My apologies mean fuckall at this point, but sorry for the short chapter and sorry for the delay. I recently saw Star Wars and oddly enough that came with the consequence of a million different fanfic scenarios that had to be put to paper, so naturally, this one fell by the wayside a bit. But only a bit, I still obsess over this piece. Thanks for the love, it is much appreciated! xo


But who bandaged him up? Did Sasuke have second thoughts and try to save himself? I swallow the lump in my throat. I'm getting ahead of myself; I don't know what actually happened.

"Tsunade-sama, I need to be here. Not just for him, for me, too. Naruto and I are getting the chance we never had to save our friend. It's more important to me than I thought it would be. It was a mistake to think that I should have nothing to do with him. Sasuke is constantly surrounded by the reminder of everything that destroyed his life and still he's done nothing to retaliate. He's suffered enough Tsunade-sama," in a rare moment of intimacy, I reach for her hand and squeeze it tightly.

"Sakura, how many times can I excuse you for disobeying me before you both start walking all over me?" while her words are bitter, she doesn't look it, "I've told you before: you remind me of myself when I was your age. I just don't want you to get swallowed up in this so much that you lose yourself and it becomes - If Sasuke is executed or at least exiled, I don't want it to affect you so much that you can never come back from it," for a moment I think I see her eyes water. She's told me about Dan and the pain that came with not having the strength to save somebody on the brink of death. But this is different. . .

Isn't it?

"It would be worse to not see him at all," I admit, "Naruto would agree."

In my conviction she seems to regard me warily. But she lets it go and releases my hand.

"What would you propose in terms of looking after him?"

"Well," I stumble a bit, but then realize the opportunity and seize it, "He's healing nicely. Already he's capable of doing many things on his own. But obviously he's not getting any exercise; I think he should be allowed to walk around, escorted of course. You're going to see an improvement in his cooperation if he's given more liberties. He's wanted but he's not been tried for anything yet so he deserves some freedom."

"Sakura," she sighs heavily, "How am I supposed to even trust the two of you alone together?"

I flush and try to hide it by ducking my head for a moment.

"I want you to trust me, Tsunade-sama but you'll have to give me some form of authority here."

"Sakura, it concerns me that you think this is okay. I don't care what's happened in the last few weeks, he's still dangerous. Go home for tonight. I'll consider letting you come back tomorrow but only for a visit. We'll be in touch," she turns on her heel, face impassive as she retreats to the house.

"But," I start, but she stops in her tracks, halting my words.

"Go home, we're done for tonight."

When she's gone I look up to the windows but the shutters are closed. With a mixture of triumph and defeat, I begin the long walk home.


Unable to stand being alone, I wind up on Naruto's doorstep, not wanting to have to dodge my mother's inevitably invasive questions. He answers the door still rubbing his eyes and holding back a yawn.

"I'm sorry it's so late, but I can't keep my mind from racing," I lean forward, elbows on my knees as I clutch a cup of tea on his couch. Naruto is still yawning, slouching in a chair beside me.

"Tsunade banned you from coming back?" his brows furrow as he looks at me with bleary eyes.

"Temporarily, but I'm worried about Sasuke," I shake my head and, restless, cross my legs on the couch.

"He should know to behave himself, as long as he's not being medicated."

"Naruto, what if the council decides to - "

"Seek out justice?" he cuts me off before I can word it differently, "I don't know. I just hope he starts talking."

I pause for a moment, thinking of my revelation with Tsunade. Should I tell him? Would it be too painful? But I can't keep this inside, it's too much.

"Tsunade said something today. It kind of made sense," I stop for a breath and Naruto regards me gently, "Do you think Sasuke tried to kill himself?"

All at once Naruto is alert, stiffening in his chair. His mouth starts to move but no sound comes out.

"Did you ask Sasuke about this?" he says carefully.

"No, I didn't get to talk to him," I drop my eyes for a moment, "Do you think he'd really do that?"

Naruto doesn't speak but I can see he's thinking. Something is churning in his mind and I wonder if he's putting it all together like I did. Does it make sense to him, too?

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata appears at the end of the hallway, sleepy and dressed only in a shirt. From the size I'd guess it's Naruto's. She stiffens for a moment when she notices me and ducks behind a corner, "S-Sakura-chan, is everything all right? Are you okay?"

Flustered, she completely disappears then comes back with a pair of sweatpants on to join us. Comfortably, she comes to sit beside me and puts an arm around my shoulder.

"I couldn't sleep," I shrug, not meeting her gaze, "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you two."

"Yet she did it anyway," Naruto jibes, alleviating some of the tension.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata chastises lightly, "Is everything all right, Sakura-chan?"

"There's just a lot of stress at work right now," I give her a grateful smile but it's a struggle to hold it. I hate lying to her; she's so sweet and caring, "I should go. Sorry, again."

"Stay here, Sakura-chan. Sleep on the couch and you can go home in the morning," Hinata offers.

"Only if you want to. Don't feel obligated," Naruto jokes. We laugh and I hug Hinata.

"Thank you, but I really should go home. It would probably do me some good."

Hinata nods, smiling as we stand up. Naruto walks me to the door.

"You can stay if you want to," his voice is low, "I don't want you to feel alone right now."

"I'll be fine, really," I give him a reassuring smile.

"I'll meet you at your place tomorrow morning and we can go over together. How does that sound?"

"I'd really appreciate it," I give him a big hug, "Thank you, Naruto."


Everyone seems resigned and almost content to not get any sleep tonight. Tsunade is watching me like a hawk since she drained my chakra. But, right now I'm just grateful she didn't knock me out again. Several guards crowd the room, leaning against the walls, speaking idly. Every once in a while, the Hokage will throw them a look if they get too loud. I lay back on my bed and look to the ceiling.

I can still feel the traces of the sedative in my system. It gives me this claustrophobic anxiety. The walls close in and nothing I think of can pull me out of it.

But if Sakura were here, she could. Maybe Naruto could, too. I was starting to rely on them and their constant presence. I think it made it bearable here. What do I do if Sakura never comes back? Naruto will be able to though, surely. But that's just Naruto. Sakura has to be here, too. She needs -

Thoughts pass through my mind of night after night here, endless hours spent locked in this house, in this room with no escape. Being subjected to these nightmares with no reprieve. She helped me, she was helping me.

I shut my eyes tight and see her face there smiling at me, laughing.

I can't -

I can't be alone.

I want -

I need her here. . .