Thank you for your review: sage, guest, Ayu Cherry, skipbeataddict, Shadow Queen Darkness Warrior! I love you!

As an answer for the review of sage: This story doesn't have that much reviews, right? It's ok...it could have been less...In fact I am quite pleased now! Anyway I love each and every one review I got and thank you all for that. I am so glad you liked the story so far and I hope you will all continue reading it!

Do you really think so?(about the Naruto chapter comparison I mean...:P) I am honored for that to say the least! I am also proud(:P) to say that action will come again into the picture. And some more drama...and some romance...I hope you will continue reading and reviewing. Thank you very much for your support!

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Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto characters only the plot of the story

The Revival of The Clan

Chapter 21

~Haruno Sakura~

Two long and semi-quiet days past. Another two and I would be discharged from the hospital at last. Tsunade-sama and Sakura were very strict. I had to be completely and utterly healed to roam free in the streets of the village again. Why on earth did they make that sound as a threat? At any rate, my friends always were around to make me feel better. Sometimes it was Hinata, sometimes Sakura, sometimes even my 'entire' Team kept me company. It felt so good. They could bring a smile to my face again; it was comfortable again... After so many years my heart didn't feel utterly frozen. But, something was always missing and that wasn't the vision of my right eye...

A sunny afternoon I was with Sakura in my room as always. The room was comfortable, bright, tidy and clean, even though my flowers and gifts had already started to form a small pile. Sakura and I always had so much fun together. We used to talk about many things, some important and some less significant. She was smiling and most of the time, I was smiling as well. We used to talk about our previous mission a lot. We never actually had the chance to talk about it during the time we were in the Land of Spring. Sakura faced many 'adventures' as well. She was Naruto's roommate after all. The blond menace apparently caused a lot of trouble for the kunoichi.

We spent a lot of time talking about Naruto's foolishness, much to our pleasure and entertainment. For example Sakura told me that she had a hard time making the Jinchuriki realize that she wasn't going to actually sleep on the same bed with him. Of course Naruto didn't mean anything more, since he started having a very good time with the shy Hinata even before the mission. Sakura was adamant though. Poor Naruto must have suffered a lot of bone fractures. I admit he wasn't easy to deal with sometimes, but Naruto had a talent at making you feel nice and comfortable. I knew Sakura and Naruto shared a deep bond of friendship and love. It was nice having them in your team. Sakura very much liked to 'complain' about our beloved goofy-Naruto though.

However, the said 'bed-incident' made me feel like slapping myself. My roommate and I did not face that kind of problem after all. In any case, I decided not to talk about it. I wholeheartedly enjoyed learning about 'Naruto's and Sakura's misfortunes'. I always spent a wonderful time with Sakura. My genuine smile was the solid evidence.

Despite out laughter and enjoyment there was still a heavy burden within. None talked about it, none ever mentioned it, none ever showed it. But, we both knew what caused the constant and painful emptiness in our hearts.

While we were in my room this time, this particular afternoon, there was a silence that demanded us to break it. This was the first time we had nothing to talk about. Nothing came to mind, even though we could discuss almost everything. For a while none of us took the first step to ease the tense atmosphere around us.

Our breaths could be heard in between the little noises from the medical equipment, the steps of those walking outside and the occasional voices from the window. Our moves could easily cause slight changes on the environment, or more precisely the sentiments our environment was emitting. It was cold and yet warm, uncomfortable and yet comfortable, silent and yet loud in our hearts and minds. It felt awkward for the first time.

"He will come back soon." Her gentle voice said all of a sudden, breaking that suffocating silence. I inhaled deeply still lying on my bed, while Sakura was seated on a nearby chair.

"Hm...Who?" I casually asked while setting my eyes -ok...not eyes, but eye- on her. Sakura's orbs were focused on her hands and after a while on...practically nowhere.

"I know you miss him. I do too." Sakura said lowly with her head still down. There was a pause again. I slightly clenched my hands, taking a grip of the sheets in my palm. I could almost feel my nails on my skin. Now I bowed my head as well.

