Chapter 12: The time she fell in love

"I sometimes wonder, what my life would have been if it wasn't because of my brother. At those times I hate the life I have; I hate the duty I have; I hate my own hate. Then I totally wake up and I go training: There is one life I have to take"

Uchiha Sasuke

Sasuke woke up. He blinked once, twice. What had happened?

He felt a weight on top of him. He fully opened his eyes to see a sleeping Sakura, resting her head and her right arm on his chest. For a second he felt the sting of terror, wondering how Sakura was sleeping in his bed. He remembered that Sakura had slipped in his bed the night before. He had thought about leaving, but he had fallen asleep.

He watched her. He could see her face, half hidden by her hair. She was beautiful. He moved his hand very, very gradually, and touched her hair. She didn't move. He caressed her hair with all possible precautions. She was indeed very beautiful.

«I need a cigarette », Sasuke concluded.

He ever so slowly disengaged from Sakura's grip and got up from the bed. She had a peaceful smile in her face. He got closer. He remembered the story about the sleeping princess that was awoken by a prince with a kiss. Sakura was indeed a princess, but he wasn't a prince. Sasuke left her and went to the bathroom. There he looked his own reflection. He looked like shit.

Last night he had killed four people.

The thought this time didn't even phase him. It was just a fact. He had finally become a killer. Another step to avenge his clan had been done. He got out of the bathroom. He saw Sakura waking up.

"Good Morning Sasuke-kun" she said happily.

"Morning" he said. She seemed very happy every second she was with him. Well, he had to stop the situation soon. She shouldn't have her hopes so high. His duty was to kill his brother, and not even she could stop him. He had to tell her

"Sakura..." he started.

Sakura didn't even answer; she just went past him with sleep in her eyes, to the bathroom, and closed the door.

"Damn!" Sasuke murmured. He decided to go to the kitchen and prepare for breakfast. At first he was preparing it only for him. He decided to do it also for Sakura when he remembered they were... married.

Sasuke sighed. He had been forced to learn to smoke, and had developed a small craving for cigarettes because of the stupid plan to eliminate the Four Sound. However he wasn't drinking ever again.

He prepared breakfast for both of them, and waited until she entered the kitchen.

"Sakura" he said calmly "Do you really think it's a good idea to sleep in the same bed?"

She shrugged.

"I told you the other day that it was because you were having nightmares. Besides, we are husband and wife, after all." She added blushing.

Sasuke groaned. He truly needed a cigarette.

"Do you want some coffee?" She asked

"Sure" he said. He stared very surprised at the back of Sakura "Sakura! Your back...!" There was an addition on her usual clothes: The Uchiha Symbol was proudly displayed on her clothes.

"You like it?" She said, smiling widely. "I had to keep myself awake, so I sewed the symbol in all the clothes I brought. I have to buy more clothes, since I didn't bring much from my old home."

Sasuke thought that usually he would have complained about how easy she said "Old home". Still, he had to admit something: The Uchiha Symbol looked great on her.

"It's nice" he just said. He was looking at Sakura. The mood was... peaceful. Again. There was something about those moments that were precious to him. Him sitting in his house, Sakura, wearing the Uchiha Symbol, singing a soft tune and preparing some breakfast... For less than a second, he thought that he could get used to that vision, getting up every day watching Sakura taking care of him...

"Sakura, I don't feel anything towards you" he said brusquely. He was indeed an absolute, complete, total, stupid idiot, but he had a mission to fulfil. He didn't have time for love. He didn't want love. If he loved, he was showing a weakness. Love was something that could too easily be taken away. Only pain would remain. He rejected love.

Sakura for a second stood, showing her back to him. Then she turned around. She was smiling

"Sasuke-kun, I know you like me, so stop pretending." She said. "I was awake when you were caressing my hair."

Sasuke would have cut his hand right then.

"I was just checking if you were sleep." He said, trying to excuse himself.

"What about that kiss?" She asked, remembering their kiss last day.

Hai, that kiss. That was a good question, a very good question.

"That was an automatic reaction. I wasn't thinking. It was a mistake, and I probably still had alcohol on my system" explained Sasuke, almost enumerating all the excuses he had said to himself over and over.

She didn't answer. She just smiled

"Even if I loved you, and I'm not saying I do," he warned "My hate for my brother is still stronger."

"I know that" she said. The smile was still there, but now it was sadder. "What happened the other day?" She suddenly asked, while giving him the cup of coffee.

