Chapter Twenty-Six

Immune to Uchiha Irritation

I walked into his room to find him awake. I ran to him and threw myself into his arms tears filling my eyes.

No, seriously that didn't happen. Sorry, but my days of running to Sasuke Uchiha were over. He had just slipped into the covers when I came in. I walked closer to his bed.

"So, you're awake." I stated scrutinizing him for any further problems.

"Where am I?" He asked me groggily.

"You're home."

"As in Kohona?" I nodded and he frowned. "I don't remember coming here."

It was my turn to frown. I didn't like the sound of that. Had I missed something when I was healing him? Something potentially fatal? "What is the last thing you remember?"

"Searching for you."

My heart paused in it's beating. "Why?"

He didn't reply and I found myself angry although I shouldn't have been. I rolled my eyes and let my chakra search him for any injuries I may have missed. I found none in his torso so I moved to his head trying to figure out why some of his memories were gone. I quickly found the problem and healed him. When I finished I stepped back.

"You should rest. You've had a rough couple of months. I healed the major damage but you still shouldn't be moving around much. It will actually be a while before you can do much moving."

He stared at me with an intensity that I had never seen from him before. It made heat flow through my body remembering us together.

"I remember."

"Remember what?" I asked a little breathlessly.

"Why I was searching for you."

And here I thought he was just being his normal vague self.

Flashback

The wind was howling fiercely outside as he lay in the bed of a cheap inn. It blew so hard the windows shuddered with the force of it. Another false lead on the where about of his brother yet he couldn't find it in himself to be frustrated. His mind was constantly wandering back to her. She didn't smile much anymore and her eyes were filled with something familiar. He lay there trying to put his finer on it. It wasn't long before it came to him. Pain. Her eyes were filled with so much pain they mirrored his own.

Two months had passed since he had left Sakura behind. Two long months of regret. Sasuke Uchiha did not regret and yet it seemed that he did. He felt this pain in his chest that he couldn't understand. He only knew that it intensified when he thought about her. Their last conversation replayed in his head.

"You can walk out of here in an angry huff because I don't understand your pain and that's fine. You can go fulfill your desire for revenge and that's fine. Don't expect me to wait for you though because I have needs Sasuke. There are plenty of men out there willing to meet them if you won't."

Plenty of men out there.

Plenty.

Anger clouded his vision. No. Sakura belonged with him and no other. He, he loved her.

His eyes became round at the realization. He knew he loved her but now he knew…

He loved her more than anything.

He loved her more than he loved breathing.

He loved her more than revenge.

He sat and brooded over his realization and decided it was time to let go of the past and embrace his future. Sakura. He had to see her. Now. Yesterday. Two months ago.

So, it was that day that Sasuke set off to find Sakura. To tell her that he was wrong. To claim her as his own.

He slipped into her apartment that was engulfed in darkness and made his way to her bedroom. He knew then that she had to have been serious about him not returning because she always left a small light burning for him. This was not going to be an easy task.

The silhouette of her still form greeted him. "Sakura." He said softly approaching her bed. He lowered his body down onto the bed and reached out and touched her hair. Just then moonlight spilled into the room and onto her face. His hand froze at what he saw.

A shrill scream filled the air.

"What is it with beautiful men breaking in here?" She screeched and threw her pillow at him, then her vase. At that point Sasuke thought it would be a good idea if he just left.

Thus, began his search for Sakura. Had she left the village again? Was she that desperate to escape home? He began to covertly search Naruto's apartment. Surely, he had to know something about her sudden disappearance. If Naruto didn't know then he doubted if anyone did. It didn't take long for him to realize that she had been allowed to leave the village. He came across one of the letters that Naruto had left laying about explaining why she was leaving in the first place. He frowned as he read the letter. He had no idea that she was hurting as much as she was. Sure she had left home once before but she came come with him and that made it okay. Guilt began to gnaw at him. He couldn't help but feel responsible for Sakura. Somewhere along the way he had made her his responsibility, as long as she wasn't interfering with his revenge, that is.