"Is he all right?" I asked eventually, trying to trap the overwhelming emotions inside me.

"Yes, of course he is…"Sakura started after taking a deep breath. "When we came back and they eventually fixed his eyes he said he wanted some time to think. Tsunade-sama was understanding and tolerant, so she gave him some time away from here. He said he will come back in a few days, otherwise they wouldn't let him. Many people still don't trust him mind you. But, this time things are different. He needed a break... and most of us knew..." I nodded. She was right…he needed to get away from all this.

"Aelia…"Sakura now was looking straight at me. "I didn't mean that Sasuke needed a break from you, or that you are the cause of him leaving the village. I know you think that…" I once again was silent. "Actually…I believe things will be better from now on, for both of you." Her words touched me deeply inside, even though I didn't really want to admit it.

"Do you really think so, Sakura?" I was looking at her with a questioning look. "You don't have to hurt yourself, you know..." I finally stated. My knuckles were white from the pressure I put on my hands.

"What do you mean Aelia?" Her emerald orbs were focused on me, trying to decipher my words and the underlying meaning they held.

"Look…I know that you love Sasuke for a long time and I also know that you are afraid…of my…existence…"I paused to take a long and deep breath. "I won't lie to you…I think I love Sasuke…And I am sure that Tsunade-sama told you about the plan…for that... revival…" Sakura was staring at me but she did not answer or respond in any way.

"I consider you my friend Sakura; I don't want to hurt you. I know you love him deeply…I have no intention of stealing Sasuke from you. He doesn't even like me. In fact, he hates me." I inhaled again from the bottoms of my lungs. "That's why I will step back…not that I have made a step towards anywhere but, I won't let you suffer. Sasuke deserves a girl who loves him unconditionally. You deserve the man of your heart. I won't be any kind of obstacle. It doesn't matter that I have Uchiha blood." I stated looking at her intensely.

"Sasuke can revive the clan perfectly well with you. Plus, he did say he better die that reviving the clan with someone like me. Do not worry." I forced a smile to appear on my face directing towards the pink –haired girl who seemed lost in her thoughts. Then surprisingly Sakura's jade eyes glimmered and looked watery and tired. Soon enough she started crying and I had no way to stop this.

"You are so silly..." he said between her honest tears that kept rolling down her cheeks.

"Ha?" I asked still puzzled and perplexed for what I was supposed to do now.

"You are so silly, you hear?"She yelled at me now.

"Sasuke…Sasuke-kun likes you more than you could ever know and not because of your clan. I knew...I knew that he likes...he was interested in you from the start. The way he was looking at you…it wasn't normal. I have never seen him like that…Sasuke was actually interested...He actually wanted to know you, to understand you!" Sakura started while sobbing loudly.

"I knew…and the last day at the hotel he seemed so happy! He didn't show it, but I knew. I knew you were the one Aelia. You are so sweet and kind, but at the same time you were strong. You didn't hit on him, you weren't infatuated, you were strong-willed, powerful, capable and independent. In a few words nothing like I was back then and definitely what Sasuke is looking for in a woman apparently." I was just like a statue, no expression and no movement whatsoever.

"To you it seemed like he was mocking you, but in truth he didn't know how to react to that feeling. I don't know if you liked him at the beginning but after a while I could catch your glances. I admit I felt jealousy, I even thought to make you look ridiculous in front of him, just to take away his attention from you, but every single time I tried you were proving that you are indeed trustworthy and capable. You were proving to be independent and well... not-Sakura I suppose." She paused to take a breath, letting her gaze fall on the floor.

"Plus, you are the only girl Sasuke has actually taken interest on. That is a first. The day Sasuke found out about you…when I saw those flames I was almost completely sure that…He would be delighted and I would be alone and heartbroken again. Instead he ran away and said some terrible things. Kakashi had already told us about you just before we learned you were kidnapped. I knew I lost Sasuke forever anyway though. Tsunade-sama was sure I would think rationally in the end. She was right." Sakura stopped for a moment and stared at me.