Sasuke was surprised by that question, and it was a complicated one. He could either lie to her, meaning that from then on, he would always lie to her if there was any risk for him. He could also say the truth: He had a secret rendezvous. He had been offered the chance of going to Orochimaru, and he had almost accepted.

If he told her the truth, it meant that from then on, she would have a weapon to use against him. She could rat on him, and he would be executed by treason anytime she wanted. Could he trust anybody that much? Since Itachi, he had sworn never to trust anybody. The more the trust, the more painful the betrayal.

Sakura was staring at him. She apparently had guessed his doubts because she wasn't saying anything.

Sasuke finally sighed. He was going to commit a serious mistake. Another one.

"The other day I went to speak with the Four Sound: Orochimaru's henchmen. They had talked to me a few days ago about leaving the Leaf. I was going to accept before I decided going out with you, Naruto and Kakashi-sensei to drink. You know what happened next."

"I already knew that" she said, totally surprising Sasuke "Kakashi-sensei told me."

"He knew?" asked Sasuke. That was complicated. If Kakashi knew it the Hokage and the ANBU knew it as well. That meant the reason they ANBU had been following him wasn't to protect him, but to kill him in the moment he decided to leave the Leaf. He would have to be far more careful from now on. So far, he had planned on leaving, but he had never actually done anything opposite to the Leaf. He was probably safe, for the moment. Hold down a second...

"Kakashi-sensei just told you the information like that? Didn't he tell you not to tell me?"

"He told me that it was top secret information, but" and she smiled "I trust you"

So much for his lack of trust in Sakura. He was really undeserving.

"Ne" said Sakura, interrupting his thoughts "What happened when you went to speak to the Sound Four?"

"I killed them" he simply said. Then he felt the need to explain to her "I gave them the chance to leave. They wouldn't take it." Why was he saying it like if he were apologizing, anyway?

She nodded, but he kept speaking. He had to. It was for her own good.

"I told them that I couldn't go until I found out if you were pregnant or not. I told them that if you were, I was going to stay with you and if you weren't, I was going to leave with them." He explained, for the first time in years fully confiding in somebody.

Sakura wordlessly stood, thinking her confession. Then sound of the microwave interrupted them. Sakura took one of the cups, and gave the other to him.

Sasuke thought that maybe she was thinking about leaving him, because their relation had no future. He didn't believe it, because she was in love.

He really needed that cigarette.

Sakura was thinking about Sasuke. He already knew or had figured out most of what Sasuke had told her. However hearing Sasuke saying clearly to her that he was going to leave her really hurt.

Still, she wasn't giving up. No, she wasn't giving up on him. He better believe it.

Sasuke put a brief grimace after tasting the coffee.

"What's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

"Your coffee sucks" he explained sincerely. "It has enough sugar to make me visit the dentist a few times."

Sasuke's sudden harsh words really hurt. Still she managed a forced smile.

"I am sorry, I really like with sugar. Let me..." she asked extending her hand.

Sasuke didn't listen; instead he drank most of the coffee, almost managing to hide his displeasure.

"You didn't have to drink it." She warned

"Of course I had to" he said, as if it were obvious "You made it for me, after all." He finished the coffee.

Sakura smiled

"You haven't changed" she said. "You are too honest. Do you remember the first time we talked?"

Sakura was practicing shurinken throwing after the Academy had ended, but all the shurikens were falling too far away from the target. She wanted to cry. No matter how hard she tried, she always failed. Why? Ino-chan always hit the target. It was because she didn't have any talent. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair.

She tried again. She aimed, but the shuriken fell before it reached the target. She tried again with all her strength, but the shuriken flew far away to the left of the log. She wanted to cry

"Why?" She cried. It wasn't fair.

At that moment she felt something. She looked, and there was a boy looking with a curious expression at her.

"Hi" she said shyly. He was a classmate, wasn't he? The one that was always alone. What was his name? They hadn't ever spoken with each other.

"You know, you suck." He said without a trace of kindness.

She felt the need to cry again. Who was this boy? Why was he so mean?

"Your waist moves too little. You don't have any control on your arm. Your eyes are not fixed on the target. Your movements are too erratic. There is no way you are going to hit the log." Continued the boy restlessly "Have you actually ever practiced before?"

The tears were already welling up.

The boy sighed and got closer to her.

"Who do you want to hit?" He asked

"Eh? The l-log?" She ventured.

"No. If you want to hit a log for no reason, you will fail. First, you need a reason. Why would you want to hit a log?"

"I... I don't know."