It took him a while, over a year really, but he did find her. She wasn't a hard woman to track down with her distinctive hair color. She was in the marketplace of a little village when he found her. She had done it again. She had cut her hair shorter than it already was. He didn't care for it but he had to admit that it fit her. He watched her as she stood at a fruit stand haggling with an old woman over prices. He suddenly felt a pain in his chest that almost made him fall to his knees. He shook it off and started to approach her but suddenly she wasn't alone. He watched as a familiar figure approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. She didn't look the least bit surprised at the intrusion. Instead she turned her head and looked over her shoulder and greeted him with a warm smile. It was ironic really with all his trying to find his brother, he was right here with his woman. She said something to him that he couldn't hear and he released her turning her around and sealed his lips against hers.

The pain in his chest intensified so much that he momentarily couldn't see. His brother pulled away from her and began to lead her away. He turned suddenly and looked him directly in the eye. Sharingan activated. A threat shone in his eyes. He took another step closer but found that the closer he moved to her the more the pain intensified. "Sakura." He thought he yelled but it fell on deaf ears. He cursed Itachi silently. This had to be his doing. Trying to keep him away from her. He made an attempt to follow but he could not.

The pain.

It was overwhelming.

It was too much.

So he left, he didn't know where he was headed but he eventually found himself at the gates of Kohona. He noticed that all movement stopped when eyes started to fall upon him.

He couldn't move another step. The pain was too intense even for him. His vision started to grow dim. Sasuke fell to his knees his head bowed his body hurting but his heart hurting more.

The last thing that he was heard to say was something about cherry blossoms and weasels.

"I was searching for you because I realized, that you were right. Revenge was not going to make me happy. The one thing that did, I left behind."

I bit my bottom lip. Was he talking about me?

"So you're home for good?"

"If that is what you want."

I looked at him. A part of me wanted to scream and jump for joy. He had come home. He had come home for me. In the end Sasuke Uchiha had chosen Sakura Haruno.

Then why wasn't I jumping for joy? What was holding me back? I think it was fear. I was afraid of so much. Getting what you want was supposed to be sweet. Yet my heart was full of dread of what this could mean for me. For us. For Itachi.

"Really, Sasuke. And how do I know in the end you won't hate me. You're whole life has been dedicated to revenge that you never achieved. All that time wasted. Am I to expect that you have let that go so easily? If Itachi entered this village right now--"

"Then I would kill him because the only reason why he'd be here is for you." I looked at him stunned. He knew. He knew about Itachi and I. "I told you before that you were mine that you belonged to me and that was a lie. I know that now. The truth is I belong to you." Apparently he wasn't going to make it easy for me. His words made tears spring to my eyes. "And I will do whatever it takes for you to understand that Sakura. Whatever it takes."

"Sasuke, I care about Itachi. I--"

"I don't care. You can feel whatever you want for him as long as you love me. Just love me Sakura." Give in. My heart screamed. Just let go!

"It's not that simple Sasuke."

"Then what do I need to do to simply things?"

"I love you Sasuke. I've always loved you but you walked out on me a year ago. Hell, you walked out on me twice but Itachi didn't. He's been here for me every step of the way. He's with me when I need him. I can depend on him. I'm not going to let you walk back into my life to leave again. My heart can't take it Sasuke. I can't do it again."

"I'm not going to leave you Sakura."

"I don't believe you!" I wailed. "Actions speak louder than words Sasuke and your actions have told one hell of a story."

"I have only done what I felt I needed to do. I have never lied to you Sakura."

"I know." Tears started to pour down my cheeks. I hated him for making me cry. For making me feel weak. "I'm afraid that's going to change. Right now all I can think is better the devil I know."

"He's a cold blooded murderer Sakura."

"I know but he's a cold blooded murderer that has a soft spot for a certain pink haired kunoichi."

"And he'll turn on you once that soft spot is gone. Are you honestly telling me you're choosing him over me?"

"No. I'm saying I don't trust you with my heart anymore and maybe I like to live dangerously."

