Sakura

Terrified. I was terrified. Why did I ever think I could do this? I had a panic attack after seeing a plane crash in a movie. I couldn't speak for hours after just seeing Naruto in the kitchen a couple of days ago. I can't even go into the back parking lot of the school without freaking out anymore.

Yet I think I'm able to go into Naruto's room and talk to him.

Sasuke would flip out if he knew what I was planning to do, that's why I waited till he left for his work at the police station. 11 hours a week, by his choice, Sasuke sorts files, their agreement to let him take school for it next year. He gladly makes money this way as well and now it's my turn to work at something. He had spent the entire week making sure I was good and now had to spend all of Saturday working to make up his hours. I felt awful.

I was seated at the edge of my bed. My hands clenching the bottom of my skirt, I wanted to do this. It was important but how am I supposed to know if I'll screw it up and start crying and freaking out again? No.

I need to talk to Naruto and confront him.

I have to make the first step in forgiving him. I still love him. I have to remember it wasn't completely him that night. Yes, he made horrible decisions that led to it but still, it's Naruto. Itachi called me and told me that he felt extreme remorse and I don't doubt it. I know he's sorry.

I slowly stood up and walked into the hallway. My footsteps echoed in my ear as I made my way to Naruto's door. I stood there for a moment, contemplating until I built up the guts to knock on the door. I immediately heard footsteps and froze.

Naruto

I didn't even bother to leave my room. Sasuke was gone, but Sakura wasn't and I didn't want to scare her again.

Gosh, how did we get to this point? A week ago we were seated at a table with my arm around her, laughing and comfortable. It hurt. I can't even think about the past anymore because my relationship will never again be the same with Sakura.

I was about to turn off my lamp and sleep until I heard a knock on my door.

Wait.

Sasuke's not here anymore, so the only person who wants to come in is...

I felt a burst of adrenaline and hope rush through my veins as I quickly rose out of my bed and opened the door.

Sakura was standing about two feet away like a deer in headlights. She looked at me with wide, scared eyes. She seemed as if she was about to turn in the other direction and I was so sure she was going to do exactly that until her expression changed. She furrowed her brows and stood a little taller. She let out some air and finally spoke. "Hey."

"Hey," I said, popping my fingers. Stunned that she was standing in front of me, much less talking.

"Yeah," she looked down at her feet and intertwined her hands, "Can we talk?" She said and her eyes bore into mine. I slowly nodded.

"Of– course. You want to come in?" I asked her.

"I think it'd be best if we talked downstairs, at the table," Sakura said while tapping her foot.

"Oh. Okay." I said and we made our way down silently. Me a few feet behind. We sat down and she drew circles on the wood, seemingly looking for words.

I decided I wanted to be the first to say something.

"Sakura... I'm so, so sorry." I raised my eyebrows sorrowfully at her.

Sakura met my eyes and frowned. "I know." She said and averted her gaze. She was opening her mouth to speak but I interrupted her, returning her glance to me.

"You can't possibly understand how sorry though. I understand if you never want me to speak to you after this. Or touch you, or hang out with you... but just know, I regret drinking that night, I regret letting my emotions take control of me. I hurt you, in multiple ways, there's no excuse, but I love you Sakura. Please understand all I've ever wanted was to protect you and keep you safe. I can't take back what happened but I'll keep those promises." I finally said, on the verge of breaking down.

Sakura seemed the same. Her lips quivered and she couldn't meet my eyes. I watched a tear escape one of her green eyes and my old habit of wiping it away almost escaped from me but I kept myself still. "You did. You hurt me, violated me, Naruto. I don't know which part of you was doing it–making the decisions–frankly, I don't want to know. I want to forgive you, but it's going to be so hard. I still want to be able to hug my best friend, laugh with him, with you. But honestly, more than anything, I want us all back. If I can forgive you, so can Sasuke. I still love you. We'll figure it out. Like, we have to." Her words rolled off her tongue like stones and smashed my subconscious.

I was immediately swarmed with relief. I smiled just barely and felt my entire world flop when Sakura returned a small one. She wanted to forgive me. That was more than I could've ever asked for.

When we finally returned to our rooms I felt a relieving warmth take over. Knowing Sakura was willing to forgive temporarily soothed all pain I felt, physical and mental.

Sasuke

The coffee had finally filled to the top of my mug and I pulled it from the machine, returned to the back office, and sat at my desk.

Somehow a new pile of files had appeared in my box and I let out an irritated sigh, beginning to sort through the top papers. Most of the cases were boring. Drugs, failed robbery attempts, dining-n'-dashes. My eyelids became heavy.

An hour had passed when I heard the office door open. A brunette with purple face tattoos and a shaggy coat walked in. His hands were tucked behind his back and he gave a wide grin as he revealed the contents: dinner. I groaned and sat up, finally awake at the smell and sight of food.

"Thank you Kiba, I was dying," I said and he nodded as he sat down across from me and started pulling out styrofoam boxes. I immediately dug into the steak he bought me and we silently ate.

After a couple of moments, Kiba finally spoke. "So, how are they?" He asked me, suddenly forming his facial features into a more serious approach.

I stopped eating and looked down at the food. After picking up a fork and messing with the fries a little I answered him and contemplated. "She's better. Naruto is keeping his distance but we talked a few days ago about how we should try and fix stuff. I'm really worried about us all though." I said, whispering the last part but Kiba raised an eyebrow, probably hearing it anyway.

"I would be worried too. It's great that she wants to resolve things, shows she's tough and you might not have to worry so much." He spoke smoothly, popping a fry into his mouth.

"I don't think she's limp," I grunted and continued, "I'm worried about her health. She's never going to be the same again, she freaked out from just seeing Naruto in the kitchen. What's going to happen when a dude squeezes her shoulder or tries to hug her? What if she can never be comfortable around men again?" As I said the words, the harder it became to convince myself that wouldn't happen.

What if she becomes uncomfortable around me?

Kiba's face flashed with sincerity and he smiled. "That won't happen. Remember when we were 14 and all hanging out at the park? She was heading to your place, some guy tried to grab her, and since you were on a call with her, you knew what was happening and got there just in time. Remember how she couldn't walk alone to her house for months, but slowly, from your and Naruto's support, she felt safe? Again, she's capable. She just needs you both there with her and she'll be back to our old Sakura."

He's not wrong–

I gave him a nod and the best glance I could muster. I want to believe the three of us could all get close again.