"Isn't it ironic? The only girl Sasuke has taken any interest on, was one that was forced to abandon every single pleasant sentiment just like he made himself do, and she 'happens' to be the only one left from his so loved Clan..." Sakura chuckled a little. I tried to talk but she waved her hand to stop me.

"If there was any person I would gladly 'allow' to have Sasuke knowing he is in good hands…that would be you Aelia…even though I don't know you for that long I am sure that's the right thing to do." Sakura stated decisively. I was shocked to say the least.

"Sakura I…"

"That's why…"she interrupted me. "That's why I am never going to let you abandon Sasuke. I have promised myself that I would help you get together with all my power. This is a heart breaking decision indeed, and I honestly have no idea if I am going to be able to even take it, but I am not the one Sasuke wants and I am honestly tired of waiting for him even if I do like him so much…." I was speechless at her statement. A single tear left her emerald eyes again and now my eyes copied the same action.

"When he came to save you…when he realized you were taken…he changed..." the girl now was almost whispering to me. "Sasuke was furious and it was painful for him…he felt guilty I am sure…He cares for you no matter what he said, no matter what he showed. He is Sasuke after all. When he was holding you in his arms, when he was protecting you his eyes were priceless…he was happy Aelia…you made Sasuke happy. I always tried for that but to no avail, so I know this time he was happy and in a way relieved, but truly and utterly worried for none other than you."

And once again that heart –breaking silence…

"Sakura I don't think that-..."

"It is true no matter what you believe…If I have to force it in your head then I will. You are the one for Sasuke, so I am not giving you another choice young lady!" she threatened while clenching her fists. I faintly smiled at her.

"Sakura…thank you…thank you for your trust but I can't do that…I am sorry." Sakura's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I won't let you sacrifice your happiness. And in any case, if all those things you said were true he wouldn't have left" Sakura took a deep breath and sighed.

"You said you love Sasuke, right?" he inquired but I did not answer. I simply averted my gaze. "If that is true then you own it to yourself, to Sasuke and to your clan to be together! That's what I believe! And I also believe he left to make himself realize that big decision. He is about to make a huge step. Can you blame him? I am sure you know what happened to Sasuke all that time..." Her meaningful glare rendered me unable to react in any way.

"He didn't leave to get away from you, the exact opposite; he left to be with you...to calm his feelings and get into his head what exactly is going on! Sasuke never was into that kind of stuff..." She inhaled. "But then again neither were you, right Aelia?" Sakura inquired while looking at me the entire time. I felt her emerald pools locked on my brown eye, trying to derive answers, some kind of reaction. It felt like she had access deep within myself, but I did not felt like I was intruded. The exact opposite actually...It felt soothing in a way. Suddenly, Sakura came to sit on the bed next to me, while taking my hand in hers.

"I am not sacrificing anything. I never had Sasuke to begin with. I don't care what it takes! My goal now it to get you two together and that's final, no matter what you say or even what my broken heart demands. I want you to be happy and there is only one way for that."

"Sakura…" I managed to say and we both whimpered.

"Look...If you deny that feeling you both have I am never ever going to forgive you. You have everything I cannot have. You can have everything I always wished to have. You can have Uchiha Sasuke. Don't back away. I swear I am not going to forgive you if your actions ridicule my dream! It will be a spit on my face. I will hunt you down if you step back, be sure of it!" Sakura's words were threatening. Her tone was not gentle, not even a little bit.

It would be a spit on her face if I deny my feelings she says...What feelings? What on earth is happening. It can't be that Sasuke actually cares, right? The only thing I could do was to give a warm hug to that girl. To hug my dear friend that is now in pain because of me. The surprising thing is that she hugged me back, gently brushing my flowing hair.

"Sakura…what are you going to do now? This is not right for-.." I asked her lowly. My words were a soft whisper.