"What about because you want to be stronger so you can protect the whole village as a member of the police?" Said the boy. He smiled "Well, never mind that. Think about the moment when you felt more proud as a shinobi student. For me that moment was when my father finally acknowledged me. What was yours?"

She thought for a second.

"I... I don't know. I don't remember any."

The boy stared at her for a second. He sighed.

"Well, think about one person that you would like to surpass. Think about one person that is always better than you. Think about a person that once at least, even only once in your lifetime, you want to surpass" explained the boy

Sakura thought about a person she wanted to surpass and a name appeared immediately: Ino. She shouldn't say that, though, Ino was her best friend

"It doesn't matter if you love that person. This is about friendly competitive spirit. Even if she is your most important person, just think about that person." this time he was pointing to the log "Remember that if you don't hit the log, you will never be able to surpass that person."

Sakura thought about being condemned to always be not Sakura, but just Ino's best friend. She concentrated and aimed exactly to the centre of the log with all her strength. Her arm movement was still bad, and the shurinken went to the right

She felt the need to cry. The boy walked quickly to the log, touched it. He smiled

"You missed, but it was a very close call. Look, you even scratched the log. Congratulations!"

Sakura looked at the log. It was true. There was a slight mark on the right side. Finally, she smiled.

"Now you have to practice the theory a little more, especially arm direction, but I am sure you will do it." said the boy. "Now, sorry but I have to hurry. I have to go home to convince my brother to teach me some new moves" after saying that, the boy started to leave

"Wait! What is your name?" Sakura asked

The boy smiled and pointed proudly to his back symbol

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke, from the Uchiha clan, the strongest clan in the Leaf." The boy winked to her and he left.

Sakura blushed, and smiled.

"Thanks Sasuke-kun"

Uchiha Sasuke missed the next day of class. There were some rumours about a massacre, but the parents never spoke about it. The kids eventually forgot.

"Later I realized that my shurinken had moved too much to the right. I understood that it was you that put the mark on the log to raise my morale" said Sakura

"I don't remember about it" answered Sasuke, but then he had to admit that saying that he had forgotten about that day was stupid. He remembered the smallest detail about that day, no matter how hard he tried to forget it, even the position of the corpses. "It wasn't like that. I didn't put any mark in the log. It was your shurinken" Another lie too obvious. He had to be careful around Sakura. She made him lose concentration.

"You haven't changed." Sakura commented

"Hai, I have. Now I am more focused. I have to kill one man, and nothing will drive me from that path. Not even you, Sakura."

He was going to add a few more things, but he was interrupted when Sakura got up

"We will see that" said Sakura. "I am not going to stop you with your revenge, but I am not going to let you destroy yourself and your happiness in the process."

Sasuke didn't think she could ever be even close to achieve her goal. He decided to drop the matter and not waste valuable resources trying to convince her that there was no way he was going to let anybody barge into his heart. At least he had made his point. He had told her that she shouldn't waste her time on him. She hadn't agreed, but with a little luck sooner or later she would.

"Sasuke-kun, we have to go training. We are already late."

Sasuke grinned

"I'm betting when we arrive Kakashi-sensei will not have arrived yet."

Kakashi had not arrived yet, and since Sakura and Sasuke had woken up very late, Naruto had been waiting alone for two hours.

"You are late!" He complained "Why do I have to be the only one waiting?"

Sasuke was observant. The words of Naruto weren't a normal complaint. He was afraid. He, Sakura and Iruka-sensei were the most important people in Naruto's life. If he and Sakura were together, they were going to spend less time with Naruto. At the end, Naruto was a lonely kid, like he was.

Still, it didn't matter. Loneliness was hard, but people could adapt and survive. Solitude made people stronger. Besides, it wasn't like if it were his business.

"Don't worry Naruto. Today we are having a party after training, and you are the only guest invited." said Sakura

"We are having a party?" asked Sasuke, and after receiving the death glare of Sakura, that put Orochimaru's to shame, he added "Hai, that party, of course. Naruto, you are the guest of honour" Sakura, like always, was too nice.

"And also the only one" added a grinning Sakura. Far too nice.

Naruto smiled, and suddenly jumped forward

"Thank you!" He said, hugging Sakura and Sasuke, that hadn't moved fast enough to avoid him.

"Skip it!" He said

"Ohhhhhh! It looks so nice! That's the beauty of friendship." mocked a voice

"Kakashi-sensei..." started Sasuke

"YOU ARE LATE!" yelled simultaneously Naruto and Sakura

"... Yeah" finished Sasuke.

