Hey I'm back! Nice to see you guys again ^_^

Hope I didn't take too long. Here's the next chapter of DTBT!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Previously:

"If I didn't care about you… I wouldn't have come back." She said with a shaky voice. "I came back in hopes of us being a happy family again…. Even with our father who I hope had changed.."

"Yeah you came back…Just when father is gone…"

Sakura's eyes widened. "What…."

"Father…is gone." Anika told her. Sakura couldn't believe what she said. All this turn of events….it was too much for her. Suddenly she felt dizzy and started to feel weak.

Then everything turned black.

Chapter 26: Simple life.

It was seven in the evening and Sakura lay on a mattress in another room in the hut. She has fallen unconscious and Sasuke came in time to carry her. Her mother said she'll be ok and just needed more rest, much to his relief.

Sasuke rests against the window, his hands in his pockets and watches Sakura on the mattress. He watches her steady breathing and sighs. He looks outside the window, admiring the scenery when someone knocks on the door and Anika slowly enters.

"Can I come in?" She asked in a little voice and Sasuke simply nodded. Anika closed the door behind her and stares at her sister on the mattress. She sighs and bites her lip and hesitates to look at Sasuke who was just staring outside.

"Look, I promise I didn't-"

"I'm not blaming you for anything." Sasuke cut her off in a steady voice, still not looking at her. Anika paused and there was silence.

"Are you mad?" Anika suddenly asked. Sasuke's eyes looked in her direction but he soon resumed staring outside again.

"What do you think?" He replied. Anika wasn't sure if it was sarcastic or a rhetorical question or something but it does make her feel more anxious and loss for words. She stood there with her hands in front of her and was looking at the floor when Sasuke sighed and turned his back, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets like earlier.

"But it would help if you would tell me what happened." He stated and cocked his head to the side to stare at her. Anika hesitantly looked up and even if his eyes were breathtaking, his cold stare gave her Goosebumps instead.

"Well….what happened was…" Anika stammered. Sasuke raised a brow and sighed. Guess he must have been too cold and should just make her feel calm. She is Sakura's sister after all.

"Look, no need to be scared." Sasuke told her. "Just calm down and tell me what happened." He said calmly which seemed to help. He motioned for Anika to sit down which she did. She fidgeted with her fingers and told him what happened. Sasuke showed no emotion while listening but focused at their quarrel.

"Why did you act like that to your sister?" Sasuke suddenly asked and Anika bit her lip.

"I told you I hated what she did so…I couldn't…accept her back."

"But you do know why she did it right?" Sasuke asked again and Anika nodded.

"But that doesn't mean she should leave us behind." She replied and Sasuke just nodded. He stood up properly and walked a few steps in front of her.

"Tell me Anika." Sasuke said in a business like voice, which he only used in serious matters. But Anika doesn't know that. "If you were in Sakura's place, what would you have done?"

He paused in front of her and waited for her answer. Anika breathed in deeply and gained the strength to answer his question.

"I would have stayed and ran off with my mother and her." She replied in the strongest voice she can muster. "Even if my mother disagrees, I'll convince her to go."

"What if she doesn't?"

"I won't leave without her." She replied bluntly and Sasuke stared at her at the corner of his eye.

"Then you would be dead by now." Sasuke answered simply and Anika raised her brows, somehow feeling insulted.

"How would you know?" She glared a bit at Sasuke who just ignored it. He sighed and turned to face her directly.

"You do know your father can kill Sakura at that time." Sasuke told her. "Be more realistic. Don't you think Sakura could have thought of the same thing?" Sasuke told her and she just stayed quiet, listening to his words.

"If she stayed and your mother refused to go, which makes her escape delayed; do you think she'll still be alive?" Sasuke raised a brow. "If she stayed, she dies." Sasuke had to choke out that word a bit since he didn't want it associated with Sakura."And if she dies, you and your mother die as well without her."

Anika stays quiet but nods, not sure of what to say.

