Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto! I do not get any profit from this fiction. I only write for fun and to improve my creativity.

Chapter Seven

Love.

The reason I dislike that word,

Is that it means too much for me,

Far more than you can understand.

Leo Tolstoy

Uzumaki Naruto had been training for the past two hours.

Stopping his rigorous training to take a brief break, he sat under a tree and took his pack to look for the bento box lunch, and a bottle of water he had purchased on his way to the training grounds. He would usually go for ramen, but he decided he would have ramen later tonight, and hopefully invite Sakura to go with him.

He was on his second mouthful when something solid collided with his face sending him flying toward a distant tree. He stood up glancing at his bento box splattered on the floor, and searched the clearing for the offender responsible of his tragedy. After a second, his eyes zeroed on a figure behind a tree.

"What the hell is your pro…" His words were lost when he caught sight of the person.

"TEME!" He called out grinning. "You're back!"

"Naruto" The Uchiha said coldly

"What the hell was that for?" Asked the Kyuubi vessel a little aggravated, remembering what his friend had just done to his food. "That hurt! And you owe me a bento box" He said rubbing the side of his face. "You are lucky I love you, Sasuke"

"You deserved it" Sasuke scoffed, glaring at him.

"WHAT!? HOW!? WHY!?" Naruto shouted a little louder than necessary.

"For making me waste my time."

"Eh?" Naruto said scratching his head. "What are you talking about?"

Just then, Naruto remembered Sasuke's note, requesting information about the former heiress.

"If you came looking for Hinata-chan, she is on a mission" Naruto said a little defensively.

"You are an idiot." Sasuke said becoming annoyed. "Let's spar"

"I just finished training, and I'm…" Naruto didn't get a chance to finish his sentence when the Uchiha had started attacking him "I'm gonna kick your ass, SASUKE!"

Uchiha Sasuke was livid. The future Hokage noticed how his friend Taijutsu became fiercer with every passing minute. The Uzumaki noticed his best friend had activated the Sharingan, something he only did in a serious battle. It came to his attention that Sasuke was not only angry, but that his anger was directed at him.

"Okay..." Naruto panted trying to block every attack Sasuke threw at him "What's wrong?" Sasuke didn't say anything. "I can tell you're mad at me."

"You're an idiot!" Sasuke hissed, throwing another kick.

"Stop!" Naruto said forcing his friend to stop the spar. "Just tell me what did I do."

The former avenger considered attacking Naruto once more, but decided against it. Instead, the Uchiha opted for telling his idiot friend what had happened.

"It's your fault I'm here." Sasuke growled.

"Okay?" Naruto looked at him confused. "Is that a bad thing?" The Uchiha ignored his question.

"I requested information about the Hyūga, and you didn't give me anything useful." Sasuke was trying to control his anger.

"Why do you want to know about her!?" Naruto was starting to get defensive.

"I don't!" Sasuke shouted losing his temper.

"Sasuke…" Naruto said threatening. "You're my best friend, but I won't forgive you if you hurt Hinata-chan. She is a good girl and…"

"Funny how you're the one to say that." Sasuke said remembering how the Hyūga reacted at the mere mention of Naruto's name.

Naruto flinched. "What are you talking about?"

"Naruto" Sasuke sighed in exasperation. "You're still as dense as I remember."

Naruto was about to argue back when Sasuke held out his hand signaling that he still wasn't done talking. Deciding that telling Naruto the truth was for the best, the Uchiha took a seat under a tree and began to tell his best friend what had happened with the Hyūga, from the moment he found her. The former Avenger told him everything, but spared Naruto the details of how she had attempted against her life. He didn't want to make his best friend feel guiltier, even though he probably deserved it.

"But she is on a mission..." Naruto said lowering his gaze in confusion.

"She was never on a mission, Naruto." The former avenger said "Kakashi lied to you. He used you to make me bring the Hyūga back to Konoha."

"Sensei lied" Naruto clenched his fists, finally understanding. "Sasuke, why was she running away from Konoha?"

"Isn't it obvious?" The Uchiha retorted. "She gave up."

