A/N: Hey guys! It's my birthday today and altough most people recieve presents I thought I'd give one and post up another chapter for all the fans! But for real enjoy this update and make sure to read and review. I know you lazy people out there don't want to but do it for my bday:)

Redemtion of the Heart:

Exploding Emotions

Sakura stretched her arms above her head as she noticed the cool crisp autumn air creeping into her room through her slightly open window. She glanced at her alarm clock resting on her nightstand and smiled. Woke up earlier than usual. That means an early start for a long day. Sakura hopped out of the bed throwing her covers to the side before grabbing a towel. Sakura kicked off her pajama pants and threw off her shirt before kicking her bathroom door shut. After waiting for the running water to get hotter, Sakura jumped in reveling in the way the hot water heightened her senses. She sighed while noting to herself that today was indeed going to be a good day.

After taking an extra long shower Sakura stepped out of her shower and proceeded to wipe the fog off of her mirror and then began examining her face twisting it this way and that. Well it's about time some people started to notice me, inner Sakura said victoriously. She began fidgeting with the edge of her towel before recalling the events of the past day. The way Ichigo had been so friendly and charming. She shook the thoughts from her head as she moved on to bigger more important things. She needed to find an outfit for the date. You can't keep your man if you don't look the part Sakura declared to herself. She flung open her closet door rummaging through all her clothes before pulling out a tan knee length skirt with red plaid stitching. She held the bottom with a few tops she had chosen but something didn't sit well with her. She tapped her finger on her chin before a small smile stretched her lips. She went back to her closet and dug one more time, pulling out another top.

"Aha" Sakura said aloud. She examined the dark red sleeveless turtleneck sweater before laying it out on her bed along with her skirt. She sighed again happily as she began dressing for her usual morning training with Team 7. They may not officially be a team anymore, but their growth in skill serves to be a great challenge when training together. Sakura pulled back her long locks in a ponytail and dressed in her usual black tights and red top. She straightened out the wrinkles and wrapped her hiate around her head and skipped to her kitchen pondering what yummy breakfast to make today.

Sakura hummed peacefully to herself as she approached the bridge that held so many loving memories. The exact place where Kakashi sensei would come up with ludacris excuses about his tardiness, the place where Naruto and Sasuke would bicker before challenging each other for a fight. This was the exact bridge where her first love broke her heart. She smiled sadly before hopping up and sitting on the railing of the bridge waiting for the others to arrive. She felt the familiar sensation of the hairs on her neck raising and she knew that Sasuke had showed up early as well.

"Ohayo Sasuke," Sakura said offering a warm smile and wave. Sasuke didn't even bother to nod or say anything, but opted to look her straight in the eyes before leaning on the railing himself. Sakura dropped her hand to her side and suddenly had the feeling that being alone with him would be unusually awkward. "Isn't the autumn air so crisp and..." Sakura stopped herself from finishing her sentence. She remembered back to the last time she brought up the topic of weather to instigate a conversation...it ended up being shredded to pieces before being thrown in her face. She sat hunched staring off into an area of space with her mouth open before tentatively shutting it. Sasuke peered up at her curiously.

"It's a beautiful night isn't it?" Sakura asked leaning on the railing with her elbows.

"Why do you still try?" Sasuke said coldly. Sakura's eyes widened at his words. She turned her head as she felt her eyes well up with tears.

Sasuke winced slightly knowing exactly where those words had led him. He had crushed all hope of his kunoichi teammate. He hadn't meant to hurt her so badly, but the thing was that everytime she made an effort to break through his icy exterior, he pushed her away hoping that by the time she acted up again, he would have sorted out his feelings. But sadly, at every opportunity, he was more confused. Thoughts of of apologizing surfaced into his mind, but just as he parted his lips to offer some sort of words that seemed remotely comforting he heard a familiar poof.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted smiling under his mask, making his one visible eye crease.

"Morning Kakashi!" Sakura beamed. Thank Kami for her former sensei, waiting any longer with the brooding Uchiha heir would have constricted her lungs and ultimately killed her with a slow and agonizing death...something she'd choose anyday over staying in an awkward position with the Uchiha. Sakura cleared her throat after hopping off the railing.

"Where's Naruto? He's usually not the late one," Sakura said looking down the winding dirt road to see if he would appear.

"Oh actully I passed him on my way to town. He was talking to Hinata. We'll give him an extra five minutes, I'm sure he's still fusing over her" Kakashi said smiling again.

