pulled away, frowning, and something glinted. She looked at the two of them, the wheels in her head spinning. The pressing of the object, Naruto's overly happy attitude. "Are you guys…?"

Naruto nodded once more, grinning so wide that it looked as if his face was going to split apart. "Dattebayo! Hinata-chan and I are going to get married!"

Dedication: Christina! Happy birthday my love! Haha, that's my cousin . If you've ever read Surprise by xBrokenxAngelxWings (formerly known as Invisible1withnofaith) then you would probably know her. I write the story, but she gave me her penname to use it for. So her new penname is Untainted Celestial Goddess. I suggest everyone PM her and wish her a VERY happy birthday.

A/N- Oh yeah, I KICK ASS! I set my goal for Sunday, and right now, it may be 1:33 in the morning, so I guess this counts as Saturday. But I still think of it as Friday XD. So yeah, I feel pretty special right now. Despite the fact I think I'm getting a cold. Rawr! Don't expect another update to come as fast as this one did. Not unless something amazing happens. Though I do have delayed openings these next two weeks, so you guys might get your miracle. Oh, and about the part with Naruto and Hinata, if you remember from the last chapter, he promised the unconcious Sasuke that when they got back to Konoha, Naruto was going to give Hinata a big hug AND PROPOSE TO HER.

So, Melissa is VERY happy. And for those that have read the newest manga chapter, I'm sure you know why XD. Plus, oh my God, 251 reviews? I think I'll kidnap and huggle you all, now. Keep 'em coming! Anyway, I believe I've rambled enough now. Hope you guys enjoyed the major fluff, and I ish SO sowwy if you think Sasu-chan is a wee bit too OOC. Review and I'll give you chocolate chip cookies! Mmm, you know you want some.