I Do Not Own Naruto

Sasuke was not pleased to hear of the arranged marriages, as a whole. The mere idea of HIM being forced into marriage was not an unconventional idea but to hear the villages were intending to push these matches on others was. As much as he despised the idea of his marriage being arranged he saw the covert intentions of the council: controlling him. Having a wife would give them leverage, having a wife of their choosing would secure the continuation of the Sharingan line in a woman THEY trusted. He would not matter, merely be the stud; a wild thing they could control.

But if he could arrange it so Sakura was his wife then he could evade the council's control and keep the Sharingan out of unsafe hands should he and Sakura ever decide to have children. Also, he trusted Sakura, she was the only one he did trust, and he knew that he could count on her no matter what obstacle would come to be thrown in their path. And in a way, Sasuke supposed he could attempt to pay her back for… everything.

No, he did not think he could ever love her. Love was such a volatile and dangerous emotion for an Uchiha, it would not be wise to allow such an emotion to take over his life after having finally escaping the depths of hatred he had been trapped in. Still, he did think that he could return some level of affections for Sakura, and she was a friend, the foundation of mutual trust was established, and he respected her. He wanted a way to repay her unwavering emotions for him too, and marrying her to ensure she was not a political pawn to the Konoha Council.

Still, he didn't know how to broach the subject with Sakura.

Her admittance that she was not alright, and the fact an imposter of himself had hurt her was unacceptable. So he would not press her about this now. Still, his time was limited which would mean taking care about the when and how he delivered his proposal.

Rousing himself from his thoughts when there was a light knock on the door had his Sharingan activating as he reluctantly stood and walked to the door. Cracking it slightly he saw her standing there.

"Little help!" she demanded, yanking open the door he saved some of the groceries from her grasp as she walked in. "Thanks."

"You do not eat this much," he stated.

"I just got you the basics; I mean you're staying here, and other than what you brought I don't see you having much." Sakura huffed out as she hefted up the bags on her counter.

Sasuke said nothing about this, he didn't want to point out that he hadn't thought about it.

"So, I got you shampoo, soap, some clothes; I think you're about the same size as Naruto so I went off that, I also brought back the neuro mapping I've been doing. I did not buy you shoes, and I got you some underwear; boxers and briefs, you pick on your preference, and I got you a tooth brush, comb, razor, tomatoes, and a bit of food," Sakura said.

"Hn," he grunted.

"A thank you is a more common response," she quipped.

He frowned.

"I know you didn't ask me to get you all this but I felt bad, and I don't think you want to walk around the village smelling like me," she admitted.

Sasuke sighed, "thank you."

"Of course. So, according to the map of your nerves that I've received and the genetic markers, I think I can grow you an arm that'll allow you to have touch stimulation," she stated.

"Hn?"

"The first limbs didn't intentionally come with that, it was kind of a happy accident, but it has been hit or miss. But based on the research from Tsunade I think I can make you one that'll allow you to have touch simulation," she stated.

Sasuke just lifted a brow.

"Just go with me here," she suggested.

"Aa," he nodded.

"Good. Oh, and Hoshiro Manami is back in the village if you want to meet her," Sakura said as she unpacked the food.

"No."

"No you don't want to meet her?" Sakura peered at him over the fridge door then as he continued unpacking the supplies she had gotten her.

"Aa," he nodded. He wasn't interested in meeting the little brood mare that the council thought could be used to control him. He was interested in getting Sakura to come with him to dinner; she looked unusually thin, even for her petite frame. It was a bit concerning; did no one look after her?

"Okay, so I have a shift at the hospital, and a meeting first thing in the morning for a meeting with the matchmaker, then you and I can go sparring.

"You are sleeping," he stated.

"What!? Where is this coming from!?" she sputtered.

"You're swaying," he stated. She was too; seriously, were they just going to let her work herself into an early grave? He'd have to speak to Kakashi about this.

"I'm just a little," she started.

"Exhausted?" he offered.

"No." she stubbornly insisted. "I slept all of today to noon, and most of last night, I don't need more sleep."

"Sakura," he caught her as she tried to brush past him. "Please," he murmured tiredly.

"I…"

"Are not well."

"I have paperwork," she groaned.

"Sleep," he insisted softly pulling her hand so she followed him.

"I did sleep, till noon today, and went sparring with you!" she said.

"Then the hospital, and shopping. It is dark out, rest," he said softly.

"I have paperwork."

He lifted a brow when she stifled a yawn and started pulling her towards her room.

"Fine," she sighed. He almost smiled in triumph but wisely kept the victory to himself. Tomorrow he would speak to Kakashi and proceed from there.

Tonight he was repaying her kindness to him and taking care of her in exchange.