"What do you mean by that?"

The Uchiha looked at his friend, and wondered if he really had to answer. As he studied his best friend's face, he realized he didn't have to tell him anything, for Naruto already knew. Something tugged at Sasuke's heart at his friend's expression, making the Uchiha forget why he had wanted to kick his ass in the first place.

"Did you giver her an answer?" The former avenger asked and Naruto looked up at his friend, eyes full of guilt.

Although, the Uchiha didn't have all the details, he knew the Hyūga had confessed her love for Naruto during the Pein attack. He wondered if Naruto ever gave her an answer. By the looks of it, he never did. It would only explain why the former heiress didn't have anything left in this village to stay for.

"She was so depressed when Neji died that I… I didn't want to cause her any more pain." Naruto began to explain. His face contorting in what the Uchiha could only guess was pain and guilt. "I didn't know she was no longer the heiress, and neither did I care to ask. I just…" He trailed off, hands trembling in frustration.

"Stop blaming yourself." Sasuke said raising up from his spot. "Let's go have lunch, my treat."

"Thank you, Sasuke" Naruto said looking at his friend with the most profound sincerity the Uchiha had seen him display in awhile. "For bringing her back. I promise, I will take better care of her."

"Let's go before I change my mind" The Uchiha grunted. He could deal with a boisterous Naruto, but not the emotional mess he was at the moment. "Let's go to Ichiraku."

At the mention of his favorite place, the Uzumaki smiled at his friend.

"Alright, let's go."

"Hokage-sama" Hiashi greeted "Was my daughter found?"

"Hiashi-sama" Kakashi greeted "Yes, we found Hinata. She is in the hospital, but she is fine. I asked for an evaluation."

"Good" Said the stoic clan leader. "When will she be able to return home?"

"According to Sakura's evaluation, she should be going home tomorrow." Kakashi smiled under his mask. "Also, I've placed an ANBU to watch her in case she attempts to escape again."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama" Hiashi said bowing slightly "I'll be sending Kō to watch over her."

"Of course, just make sure you tell Kō to hand this scroll to the ANBU doing guard." The Hokage said as he wrote something on a scroll and handed it to Hiashi. "I'm letting him know that Kō will be taking over."

Hiashi took the scroll and bowed in appreciation.

"Hokage-sama, may I know who found her?" Hiashi inquired. "As far as I remember, her search team came back without her."

"Ah, yes" Kakashi smiled. "Uchiha Sasuke found her and brought her back." The Hokage said waiting for a reaction, and he was not disappointed to see the slight look of surprise on the stoic Hyūga. Of course, it had only lasted for a second or two.

"I see..." The stoic Hyūga said.

It was known that the Uchiha and the Hyūga's relations were almost nonexistent before the massacre. Both clans differ in believes and practices. During the time the Uchiha went under trial, the Hyūga elders were against forgiving the former Avenger. Like the rest of Konoha's habitants, they feared the mental stability and intentions of the young man. Out of all the clans in the village of the Hidden Leaf, the Hyūga's were the most against his return. However, unable to go against their hero's wishes, they accepted the Uchiha back to the village.

"Very well Hokage-sama, I will make preparations for her arrival." Hiashi announced. "Now, if you excuse me I will take my leave."

"Hiashi-sama" The Sixth Hokage called after him. His eyes focused on the Hyūga leader. "I'm afraid the situation is more… delicate."

"Did something happen to my daughter?" Hiashi frowned.

"She tried to take her life." Kakashi said observing the patriarch carefully for any sign of surprise or distress, but this time the patriarch didn't even flinch. "According to Sasuke, she refused to return to the village. Do you know why she was so adamant not to come back?"

"I'm afraid not, Hokage-sama."

"Ah…" Kakashi said. "Very well then Hiashi-sama, you are dismissed."

"Thank you."

With that, the patriarch bowed in reverence one last time and left the Hokage's office without another word.

Hatake Kakashi did not believe a single word the Hyūga clan leader had said. Yet, unable to intervene in the clan's affairs, he remained quiet and decided to investigate what was happening another way.

