Hello, hello! Here is another chapter of my story. To my faithful readers and reviewers thank you for keeping my spirit up.

Just a little rant:

Honestly, I have been reading a few forums and many fear that Sasu/Saku might collapse because of a mystery female character whom Sasuke will team up with. All I can say is, their bond as a team cannot easily be ruined by an appearance of a new character. And please remember when Sasuke loses control only Sakura can calm him down. Not just in the Forest of Death, but also in the fight at the hospital roof top plus he just had to leave her behind, if she came with him, Ororchimaru would kill her, Sasuke wouldn't want that you at all and so do we right? Right!

Now let's get it on with the show!!!!

Chapter 8

Resuscitate

Sasuke and Sakura speedily skipped through the roofs of Konoha. The young Uchiha watched the rosette haired girl flung herself in the air. He had been observing her moves and cannot help but admire the grace she exudes. It seems Kakashi is right, she has indeed surpassed Tsunade. He has seen her fight and heal, her chakra reserve is impressive. He has not seen it all yet, but seeing a glimpse is already an assurance that she has indeed gone a long way.

The raven haired boy has been fighting battles for the longest time he could remember. He has built up an instinct of knowing a rival's strength by merely seeing them. In the Hokage office, he has sensed Tsunade's strong aura but when Sakura arrived her presence just swallowed every thing up. If there was anyone capable of restraining him for a period of time, it was her. He didn't like it one bit, the girl he once judged as weak is now parallel to him. Surely if Sakura has improved the dobe Naruto could have also. He was never to be left behind strength wise. He can't say the same for intelligence though.

Sakura stopped and signaled Sasuke that they had arrived to her place. Sasuke was expecting a small apartment. To his surprise Sakura has a cozy looking house at the corner of Konoha. It was surrounded by greens and blossoms of different kinds. The atmosphere of her home was a perfect reflection of her, vibrant and full of promise. His head seemed to have floated while he walked towards her house, it had an inviting aura to it.

Sakura gently opened the door of her home. The gestured made Sasuke feel wanted and secured. Her home was neatly organized, something he expected of her. From his observation, the place can have two bedrooms. "You take the guest room, the one on the left side Sasuke." She eyed the man before her there seems something missing. "Don't you have things with you?" He swayed his head. "Nothing really just this small backpack of mine." She smiled sweetly at him. "Well feel free to do your laundry here all the time. You don't have to worry about me freaking out seeing your intimate apparel. I'm used to and seen worse."

"What do you mean worse?" he can't help but ask. She couldn't have given herself to some sick fool now hasn't she? "My friends, Naruto and Sai during missions would do laundry with me. Sometimes they would bicker when taking bath in rivers while on missions in underpants. Plus I am a doctor, so while I perform operations it is inevitable don't you think?" He sighed relieved, that explanation simply covers it up all.

"Are you hungry? I think I have some rice cakes in the fridge. Have some while I prepare dinner. Are you a vegetarian or any preferences in particular?"

"None" was his straight answer. "Good, I always trouble myself in making ramen for Naruto." She stated as she proceeded to the fridge. "Why don't you just serve Instant Ramen instead?" He queried. "Naruto is a dear friend, if I'm going to give him something I want it to the best."

Sakura did maintain her sweet self. "Feel free to look around Sasuke." His eyes traveled through the living room. His attention was caught by a pile of photographs displayed. There were pictures of her parents, a whole family shot, a group picture of the newly formed team seven and lots more. But what called his attention the most was a framed sketch. It was a striking likeness of her. Whoever made it has a strong connection to her. There was life in the eyes of the drawing, her smile perfectly captured. It was indeed beautiful, though the real thing is more outstanding.

"I see you are viewing my collection" hands behind her back she came close to him. "I love pictures, because they serve as a proof of my existence." She looked at him "Do you agree?" Shrugging he never cared about existence. Maybe if he were to be asked if he wanted to be born, Sasuke might have said no. "My friend Sai is an artist. He is the one who made this portrait. He has great talent plus awesome ninja skills." He remained silent. "I'll introduce you to them tomorrow. Both of them will be coming back from there respective missions."