"Then what do I have to do to gain your trust Sakura because I'll be damned before I let you go now."

The door slowly opened. Naruto slipped in and closed the door behind him.

"You guys are kind of loud and since this is a hospital and all-"

"It's okay Naruto." I said. "I was just leaving."

Sasuke began standing up. "Wait Sakura. Don't leave."

"You should probably rest Sasuke. You aren't completely well yet." I said then walked out the door.

The door closed softly behind her and Sasuke collapsed back onto the bed. Naruto looked at him. "She was so happy when she came back Sasuke. I haven't seen joy like that in her eyes in years. Don't mess with her head."

"Hn."

"I'm serious Sasuke or I'll kill you myself and I don't go back on my word."

"What are you doing out here?" I wasn't doing much of anything. Just wandering around enjoying the sting of the cold.

I looked at Kakashi. "How'd you know where to find me?"

He shrugged. "I had looked everywhere else." I looked around our old training grounds. I don't know what made me go there. Maybe it was because it reminded me of old times. "You doing okay?"

"I'm fine."

"I heard about you and Sasuke."

I pulled my cloak a little tighter around me. Suddenly it got a bit colder. "Yeah, I imagine a lot of people have heard about that."

"Sasuke said he thinks Itachi put some sort of jutsu on him when they crossed paths."

"He didn't."

"Oh? It sounds like something he would do." I nodded agreeing.

"I know, but it was me, although it wouldn't surprise me if he knew about it. I certainly didn't."

"You?"

"Yeah, I'll explain some other time." Not really wanting to get into the complexity of my kekkai genkai.

"Still glad to be home?"

"Believe it or not. Yes, I am." And I was. I missed my friends. My family. Being home was a good thing. It was a decision that I could not find it in my heart to regret. Even if coming home had it's problems.

"Sakura."

"Is this where you give me advice Kakashi?"

"Mm. Yes it is. You ready to listen?"

"I suppose."

"I want to first start off by saying I do not approve of your relationship with Itachi, however, the bastard must not be all that bad if you see something in him. I don't know if you love him or not, seeming as though you won't answer that question, but if you choose to be with him then I will help you." He paused letting my mind wrap around his words. A small smile touched my lips at his support. "Does he make you happy?"

"He does."

"Sasuke." Kakashi sighed changing the subject back to the object of my affection. "The Hokage is planning on sentencing him once he is released from the hospital."

"I figured as much. I have to talk to her before she does that."

"Really? Why?"

"To tell her that he's suffered enough. She needs to know that it was Kohona's own that put him in that state that he came home in. I pretty much tortured him for almost a year. It doesn't get any worse than that. I think death would have been better than what he endured. I want her to take that into consideration."

"Sakura, I know you don't want to hear this"

"So don't say it." I interjected quickly.

"but I think you should give Sasuke a chance. He would make you happy if you give him a chance."

"Kakashi, it's not that I don't think he could. In fact, I know he could. I'm just not ready to put my heart on the line again for him to trample over."

"I have no intention of trampling over your heart."

I turned at the sound of the voice. Shock covered my features at seeing him barely standing behind me. "Sasuke! What are you doing? You shouldn't be out of bed." I rushed over to him wrapping my arms around him so he could lean on me. "You idiot. Are you trying to delay your recovery?"

"I had to find you." He said as if that excused everything.

"And where did you get these clothes? I deliberately made sure you were naked" Sasuke smirked. "so you wouldn't pull any stunts like this." His legs went out from under him and he would have fallen it I hadn't caught him. "This is exactly what I'm talking about!" I picked him up in my arms bridal style. I heard Kakashi start laughing.

"Sakura, put me down." Sasuke growled.

"Make me. Besides you brought this on yourself. I wouldn't have had to do this if you hadn't made me."

"Sakura!"

He said angrily but I ignored him and marched to the hospital with a weakened Uchiha in my arms.

"Sorry, but I'm immune to Uchiha irritation so deal with it."

And the laughter of one Copy Ninja continued to ring in the air.