She looked at her reflection in the hospital restroom before leaving for the night. Haruno Sakura had been working for 10 hours, and her shift had finally ended after finishing with a last-minute emergency. She wrinkled her nose at her appearance. No amount of makeup would be able to hide those horrible purple circles under her eyes. How was she supposed to see Sasuke like this? She would scare him to death if she went to see him looking like this. But she really wanted to go see him.

Sighing in defeat, she took her bag and left the restroom. She waved and said her goodbyes to the nurses in charge for the night, always reminding them to call her if there was an emergency. They said their goodbyes and wished her a goodnight.

The medic-nin absolutely loved her job. Yes, it was exhausting and took long hours of her social life, but the satisfaction she felt after every shift was worth it.

Walking by Ichiraku, she remembered when team 7 would gather for ramen on days when they didn't have missions. She missed their genin days, when they were just starting their shinobi lives, full of dreams and hopes for the future. Looking at the place melancholically, she wondered if it was a good idea to go visit Sasuke this late at night. Would he be annoyed by her visit? Would she upset him? Perhaps it was better to wait until morning…

Maybe, he'll be happy to see me? She reasoned. Five minutes, Sakura. Only five minutes.

Making up her mind, Sakura sprinted to the apartment the Sixth Hokage had given Sasuke three years ago after he was pardoned. As she got closer, she felt her heart race like it always did at the mention of his name or the sight of his beautiful face.

Standing in front of the door to the Uchiha's apartment, she took a shaky breath and knocked three times.

I hope he's not sleeping. What would he say when he sees me? Would he ask me to be with him? She mused distractedly.

"Sakura"

At the sound of his voice behind her, she swirled around almost tripping over her foot. In front of her, stood the object of her affection. The person she loved more than her life. The one that held her heart since she was only a little girl.

"Sasuke-kun…" She breathed

"Distracted as always" He said with his perpetual scowl.

She ignored his arrogant comment.

"You came back!" She said blushing an intense pink.

Sakura's heart was pounding hard, making her breaths a little erratic. Seeing him back in the village was like a dream come true. She didn't think she would see him any time soon. But here he was. Right in front of her.

He looked different, more manly, more handsome, more... mature. She decided she liked this version of him better.

"I've missed you, Sasuke-kun." She said shyly lowering her gaze and peeking at him through her bangs. The blush in her cheeks becoming more prominent.

"I'm not here to stay." The Uchiha said curtly.

"What do you mean?" She looked up abruptly and slightly confused. "You just got here."

"I'm leaving tomorrow morning after I speak with Kakashi."

"You're leaving?" She furrowed her brows, sounding a bit disappointed. "B-but why won't you stay, Sasuke-kun?"

"Don't make this more difficult, Sakura."

"Please, stay with me… I-" He cut her when her voice took a desperate tone.

"Sakura. Do. Not." He said sternly. She winced.

It was unfair. He had just come back to her, and she was going to lose him again. Sakura knew that nothing she'd say or did would make the Uchiha stay in Konoha. But, she would try. If she couldn't convince him to stay, she would beg him to let her come with him. Because Haruno Sakura would follow Uchiha Sasuke to the ends of hell if it meant that they could be together. If it meant she could be with him.

"Then let me come with you, Sasuke-kun!" She pleaded. "Let me make you happy. I know that I can-"

"I want to be alone." He cut her off. "I told you that."

"But that was three years ago-"

"No!" He growled losing the little patience he had.

She knew he was becoming exasperated. She knew she was losing him. He was gonna leave her again. As she began to imagen her life without him, and how lonely her days were since he left, she felt the tears forming in her eyes threatening to fall.

No, no I cannot let him do this to me again!

In a moment of desperation, she clung to his arm. "Sasuke-Kun, don't leave me! Not again!" She pleaded desperately as tears began to fall down her face. "I can't take it… I've been waiting for you for so long… I love you!"

"I know." He said, and she swore she heard something close to guilt. "Thank you."

"Sasuke-kun ple…"

"Enough!" He commanded with a finality.

Sakura let go of his arm and stood there, looking down to her feet. Gasping for air. Crying for her love. Losing him again.

