Not Afraid Anymore

Chapter 2: Rehab

Thirty minutes 'til midnight Sakura thought as she looked over at the clock hanging at the top of the reception desk of the Emergency Room. This was going to be a long night, with all the casualties coming in for treatment and surgery, there was no doubt in her mind that she would not be going home any time soon. Although on second thought, she is grateful for that. She did not want to think about the days to come. With Sasuke back and all, things were bound to be different and awkward.

Circumstances were easier out in the battlefield; everyone was too focused on a single objective to give space to meaningless thoughts. Everyone knew what they had to do, he knew what he had to do and so did she. But now she does not know what to do, or how to react. There is no mission objective, just to carry on with their lives after the war. The thought scared her, to not know what lies ahead. Despite Sasuke's sincere apology, it was hard for Sakura to decipher what he would do after all this has passed. His priorities, what was once his reason for living was no longer there for him to chase after. What now?

As she stood motionless in the emergency room watching patient after patient check-in, she began to wonder once again about Sasuke's fate. She knew Lady Tsunade would be lenient, so he would not be worse off. Rogue ninjas were known to be marked by death once they defected from their village but Sasuke was an exception as Lady Tsunade puts it. The other Kages had objected to such lenience but once they learned what droved Sasuke's actions, they could not object. After all, the very Council who worked on behalf of Konohagakure's "well-being" was involved. If anything, Sasuke was a victim of the hate that thrives in the world of the Shinobi. Just thinking about it made her heart ache for Sasuke. He did not deserve that fate, full of hate and loneliness. He deserved to be happy, loved…the way she loved him. But she knew her place, she would continue to be there for Sasuke…as his friend, or in whatever way he allowed her to be. She was well aware of his reluctance to return, his resentment for this village has not faded. It may not be as strong as it used to be, but it is still there. Part of him still blames them for the Uchiha's demise, she wonders if he blames her too…

"Sakura, I am so glad I found you!" yelled a nurse as she ran towards Sakura.

"Yes, what is the matter?" asked Sakura as she turned towards the young nurse.

"Uchiha Sasuke has arrived at the hospital. Lady Tsunade has asked for you to be in charge of his care."

"Oh…of course." Sakura said in a slightly surprised tone as she stood looking out in a dazed with a slight blush adorning her cheeks. She was happy. Thankful. Eager to see him.

He is okaySasuke-kun

Sakura held her hands tightly together against her chest and closed her eyes tightly. So many emotions welled up inside her.

"Are you okay, Sakura?" asked the nurse suddenly worried about Sakura.

Sakura immediately snapped out of her state and looked up at the nurse slightly embarrassed.

"Oh! Yes! I am just…umm happy." Sakura said with a cheeky smile as she scratched the back of her head self-consciously.

The nurse gave her a gentle smile and continued with her report.

"As I was saying, he was brought by Hatake Kakashi and an ANBU squad. They are on the left wing of the hospital in room 102. I also brought in his medical records for you to review."

"Thank you."

Sakura took his medical records and began to review them as she walked to the elevator, the nurse following behind.

"What is his present condition?" inquired Sakura as they entered the elevator, while at the same time balancing the file on her left hand and pressing the "up" button with her right.

"His condition is not life threatening; he has minor abrasions throughout his body, two broken ribs, and a small stab wound on his shoulder, which was previously bandaged, so he has not lost too much blood."

"Alright, thank you, I will take over from here." Sakura replied as she stepped out of the elevator and dismissed the nurse with a small bow. Then proceeding down the hall to Sasuke's room.

"You can do this, take deep breaths" she reassured herself mentally as she approached his room number, seeing in sight the two ANBU guards on each side of his door.

"Hello, I am Haruno, Sakura. I have been assigned as Uchiha Sasuke's medic. May I step in?" she asked the ANBU guards with a tone of confidence and professionalism.

The ANBU guards gave her a silent nod of approval and stepped aside.

She silently bowed to them and stepped into the room.

"Ah, Sakura, so glad you could make it." Kakashi greeted from his spot leaning on the wall reading his Icha Icha paradise book.

"Kakashi, I see that even after a world war you are still in the mood to read such filthy literature, if it can even be called "literature." Replied Sakura with a disapproving frown.

"So cold…" whispered an amused Kakashi.

Sakura approached the medical cabinets and placed Sasuke's records on the metal counter as she searched for some gauze and antibiotics. She peered over her shoulder at Sasuke. "How are you feeling?

Knowing the question was directed towards him, Sasuke turned to look at Sakura. She could feel the intensity of his stare fixated on her as she shuffled around the cabinet for medical supplies.

"Tired. It's been…a long day." He said as he turned to look out the window. His eyes no longer blindfolded. His hands no longer bound.

"I see." She shifted over to Sasuke's bedside. "I'll have you patched up in no time and then you can rest." She said with a sympathetic look and smile.

"Now, I'll need you to remove your robe so I can bandage and heal your wounds."

Sasuke sat up and removed his robe without much difficulty despite his wounds. Sakura had to look away. A blush forming across her temple. Even after all this time she still gets flustered at his physique. But who can blame her? Look at him.

"Alright, let's begin." She sat on the corner of his bed and summoned her Mystical Palm Technique to heal the abrasions on his shoulders, arms, and then moved her hand lower to heal his broken ribs.

Sasuke watched silently as her hands glided across his body, healing his wounds, leaving no trace of what once marred his skin. He was both grateful and guilt ridden. He felt like he did not deserve Sakura's kindness after all he has put her through.

You should hate me. Despise me. He thought as he shifted his gaze to look at Sakura's eyes that were focused on the task at hand. Sakura noticed his stare and glanced back.

"Is there something the matter?"

"It's just…never mind." Sasuke turned away from Sakura and closed his eyes in resignation. He did not know where to begin. He felt his previous apology was not enough.

It would never be enough.

Sakura worried gaze shifted to one of hurt and confusion. She wished Sasuke would confide in her. But there is still a distance between them, despite their reunion. She could feel it and wondered if the space between them would ever cease to exist. If things could ever be the same again.

"Well, that should be enough; I will let some of your smaller lesion's mend on their own." Sakura informed as she gently applied antibiotics on his smaller wounds, and wrapped gauze over them. Sasuke remained still. His brow furrowed. His thoughts troubled by his guilt and her gentle touch.

Sakura finished and rose to her feet while looking down at Sasuke, hoping to meet his gaze once more.

"Let me know if anything else begins to hurt, okay?" said Sakura as Sasuke slowly opened his eyes and turned his gaze towards her. He gave her a short nod. Her heart skipped a beat at the intensity of his eyes which prompted her to pick up her supplies and place them in the medical cabinet. She then picked up a clipboard with paperwork and began filling it out while leaning on the cabinet. "Sasuke, I am going down to the cafeteria after this, would you like anything to eat, drink?" Sakura asked while filling out his paperwork, she shifted her eyes over her clipboard waiting for his reply.

Sasuke met her observant gaze; he stared for some time as if carefully picking his words.

"I'm fine."

She then shifted her gaze at Kakashi; he just gave her a silent wave of his hand and got back to his reading.

She placed the clipboard on the counter and walked to the door; she peered over her shoulder and bid farewell with a small smile. "I'll be on my way. I will see you later Kakashi-sensei."

"Later." Kakashi waved off.

"Feel better, Sasuke-kun." She whispered as she held the door open before closing it behind her and taking her leave.

Sasuke looked at her retreating figure and then closed his eyes to rest.