Shattered Pieces

Chapter 10 – Blossoming

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

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Sakura's POV

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I awoke the next morning, and felt hands around my waist, and inhaled the familiar scent. I blushed as I realized the position Sasuke-kun and I were in, and I just wished I could stay frozen in this position forever. Realizing that I needed to tend to Sasuke-kun's wounds to check they haven't gotten infected, I was forced to get up from my position soon to look for herbs to help his wounds. I slowly removed his hands around my waist, and slowly got up. I saw him stir and turn in his sleep, seemingly disappointed about the warmth emitting from my body leaving him. I smiled, and disappeared to look for the mountain herbs before his wounds could get any worse.

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Sasuke's POV

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I suddenly woke up when I felt a warmth travel away from my body. I was disappointed; the warmth was so comfortable. It bothered me for a second, and realized what 'the warmth' was. I blushed and turned around before she could notice. I fell into a light slumber, my thoughts racing about her.

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Sakura's POV

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I came back a few hours later, gathering the few herbs I could find. I saw a fire pleasantly burning, and saw the red eyes of Sasuke-kun. I could tell that he was angry with me, since he activated his Sharingan, with his hand over his forehead, his head staring off at his knees. When he sensed my chakra, he looked up at me, and sighed.

"Where were you?" He asked coolly, trying to hide is obvious concern.

"Gathering herbs for your wounds," I said, smiling.

"My wounds are fine, Sakura."

I laughed at his Uchiha pride, and just walked over to him.

"No they're not."

I sat down cross-legged in front of him, and smiled at him. I could tell he was fighting with his inner conscience on whether or not to give in, but I finally got the sign I was waiting for. He sighed deeply, and gave in. My smile became a smirk, and I laughed.

"Well?" He asked.

I knelt on the floor so I was level with his eyes. I smiled at him, and began to remove the bandages that weren't covered by his shirt. Some were still bloody and ruffled from his constant shifting during the night, but some were clean. I inspected these wounds carefully, and tore off parts of the clean bandages to keep the herbs in place. Then, I motioned him to remove his shirt, and he quickly agreed to do so. I held my blush back, and the sight of his bloodied bandages and gaping wounds made me tear up. I let them flow on my face nonetheless, and continued to manage his wounds. I felt his thumb wiping away my tears, and I smiled.

"If it hurts you so much, then stop, Sakura."

I looked at him and shook my head 'no'.

"It'll hurt me more if you die of these wounds than to see you beat up."

"Hn."

I took that as acknowledgement to continue, and after a few minutes, I finished. I jumped up from my position, and sat down next to him by the fire. There was a comfortable silence between us, and I noticed from the corner of my eye, Sasuke lost in his thoughts, and just continued to enjoy the small time we would have with each other.

"Thanks, Sakura."

I looked at him and blushed. I never heard him say thank you so sincerely and loudly before; his pride wouldn't allow that. Before I could say anything, he continued.

"Not just for healing my wounds, but for…saving me," He said.

I was confused. When did I save Sasuke-kun?

"When did I save you, Sasuke-kun?"

He looked at me, and smiled. He took a deep breath, and continued.

"When I ...killed Itachi. You were there for me when I was emotionally unstable...and...every day back in Konoha," He said.

I was still slightly confused, but I smiled at him, understanding that was all he could say for now.

"That's fine. I'll always be here for you."

He nodded, turning away, seeming to hide something from me. I understood, and laughed. I stared at the fire before my eyes, and felt the cold chill of the winter breeze overcome me. I snuggled closer to the fire, and closed my eyes. So much has happened to my life, but things always change, and they will never change back. I felt arms around me, and opened my eyes, finding them locked with the onyx orbs. I smiled, feeling warmth come to my body. I watched the snowfall from the entrance of the cave and smiled.

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The afternoon soon came, and I was bored to death. Sasuke-kun was still recovering from his wounds, so he was constantly asleep, but I had nothing to do. Every now and then I'd make sure Sasuke-kun's wounds were fine, but that didn't satisfy me. I decided to take a walk, even though I was improperly dressed to go out in midwinter. I sighed, and decided to try and keep myself warm with chakra. I found my legs taking me to a place I couldn't define, but when I got there, I somehow knew where I was. It was a grove of cherry blossoms; their bark stained, their branches plain. I smiled at how I used to be a withering cherry blossom, always drawn into my thoughts, always serious about everything. But then, I rediscovered myself as Sasuke-kun came back, and I blossomed again. I was free; I was no longer caged in a mind of emotional instability, always faking smiles, laughs, always faking me. I smiled, and sat under the tree. I found myself daydreaming under the tree.

"What are you doing out here? You can c-catch a c-cold," I heard.

I knew who it was, so I didn't need to turn around.

"I'm keeping myself warm from chakra...what are you doing out? You have yet to recover completely from your wounds," I said.

I heard a silent 'Hn', and his presence leaning on the opposite side of the tree.

"Do you like taking random walks in midwinter without a jacket, or what?"

I laughed, and got up, walking over to him and facing him.

"Yes."

He looked at me, irritated at my playful demeanor. I just smiled innocently at him, and began to walk back to our shelter.

"Well? Do you like staying out here without a jacket, or what?" I asked, sticking my tongue out to tease him.

I heard him sigh in irritation, and began walking after me. I smiled.

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I'll always be here for you, Sasuke-kun. I'll wait forever if I have to...

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End chapter! o: Hmm, sorry if it was too short! I'll try to update again over the weekend :D