Sakura yawned as she collapsed on her bed; she hadn't wanted to admit it, but she was tired. She was the kind of bone deep, felt to the marrow, to the soul tired. Tired of everything that had been happening lately, and having Sasuke confront her in his way to show he was still her friend and he was paying attention unnerved her. No one but Kakashi had checked too closely on her, she had been careful about keeping her façade impeccable. Haruno Sakura, unwavering kunochi, valued doctor, loyal friend, perfect daughter, and respected professional. Sasuke had forced it all back though as he had actually seen her, and it left her unnerved.

She had never; after the war, exposed herself to him to harm her. The imposter, though he had wounded her pride, had attempted to exploit her weakness which had had her furious. Sasuke then being here, so soon after her battered heart had taken another hit, left her unnerved. Now he seemed to be… seeing her. Actually seeing her exhaustion and that was scary.

Sakura had said Sasuke couldn't harm her, it wasn't a lie. Two years ago that was not a lie. Now though, he could harm her, he could hurt her; because now he could see her. She wasn't sure what to think about that.

Turning a bit Sakura stared at his face, he was watching her intently like a hawk watching prey which had her eyes narrowing on him.

"I'm not going to go anywhere if you look away," she lied.

"Hn," he grunted, then picked up his sack to rummage through it. Producing a book she scowled.

"You can go," she yawned. "I'm sure Naruto wants to hang out with you."

"He has Hinata," Sasuke dismissed.

"Kakashi could want dinner with you," she point out.

"Hn," he answered.

"You don't have to be here."

"You are clearly not taking care of yourself and no one will intervene before you land in a grave, so I am. Rest," he ordered.

"I am not a child."

"Children have more sense than you."

"That is a very rude thing to say!" she snapped.

"Hn," he grunted unhelpfully.

"You and Sai are maddening."

"I am not like the social retard," he snapped.

"No, because he has social skills. You are just blatantly rude and insulting, and I'll remind you I've been taking care of myself for years!" she snapped.

"Poorly."

"Not true!" she countered with a large yawn.

"You have bags under your eyes, look like a racoon, and appear to be losing weight. I doubt you eat correctly, and are obviously overworked and taken advantage of by your superiors; I saw your desk. You have been given an impossible work load, with impossible expectations designed to kill your or for failure; tell me I am wrong," he challenged.

"Maybe I like the challenge of proving them wrong!" she snapped.

"From the grave you are digging yourself?" he asked.

"Since when was it anyone's concern really what it is I am, or am not doing?" she demanded as she struggled to stay awake.

"Since you are attempting to kill yourself."

"I thought that'd be a relief?" she mused darkly.

"Annoying," he snapped as he snapped his book shut to glare at her.

"It's not as if it'll change anything," she pointed out. "Not in the grand schemes of things, I am but a cog, easily replaced when I fail in the shinobi world."

"You are my friend, I do not have many of them and do not permit them to die because they are annoying," he countered sharply. This had her blinking rapidly as she stared at him. "I do not understand why they have pushed you to become this but this is not healthy, Sakura. And if you will not stand up for yourself I will."

"Who said I don't stand up for myself!?"

"Your desk," he retorted.

"Fine."

"Hn," he grunted in triumph as he opened his book again which had her rolling her eyes.

Sasuke's stay was obviously going to be a very long stay if he had decided to adopt this persona, she didn't know if she was going to be able to tolerate this pushy, dictation without lashing out.

But that would be tomorrow's problem as sleep dragged her under and she surrendered.


Sasuke closed his book once he was sure she was asleep and pinched the bridge of his nose as he squeezed his eyes shut. Frustration at this situation, at her state, and his own predicament was gnawing at him, and her frustrations and own stubbornness about her way of life were not helping. Sasuke didn't want to push her, didn't want to have to push her, but because he clearly could, signified that something was very wrong.

He would have to wait for her to rest up and lash out; for real, to get to the bottom of this. There would be no other way about it, he guessed.

Tomorrow's issues though; tonight he was just going to rest. It had been a long day just getting to the point of what was currently bothering Sakura. The idea that someone had used him to hurt her was infuriating, but worse, it was the knowledge no one seemed inclined to intervene on her behalf before she did die young.

Slowly he got up and sat on the bed, propping himself up against the headboard he closed his eyes.

He'd figure this all out, even if he entirely lacked the social graces to be artful and delicate about whatever was bothering her. But he would figure this out.

He wanted to propose a marriage to her when she knew they were friends, that there was mutual respected and trust between them, he wanted them to have that even if he couldn't give her all she deserved. She deserved so much more, but she loved him, and being a selfish creature of habit, he was going to exploit that to escape the council.


I am not here for any other reason than to finish MY stories. I will not accept PMs or cyber bullying here on ff and if you should feel inclined to act in such manner I will ignore you or block you. I will not be involved with the Naruto fandom again, I am merely here to write.

Other than that, I Hope You Enjoy Until the Day I Die.