"Hm. I am a big girl, you know. I will figure something out..." She answered still on my arms.

"I...I promise to be there for you for everything you need. I may be not much of a help, but I certainly swear to try, Sakura. I am sorry things turned out like that..." I stated while both our tears were gently falling.

"Thank you, Aelia. I promise to be by your side as well. And don't be sorry. You are my only chance to see Sasuke happy at last..." We both inhaled.

"You do love him, right?" I asked.

"I think we can sympathize with each other..." She almost chuckled.

"Do you think I deserve him?" I finally asked. "You are in love with him for so long. I don't deserve your kindness either."

"Don't be silly...Yes, I love him, I always did love him and he tried to kill me. I love him Aelia, but you have suffered as well. You can understand his pain better than anyone else. It's your duty to do so. It's your duty to serve in Sasuke's side. You are the only one who can soften his heart now..."

.:xxxxOOxxxx:.

I had to take a walk…I had to think…What Sakura said…was it true? It's too good to be true… What am I supposed to do?

Sasuke, where are you? I want to see your face again. I want to tell you how I feel. Where are you Sasuke?

I was walking around the hospital...that's all I was allowed. The Konoha hospital was big enough to wander around freely. I was thinking…things have changed and things are about to change. I have friends now, I have real friends… I am in love with someone now and honestly it hurts. I want to see him again. I hope the things Sakura said were true…How much I want them to be true… I was ready to abandon my feelings, to fall back, but she gave me hope that Sasuke actually cares, even just a little bit. She sacrificed herself for my happiness.

But, that can't be true, right? Sasuke can't be interested in me. He said I was filth and that he doesn't want to revive the clan with me. He called me bastard...Then again...he came, didn't he? He saved me...He stood up for me. Was it a lie? I have to know!

I was walking to no end, with no destination, just walking. I want to see his smile again, his dark eyes, to sense him next to me. I so want to see him. I am pathetic…that wasn't me…needing another person to survive. I am alone, right? Wait…that was long ago…I have friends…I have a team…I am not alone.

After a while I ended up without realizing at the playground of the hospital, for the younger patients. I stopped for a second but I decided at last to sit on a red swing. I started moving just slightly. I started to reminiscence... I remembered: When I was sick, years ago, my mother brought me here because I was bored in my room. We had so much fun. Our identical hair flowing around as we moved around, as I was jumping down from my swing. Our faces so same and yet different were happy back them. We radiated our blissfulness then. She wanted me to smile and forget my illness. It wasn't a big deal, but I had to stay in the hospital just to be safe. It was so nice having my mother with me. I miss her so much…

Now I was swinging and swinging like a 6-year-old, but my hair did not flow, did not trace behind me as I moved. My lips weren't forming a wide smile now...no...not even a hint of smile was plastered on my face. Only the burden of my existence. I did not have the life force I had so many years ago, when my mother was alive and well. My eighteen-years-old self was drained and void in so many ways.

It's been years since I last sat on a swing. My eyes were fixated on the ground. I was watching my shadow moving around and from the color of the grass I knew the sun was about to hide again in order to reappear on the morning sky. I couldn't decide if I liked this time of the day or not. It was serene, quiet, calm but at the same time it indicated that the dark night will come again. I used to like the night sky with the breath-taking stars, but the last years of my life I hated the dark. It only brought me nightmares or life-threatening missions.

"Shouldn't you be at your room?" A masculine voice asked interrupting my thoughts. I was looking at the ground; I couldn't see who it was…. But that voice….I knew that cold but steady voice. And this shadow form that just now became visible. That can't be…It's another dream. That can't be him. I slowly set my only working eye to the voice.

"Sasuke?"

Author's note: Long chapter after a long time...What do you think? Sakura was being quite nice...I think both girls are in predicament right now...Sasuke came at last or is it just a dream? Where is Sasuke? Where did he go? Why did he left? You are about to learn soon...:)

Could you please tell me what you think about this chapter? Pretty please?

Please do not forget to review and thanks for reading!