"I am sorry. I saw a comet crossing the sky, and I had to see it"

"In the middle of day?" wondered Sasuke

"YOU ARE LYING!" Screamed Naruto and Sakura.

"Actually, I came to tell you that I won't be directing your training today. I have to start taking S-class missions. So, for the time being, Sakura will organize the training."

"Sakura?" exclaimed Naruto

"Whatever" said Sasuke. He actually understood Kakashi. If he or Naruto were to be in charge of training, they would spend the whole day fighting between each other.

"Please, don't forget to be nice" said Kakashi, winking to Sasuke and Sakura. The latter blushed and looked away... and for a second Sasuke and Kakashi locked glances. In just that brief second, a lot of feelings went through Kakashi's eyes, but before Sasuke had time to distinguish them, Kakashi was walking back.

"Kakashi-sensei" murmured Sasuke to himself.

Kakashi closed his eyes

"It has been determined that the Four Sound have all been killed. Probably Uchiha's doing. Sadly, he has been careful. There is no proof it was him"

"Agreed."

"Still, it only means that Sasuke is delaying his decision until he finds out if Sakura is pregnant or not. So, the danger of losing the Sharingan still exists."

Kakashi stood silent. Tsunade had already made her decision.

"But even if the Sharingan is important, the Kyuubi is far more important. The betrayal of Sasuke could extend to Sakura, and maybe even Naruto. Kakashi, this is an A-class mission: You have to make sure that Sasuke and Sakura break up. Also, I want you to prepare some techniques to fight and kill Sasuke if it's needed."

Kakashi nodded

"It will be done, Hokage-sama."

He left without making any opinions. They weren't asked either.

Sasuke stopped to rest for a second, the same as Sakura

"What's up, guys? You tired already" mocked Naruto

Sasuke and Sakura locked glances with each other; both of them smiled and got up, taking the bags full of rocks still farther.

Sasuke was actually enjoying that training. He shuddered. Every time he actually enjoyed something, it was taken away.

The two young ANBU were watching the three genins training, when they felt something. They turned around, just in time to see shadow looming over them. It was the last thing they saw.
"What was that?" asked Sakura.

"I don't know" said Sasuke. He had also felt something. For some brief seconds, there had been three chakras fully exploding. They had disappeared almost at the same time. The way they had ignited, it had seemed as a fight: One between high level shinobis.

It had also been very close.

"Single line formation. I'll be point man. Naruto, in the middle, as security. Sakura in the rear, you will give us extraction cover if needed" ordered Sasuke which was already rushing to the point where the fight had been. Naruto and Sakura quickly arranged themselves in the position ordered.

Truly, the bodies were close. Two of them. Both of them ANBU, according to the masks that were lying around. They had been probably spying on them when an unknown enemy had attacked

"Who would have done something like this?" asked Naruto.

Sasuke didn't answer. He was looking at his surroundings. The enemy seemed to have retreated. It was probably Orochimaru, or some of his henchmen, that were interested in him.

Or...

"To abduct Naruto. That's the order that our Organization Akatsuki gave to us." Itachi commented

Sasuke activated his sharingan and started looking desperately for any kind of clues. Not when he was hiding from Orochimaru in the chuunin exam, not when he was chasing Gaara he had become so desperate. Finally he found some: Some grass that had been stepped on, a moving branch...

"Stay here!" Sasuke yelled, and starting running, without caring for support or precaution. Everything he cared about was finding Itachi.

Minutes later, Sasuke was panting and standing in front of a young man, which was coughing blood. He didn't appear to have any external wounds. He wasn't wearing the clothes that Itachi and Kisame had worn. Sasuke was starting to think that he had made a mistake

"Who are you?" Sasuke asked.

"Kaguya... Kaguya Kimimaro." The young man answered. He had stopped coughing blood.

"Do you belong to Akatsuki?"

"No" said Kimimaro standing up. Sasuke decided that apparently he had made a mistake

"Are you one of Orochimaru's shinobis?"

"Hai" Kimimaro was looking right at him. He definitely had made a mistake, Sasuke concluded. "I am here to take you to Orochimaru."

Sasuke sighed. He really, really needed a cigarette.

AN: Another chapter. For your information, the memory of Sakura about Sasuke is between the time that his father acknowledged Sasuke, and the great massacre. Maybe the only time Sasuke was truly happy.

Well, did you like the chapter? This time is has been mostly scenes between Sakura and Sasuke. I liked the part where Sasuke draws the line between what he desires(sakura), and his duty and fears.

Bythe way, just a fair warning: I am not afraid to kill any of the main characters, so in any fight there can be casualties for both sides.