"Have you ever thought of what Sakura felt instead of focusing on your own feelings?" Sasuke asks. "She has experienced the worst pain. You should have understood her."

Anika stays quiet and bites her lip. She admits she was no match to his words. But she isn't giving up so easily.

"How can you say Sakura experienced the worst pain?" She suddenly said. "You don't even know my story."

Sasuke didn't seem surprised with her answer. Instead, he just simply nodded. "You're right." He told her. "Can you tell me your experiences?"

Sasuke waited patiently as Anika sighed and tried to present an emotionless expression.

"When Nii-chan left….We suffered more than ever without her." She started. " So I had to do something to help my mother, At the same time keeping secrets from my father to protect us. I experienced the pain my sister did."

"Even the physical ones?" Sasuke asked and Anika shook her head.

"I admit my father didn't hurt me as much as she did to her. But when my father died a few years ago, I had to work hard for me and mother to survive, since she was still weak." She narrated. "I was able to sustain our needs and keep us alive. When the storm destroyed our home, it was Max who helped us and who also helped me get back to school. I was able to sustain my school fees and our needs at the same time."

"…..And for that, I congratulate you." Sasuke told her, without a hint of sarcasm. "You are as strong as your sister. This gives you more reason to support each other."

Anika looked at him with raised brows.

"You had your mother to support you. She had none." Sasuke told her. "She worked hard for the two of you. So she can give you a better life. You shouldn't keep on sticking to the past when it's already done. And you know she did that for all three of you. Not just for her. Now that the nightmare's over, Can't you live happily together?"

Anika sighed and bit her lip. " Nii-chan really is lucky to be with someone like you." She suddenly told him. "If I knew, I would have left before she did." She joked and Sasuke just smirked.

"Can I assume that this is settled?" Sasuke held out his hand and Anika held out hers to shake hands with him, as if closing a deal.

"I admit I didn't want to accept defeat but….you're right. Sasuke-san." Anika smiled. "And I'm sorry."

"You should tell your sister that." Sasuke whispered as they see Sakura squirming. Sasuke walked towards her and sat beside her. He brushed away the hair on her face as she slowly opened her eyes. Anika can't helped but be touched by the sight.

"They look so cute together." She smiled to herself. Sasuke bent down to plant a kiss on Sakura's forehead and whispered something in her ear. Sakura nodded and Sasuke nodded as he stood up and slowly walked out the room. Guess that was the signal that she had to talk to her sister.

"You ok…nii-chan?" Anika asked and Sakura nodded while she sat up. Anika approached hr and sat beside her.

"You should lie down. Get more rest." She told her but Sakura shook her head.

"No I'm okay." She whispered. Anika nodded and there was silence.

"How am I gonna start…" Anika thought nervously as she bit her lip. Then she hears Sakura sigh and giggle a bit.

"I hope Sasuke didn't scare you in your conversation." She started. "He can be scary when he talks seriously."

Anika smiled a bit as well. "He was scary at first but I guess you get used to it…." She replied. Sakura smiled and there was silence again till Anika sighed.

"Sakura nii-chan….I'm sorry…about earlier."

"It's ok it wasn't your-"

"No I should have understood the situation better. " Anika cut her off. "I should just be happy that you're back here…with us."

Sakura was silent as Anika refused to look at her. But she smiled and hugged her sister.

"It's great to hear that Anika." She whispered and Anika hugged her back. "But I am sorry for leaving you and mother."

"It's ok. I know you had too." Anika replied and they parted. They giggled since they were happy that everything was settled and as if on cue, Sasuke opened the door.

"I suppose everything has gone well?" He smiled and Sakura playfully put her hands on her hips.

"Sasuke, were you just listening to our conversation?"

Sasuke diverted his eyes to the ceiling in a playful manner as well. "Maybe…." He smiled a bit and Sakura just rolled her eyes while Anika giggled.

"Your mother wanted me to call you 2 for dinner as well." Sasuke told them and the girls nodded. Sasuke made sure Sakura was okay and guided her in going down. Even if Sakura persisted that she was fine.