"Oh so have you thought about baby names?" Sakura said with a glint of excitement in her eyes. She had never suspected her former sensei of all people to have gotten married and settled down and have children, but he did.

With a thoughtful expression on his face Kakashi rubbed his chin gingerly. "Hm, well I know that if we have a girl, we're going to name her Sakura..." Kakashi said trailing off.

"Kakashi sensei! Don't joke with me!" Sakura said smacking his arm lightly. He chuckled and exclaimed it was the truth but Sakura had nothing to say except a simple roll of her eyes.

"SAKURA-CHAN! Kaka-sensei! OI Sasu-baka!" Naurto waved from down the path with his ever bright orange jacket. He waved vigorously and sprinted faster to get to the group. Kakashi smirked at the light fading blush that tinged Naruto's cheeks. His mind traveled onto more private and perverted thoughts before training somehow magically popped back into his head.

"Everyone ready to train?"

(After Training)

"Ugh Naruto! Look what you did!" Sakura screamed at the top of her lungs. Naruto's eye began twitching at the amount of anger Sakura was expressing.

"Oh come on Sakura, as if I could have known that this area was marshland!" Naruto offered in defense of his innocence. He frowned when peered up at Sakura. Well, to put it simply she looked...completey bad. Her hair was caked with chunks of mud, her top was torn from the neck to the shoulder, completely exposing her left arm, her shorts were painted with dust and dark smelly mud and her milky legs were marred with the redish tones of dried clay. Sakura growled in fustration as she noticed Naruto looking at her in distaste.

"Next time you get excited to fight me, can we not do it here?" Sakura spat as she turned to leave.

"Sakura-chan! Where are you going? Don't you want to get ramen with us?" Naruto asked pleadingly. He felt guilty for drop kicking her into the bushes, a fairly good distance from where they fought originally, leading to the fact that he had actually kicked her into a marshland like area of the forest. When he realized that Sakura failed to come flying out of the trees to attack him, he went back towards the bushes to find her arm draped over a bush and her legs stuck in mud up to her knees. He gaped at how horrible she looked at the time, but more than that he was afraid of the fire that began to spark in her eyes. Naruto the shook the memory from his head and still waited for Sakura's answer as she began walking further away from vision.

"I have to get ready for my date!"

Surprisingly, the last statement continuously echoed in Sasuke's mind. Call him crazy but where the echoes actually resounding in sync with his heartbeat? Rubbish, he shook the thoughts from his head and looked to the rest of the group. "Ah, I forgot Sakura-chan had another date tonight!" Naruto beamed. "I always knew she'd snag a guy soon!" A deep rumble came from Kakashi as he chuckled.

"You sound like her father. I'd almost expect myself to say something like that but coming from you it just seems ridiculous." Kakashi said wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.

"What! I'm just glad she's not stuck on Sasuke bastard over there, she always beat herself up for not being able to get him to open up. She's strong for trying, but what's the point of trying to break through his wall, especially with girls, he's a wall of ice!" Naruto spoke to Kakashi with his hand cupping his lips, as if to keep his little rant secretive, but it was blatantly obvious that everyone heard. Sasuke became infuriated. He didn't know why though. Was it because Naruto had just said he was a wall or because he was implying that he had no game with girls. Or was it even that everyone seems to be glad that Sakura doesn't love him anymore. Whatever reason it was he was pissed.

"Shut up dobe, besides who gives a shit what Sakura does on her spare time? If she wants to date a loser, let her humilliate herself" Sasuke spat as he casually shoved his hands into his pockets. He bit his lip as his display of anger. Kakashi raised a silver eyebrow and looked the boy straight in the eye as Sasuke fought to conceal the harbored feelings of anger from surfacing through his expressions. Sasuke instantly regretted saying anything at all. Since when did he get overly angry when Sakura goes on a date and since when does he get angry about her period?

Since you're jealous. Duh. At this Sasuke frowned. Allow me to introduce myself. This would be your conscience, oh and don't get me mixed up with the evil conscience of yours...yea remember him? He surfaced when you went all crazy about revenge? I would be your SANE conscience. Or you can reffer to me as your Humane side.

The voice inside his head began rambling on and on about endless possiblities in which his anger may have been provoked. Sasuke stood silently with a stern and concerned look on his face completely forgetting that Naruto and Kakashi were standing right there with him. The humane conscience of his wouldn't shut up and he started to think he was going crazy. He shut his eyes the minute the voice brought up talk about marriage and resurrecting his clan.