"I'm impressed you managed to purchase a home for yourself." The Uchiha commented. "Well it took me one S class mission to get this place."

"It must have been a tough mission." He commented. "I guess it was, but I'm pretty sure it was worth it." Sakura ushered him to the dinning room. "How long has it been since you ate a home cooked meal?"

The question made Sasuke's mind spin. He couldn't remember the last time. Since Orochimaru's defeat he had to settle eating in restaurants or cook for himself. The food he prepares we always on the road. He never had a real home. It's quite amusing that he has gotten much after coming back to Konoha. Not only did the Hokage accept him back. He got admitted to a home and to be taken cared of one of the gentlest people he knew.

Sakura observed Sasuke. He was always silent, never talks back when not asked. Maybe he really has so many things to hide. But she wouldn't force him to talk. She hasn't known him too much to pry and maybe he was the type who likes prying.

Sasuke could sense her uneasiness. He was never the one to start conversations. It will be better for the both of them if he kept silent. He might say something stupid which she doesn't need to know. He watched her fiddle the chopsticks. Her hair was radiant under the lights of the room. Her lips shimmered with distinctive radiance. He wouldn't be surprised if men came and begged her to marry them. Well that is if they could get pass Naruto and Sai.

"Would they mind if they knew a guy was going to live with you?" he couldn't help but inquire. She raised an eyebrow "Who do you mean?" As she placed down her chop sticks. "Your friends, men can be over protective of female friends." At the back of his mind he knows, Naruto would curse him to death. Sai would want him to send him to the nether world. He would be accused of not keeping his side of the bargain. It wasn't his fault Tsunade order this right? Kakashi can testify to that.

"They know I can beat the crap about perverts, so I guess I'll survive." She answered confidently. Well she does have a point she won't be touched without her consent. "Sasuke, you don't plan on anything naughty right?" she blurted out with a hint of mischievousness in her voice. He defensively shook his head. "Now Sasuke, I promise not to make a move on you." She said laughing. "I bet you had a lot of fan girls wherever you go."

Her smile is so beautiful. He can't live with her without confessing his intentions. He has betrayed her countless times and now having a second chance, he might as well make it less hurtful. "Sakura, I need to tell you something. A brief history of myself." He just had to make things clear. She nodded in agreement. "You know the Uchiha massacre?" her eyes saddened as she answered a yes. "I am Itachi's younger brother. Kakashi was my teacher before I left Konoha to find Itachi and avenge my clan. I sold my soul to Orochimaru and was saved just in time by Konoha nins." He stated as a matter of fact, he was about to say other things when..

"After that, you have stayed out of trouble and offered your assistance to the village you once abandoned. I know about the detonator seal on you, I was informed that before I lost my memories I casted it on you. I know that team seven was the one who saved you from Orochimaru. That's why I have this house." She ended.

"Aren't you worried that a traitor is living with you?" he queried. "People will judge me and along with you also for associating with me." he explained. Things would be easier if she would just reject him. So he can assure himself that he can find redemption in her hating him. She just has to hate him, he deserves it.

"It doesn't matter to me Sasuke, because if you had ill intentions you should have died a few minutes ago." She smiled weakly. "Now stop feeling to guilty. You have a lot to prove and we must work on that." Those words were probably one of the biggest shocks in his life. Even at the fact she has forgotten about him, she still managed to care unconditionally for him.He looked away. "Sakura, your friends don't like me. Everyone probably doesn't like me."

She went near him and gently held his face and ushered it to face her. "Then I will make them understand. You deserve a second life Sasuke. Every repenting soul in agony deserves it." He was surprised of the close proximity. How could he deserve such grace from this wonderful woman? He pulled away before doing something stupid. Everything is going fine for the moment he just couldn't screw this up. For now, it was enough that he had her friendship. And within his conscience he knew he had a deal to keep in mind.