The group sat down for dinner. Sasuke told Sakura that Naruto and Hinata had to go back home for work and he asked Naruto to cover for him as well. Being the best friend he is, Naruto agreed after a round of quarrelling, convincing and a bit of threatening from Sasuke. Guess he always gets his way.

"Hey Sasuke. Ever tried eating with your hands?" Sakura asked and Sasuke raised a brow.

"Yeah with finger foods." Sasuke replied.

"No I mean with rice." Sakura told him.

"Rice?" Sasuke asked and shook his head.

"Then why don't you try it. It's pretty easy." Sakura smiled and Sasuke felt a bit hesitant.

"Let me show you." Sakura told him and showed him how. "Just pick up the viand then the rice and put it in your mouth. Or you can pick up the viand, put it on the rice, pick up the rice with the viand with it and put it in your mouth."

"I prefer the second one." Anika commented. Sasuke tried but ended up crushing his rice.

"Be gentle Sasuke." Sakura told him and after a few tries, he finally got the hang of it.

"Actually is a lot better eating with your hands." Sasuke commented. "Make things easier and less of a hassle compared to using a spoon and fork."

The others smiled and they continued eating. Soon they were all finished.

"I'll just use the restroom." Sasuke excused himself. Sakura pointed him to where it was and as soon she he was gone, her mother leaned closer to her.

"You just made a great choice there." She whispered with a smile, pertaining to Sasuke.

"I so agree." Anika smile as well and Sakura blushed.

"I'm glad you like him." Sakura smiled.

"I heard you were engaged." Her mother whispered again. "When he proposes, make sure I know about it so we can plan your wedding."

"Mother." Sakura scolded playfully. "Nothing's happened yet. Don't get too excited."

"But it will." She smiled. "And you should feel like a princess at your wedding."

Sakura just giggled at her mother and started gathering the dishes. They were unaware of the sneaky Sasuke eavesdropping on their conversation.

"So far so good." He thought to himself and smiled proudly. "Making a good impression will be going smoother than I though it would."

Sasuke decided to help Sakura with the dishes while Anika and her mother get the animals in the barn. When they finally finished, Sakura sighed and leaned against the counter.

"I want to eat some fruits." She pouted. Sasuke looked around and got something in a basket.

"These are sweet apples right?" Sasuke asked as he held the fruit in his hand. "I loved eating these when I was little."

"Oohh those are my favourite!" Sakura exclaims and gets the fruit from Sasuke and she starts eating some of the fruit. Sasuke joins in and eats some of it too.

"I didn't know you liked eating this." Sasuke commented as he spit out the seed.

"Mother didn't let me eat these before when I was little. I'm not sure why." Sakura wondered but resumed eating. Sasuke just shrugged and soon they finished the fruit.

"I liked that one. It was sweet." Sasuke said. "Normally I don't like sweets…" He trailed off when he sees Sakura leaning against the counter, with her hands supporting her.

"Sakura…you alright?" He ran to her side and Sakura nodded.

"I…I'm fine…" Sakura told him but Sasuke's no idiot to believe that.

"No you're not." He said and held her by the waist. Sakura's mother and Anika soon entered and were surprised by the sight.

"Sakura!" Her mother exclaimed and ran to them. She ordered Anika to get some water and checked on Sakura.

"What happened?" She asked.

"I don't know. We just ate some sweet apple and this happened." Sasuke replied.

"Sweet apple?" Her mother's eyes widened and Sasuke nodded. Then Anika came with the glass of water and handed it to Sakura to drink.

"Why? Is she allergic or something?" Sasuke asked in alarm but Sakura's mother shook her head.

"No she's gonna be okay but….sweet apple has a side effect on her. But thankfully, it isn't life threathening." Sakura's mother replied and Sasuke sighed in relief.

"What should I do?" he asked.

"Just take her to your room to rest." She replied. "She'll be back to normal in the morning."

"Back to normal?" Sasuke raised a brow as he carried Sakura bridal style.