"It's just the heat, it's getting to me" Sasuke said more to himself than anyone else. He began heading down the dirt road and into town. Yes town would be a great place to get a sharp shiny object to extract this voice of his in his head.

Naruto and Kakashi stood planted in their spot at the trainning grounds. "Is Sasuke bastard going crazy?" Naruto asked in all serious concern. The crazy display that just unfolded before his eyes didn't sit well. Sasuke looked completely crazy for crying out loud! It was then that Naruto realized the severity of the situation.

"He's done it! The bastard's finally gone crazy!"

Sasuke had been wondering around the village market aimlessly letting his inner conscience speak to him about how cruel he was being and how he should make the move now before he loses Sakura. More like before I lost it.His minds' endless chatter was starting to give him a headache. He found an unoccupied bench and sat down leaning against the grainy wood.

You know, deep down inside there's a part of you just itching to be with Sakura. Why else do you think you got so jealous when Sakura brought Ichigo to that Dobe's store? You were angry because Sakura could potentially replace you with someone else, signifying that well, she can love other people and forget about you. Sasuke frowned at this. Sakura had always been the one person to love and take care of anyone. He didn't like thinking about her in a way that suggests that she would abandon people from her heart. Besides, he was his first love, she can't forget him like that. Sasuke nodded to himself knowing that she could never completely forget about him. Ah so I see the Uchiha pride was slightly hurt by her bold moves towards this other man. I understand that on top of the fact that you're jealous, your pride was also hurt admist all the chaos! Sasuke growled out loud from the way the voice in his head was dripping with sarcasm.He looked up in no particular direction as he turned his head to his left. He didn't want to see anyone right now. He had begun to believe that he had officially gone crazy. Just as he thought this the voice started up again.

"Agh just shut up!" Sasuke said shutting his eyes.

"Sasuke?" His eyes snapped open after hearing the familiar voice. He lifted his head and what he saw made his breath get stuck in his lungs. Sakura stood in all of her glory, looking completely different from what she did earlier after training. Her pink locks were swept to the side and pinned loosely letting the rest of her hair rest on her shoulders. She stood wearing the dark red sleeveless turtleneck shirt and tan skirt, accompanied by Ichigo. She looked in all honesty beautiful but he still would refuse to admit it and let the inner conscience win. "Sasuke are you alright? You look pale and for a moment I could have sworn you were talking to yourself" Sakura said with concern. She stepped closer to him and lifted a delicate hand to press against his forehead. They may have fought a day or two before but Sasuke was still a friend and teammate. She forgot her fading feelings towards him and how embarassing it would have been for her to do this years ago, but instead did all she could to check he was alright.

Sasuke kept his gaze to the side as Sakura's face came in close proximity to his. He sucked in a deep breath when he felt her small warm hand envelope his forehead. He looked up to meet her eyes and she had concern written all over her face. He smirked. See, I knew she couldn't let go that easily. His inner voice scowled as it seemed the cocky Uchiha was more than alright at the time. He then realized that she was still staring at him closely waiting for an answer. He swatted her hand away and stood up abruptly.

"I'm fine. You're lover boy is waiting" Sasuke said before turning in the opposite direction and leaving. Sakura stood there dumbfounded. First he's jerk and now he's upgraded to being an asshole. She just rolled her eyes before turning her attention towards Ichigo and wrapping an arm around his toned arm.

"Shall we?"

He hadn't meant to say those words exactly. Surprisingly he was more hurt by them than she was. He actually reffered to the other man as her 'lover boy' and it had really bothered him. He couldn't put his finger on it but it bothered him to no end. He coudn't imagine anyone being her lover. He sighed as he found himself walking a familiar path to a home. Of course it wasn't his home but the Haruno house. On his walk there, he determined that if he was to understand the strange feelings that kept welling up inside him he'd have to spend more time examining the source in which case, it would be Sakura. He found himself settling on her first stone step. He hadn't noticed the other times he came here how modest and clean her house really was. Her lawn was full of lush green grass despite the slight chill that ran along the streets at night from the approaching autumn. He didn't find it a surprise when his eyes traveled onto a sakura tree planted in their frontyard. The pink blossoms had already littered the grass and in their place were the slowly bronzing leaves. He felt a sense of calm when he was there. Honestly, he had been there on more than one occassion. When Sakura had first began accepting the fact that he wasn't going to reciprocate her affections, he often came by her house and watched her sleep amoung the shadows outside her window. For now, as memories plague his mind, he'd sit in comfort and wait until she returned.