"You'll see." Anika smirked and Sasuke still seemed confused.

"Guess I'll find out soon enough." He thought as he went up the stairs.

Sasuke laid Sakura on the mattresses and sat beside her, sighing.

"You okay Sakura?" He whispered and Sakura's face was covered by her hands.

"My head hurts…."She murmured. Sasuke removed his shirt and then lifted her up to a sitting position and she laid against his chest. He wrapped his hands around her while caressing her hair.

"Just get some rest." He whispered. There was silence until Sakura started moaning.

"Sakura?" Sasuke whispered, wondering what was wrong with her.

"Sasuke…" Sakura moaned and squirmed in his arms. She looked up and Sasuke sees her cheeks a bit red as if she was blushing. Her eyes were only half opened as if she's sleepy and she wraps her arms around Sasuke's neck.

"Sasuke…" she moaned again and wrapped his arms around his neck. Sasuke's eyes widen in surprise as she places her forehead against his.

"Sakura?" He whispered in confusion and Sakura just smirked. She let her lips caress Sasuke's cheek which made him freeze.

"Sasuke-kunn…." She purred and nuzzled his neck. Sasuke thought hard and remembered what Sakura's mother said.

"No she's gonna be okay but….sweet apple has a side effect on her…"

"This must be it."He thought. "Guess she acts drunk when she eats sweet apples." He smirks at the thought but gets back to reality as Sakura suddenly nipped at her neck.

"Sakura. You need your rest." He told her and got hold of her shoulders. "Now lie down."

"Sasuke-kunn.." she whined and Sasuke laid her down on the mattress. Then suddenly she grabbed his arm and collided her lips with his.

"Sasuke-kun….I feel hot." She moaned when they parted. "Help me take this off…" she told him as she tugged on her shirt. Sasuke was unsure of what to do. Maybe this will all stop if he just does what she asks.

With the moonlight their only source of light, He helps her out of her clothes until she's only in her undergarments and Sasuke sighs.

"Now please just rest Sakura." He caresses her hair and covers her with a blanket. But it looks like this is far from over.

"Sasuke-kun" she pulls him again and nibbles at his skin. Sasuke freezes on top of her as he feels her smooth skin against hers. This was getting harder than he thought.

"Sakura…that's enough." He scolded her but was biting his lip as he pulls away. "Go to sleep Sakura."

"Sasuke-kunn…" she whines as she tries to grab for him. Sasuke felt confused at what to do. Soon he sighs and just decided to get it over with.

He collides his lips to hers and they engage in a passionate kiss as Sasuke molds his lips against hers. Sakura eagerly kisses back and places her arms around his neck while Sasuke cups her face while the other supports him on top of her.

Sasuke just lets his emotions take over as he hungrily kisses her neck and sucks on it as Sakura moans softly. His hands roam all over her body and he could feel himself getting hard with every caress Sakura gives him. He tries to stop but Sakura persists and tugs on his pants and suddenly caresses his member which makes Sasuke jump away before he goes too far. He breathes heavily as he composes himself and slowly tucks Sakura in.

"Sasuke…" she whispers. Seems like she's a bit worn out as well, much to his relief.

"Get some sleep Sakura." He kisses her head as he lies beside her. She cuddles close and Sasuke lovingly embraces her.

"I love you Sakura…." He whispers and Sakura cuddles closer.

"Sasuke-kun…"

Anika was still awake and was on the phone with her boyfriend, Max.

"Oh Max I need your help with something." She whispers. Her mother was already asleep upstairs and was the only one left downstairs.

"What's that?" Max asks.

"I'm…planning something for nii-chan and Sasuke." She tells him. "Will you help me?"

"Sure…but what is it?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow." She smirks and says goodbye. She puts down the phone and sighs.

"They're up for a surprise tomorrow…."

Yeah finally done! : D

Ooohh wonder what Anika's planning.

Please review on this chappie! I'll be waiting and I hope you liked it ^_^

Till then! Bye!

~SasuSaku53