(3 hours later)

He was getting weary of waiting. He was hoping that he would be able to make note a few reactions he gets when he's with her, but at this rate he wasn't even going to see her. It sort of stung knowing that he had been waiting for her to return for so long but she didn't know he was there for her, or the fact that he had taken his time to even be doing this. Sound familiar? Sasuke groaned. He had thought triumphantly for an hour that the voice inside his head had miraculously died but he thought too soon. He tried to ignore the voices' claims but it was so damn hard because he was so damn right. She waited for you for many years, that's alot compared to a measely 3 hours. Besides, you can finally understand how she felt waiting for you. She was always expecting you to return with no guaruntees that you were even thinking about her at all. But she waited patiently for you to come back to your senses and come home.

"I was only gone four years. I didn't do anything I came back after I sorted where my life was headed. What more could she ask of me. I came back didn't I?" Sasuke asked himself angrily. In spite of his desperate excuse, he knew how much Sakura had to endure. It seemed as though nothing would redeem him.

"Ichigo, tonight was amazing. I really loved the Noh theater. You know, it's been ages since Konoha's actually had one performing in town. I think the last time I've seen a play was when my parents were around..." Sakura's voice softened at the mention of her parents. Ichigo saw the glint of sadness in her eyes and took her small hand in his. Sakura looked up at his face and blushed. He leaned in slowly and gave her a small peck on the cheek.

"I wouldn't want to steal your lips so soon, because I have yet to steal your heart." Sakura felt her legs turn to jello. She felt the blush spread across her cheeks and spill even onto the flesh of her chest. She swallowed loudly before waving him off. She smiled to herself as inner Sakura cheered about victory. She turned around and dug through her small purse looking for her house key when she heard a soft thump and a shadow jump down from the roof.

"Sa...Sasuke! What are you doing here?" She hissed suddenly embarassed that he may have seen the intimate exchange that just happened. She felt her hands begin to tremble with embarassment and shock.

"Didn't think the loser would use such cheesy lines too...I guess I was wrong" Sasuke said smirking while looking down upon her slightly hunched form. Sakura felt the anger rise in her cheeks. She rolled her eyes in disgust as she clearly saw the smug look on Sasuke's handsome face.

"Well at least he tries to be romantic...you however act like an ice brick," she mumbled under her breath.

"Proving how weak he is because he has to try so hard to be well liked by you."

tick

Oh God. I'd never think that I would get angry at Sasuke this much but he is being such a prick! Why does he keep bashing on Ichigo like he knows him?

Sakura could feel the anger course through her veins. Her heartbeat rang through her ears like the ticking of a clock.

"At least he can keep my attention," Sakura seethed.

"I kept yours for years." Sasuke let his cocky side slip for just one moment too long and before he knew it, he let a rude remark slip passed his usually indifferent exterior.

tick

"Are you kidding me? Sasuke how can you say something like that to me? Is it that amuzing to know that you were my first love? That I devoted time, money and energy on you? The fact that I saved my first kiss for you?" Sakura felt like her rant would never end but it almost the opposite for Sasuke. To Sasuke, her words began to blur together and fade out to the background and all he could concentrate on was the ticking he heard in his head.

"Sakura..." Sasuke tried to interrupt but there was no stopping her.

"I even saved my virginity for you but obviously since you're apparently A-sexual, I won't be needing to save that anymore now am I! OH and another thing, who died and made you king? Why do you always have to be so damn insensative to everyone around you? You say the most hurtful remarks and act as though that would never hurt anyone. But news flash...it hurts ME! And..."

"Sakura...SAKURA!" Sasuke shouted grabbing her by the wrists.

"WHAT!" Sakura yelled back in his face.

"What is that ticking noise?" Sasuke asked slightly concerned.

"What the hell are you talking ab..." just as she was about to finish her sentence she heard the faintest of ticking. She swallowed dryly before licking her lips. "That's not...what I think it is...is it?" Just as she finished posing her question, Sasuke enveloped Sakura in his strong arms before pulling them both away from the cobblestone path house. Their bodies flew in the air as thick smoke billowed up towards the sky and sent showers of broken glass and splintered wood. Sasuke landed on top of Sakura shielding her from the onslaught of debris that rained down around them and the impact knocked the wind out of her. She blinked in surprise as her house was engulfed in flames. She had thought she would explode from the anger that was pent up inside her, but the Haruno house exploded in her place.

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW FOR MY BIRTHDAY:)