He didn't glance her way as he walked past her to his apartment. She heard him open the door and close it behind him. Leaving her standing there with a broken heart, like he had done so many years ago when they were only Genin. Like he had done three years ago. Once again, he had rejected her love, and she wasn't sure she could take it this time.

Sasuke-kun…

He knew that he shouldn't feel this aggravated, but he did. It shouldn't be of a surprised to him that she pleaded him to come with him... again. Sakura was the only woman in the whole village capable enough to make him feel this way. He didn't understand why she held on to him, even when he had tried to kill her in more than one occasion. Even Ino had moved on and had started dating that weird guy named Sai. So why couldn't Sakura do the same? Why did she love him? They barely knew each other. It was ridiculous.

Yet, that's not what irritated him the most. It was her resistance and her inability to understand that he didn't want to be here, in this village. That he was not going to stay in Konoha, at least not any time soon.

He sank on his bed and growled into his pillow in frustration. Why did she have to make him hurt her?

She hasn't changed.

He felt guilty; so guilty he was almost willing to promise her he would come back and marry her someday. He intended to marry her, for he knew she loved him; and what more could someone like him ask for? He was willing to compromise... He really was, but at his own time; and right now it wasn't his time. Yet, that too felt wrong, he knew that wasn't fair to her.

Sakura was a beautiful girl, a good comrade, and a successful medical-nin. Who was he to make her wait for him, when he didn't know when he'd be ready to come back? Or if he would ever be ready to come back. No, he wouldn't do that to her. He wouldn't take away the possibility of Sakura meeting someone new. Someone who could really love her and appreciate her the way she deserved.

That someone wasn't him.

Author's Note: Early update, yay! Once again, thank you all so much for your support! You are all so wonderful and amazing! I never thought my story would be liked this much.

This chapter was a little harder to edit. I kept removing and adding stuff, but I finally settled for this version. I hope you like it. Sorry for the poor writing, I've been a bit sick lately and it's not helping me focus.

Answer to Reviews:

Gangnam Style X3: I'm glad that you understood why Sasuke brought her back. It is precisely his brother's mentality that influenced him. He already feels bad for letting Kakashi use him lol. We'll see what happens in future chapters though!

DAngel7: I can answer those questions now: 1) The only time Sasuke was labeled a missing nin was when he betrayed the village by joining Orochimaru. The reason why Sasuke wasn't labeled a missing nin when he left the village (chapter 699), it's because Kakashi (as the Hokage) and team seven understood he needed time to come to terms with everything that happened. Now, for Hinata is a little different. Kakashi didn't find her a traitor, but HER clan did. So, the real problem is the clan. The Hyūga's are obsessed with protecting the Byakugan secrets, so when she left the village (and by default the clan) they dimmed her as untrustworthy. I hope that explains her situation. 2) I could have put her out of duty, but that didn't sound like Hinata at all, and Kakashi would suspect of something and she didn't want that. I could have sent her as an ambassador, but she would still be connected to the village and Naruto. All she wanted was to start anew. And finally, any of the other options would change the story I am looking for. I hope that answers your questions. Thanks for asking!

Viralvera: I hope you don't hate Sakura after this chapter haha. I wasn't going to be too mean to my Naruto-kun either, I've always had a weak spot for my sunshine boy. I hope this chapter is of your liking though.

UchihaYamuniko-clan: Oh my, I am so happy you like my fic so far. I hope I don't disappoint you or anyone else. Also, it always makes me happy when people tell me I've kept the characters as close to canon as possible. Thank you for your reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Snutz: Hii! Thank you so much for your lovely words. I'm glad that you like it so far and that I've done a good job with the characters. If life doesn't get in the way, updates will continue weekly. To answer your questions: 1) I don't know if there will be a lemon. I personally don't feel comfortable writing lemons, that's why it's rated T. If I decide to include a one, it would be toward the end. 2) There is no need to worry about that. I intend to keep this story as close to canon as possible. So no, you won't see anything crazy. I hope you give this story a chance, and that you continue to enjoy it.

See you next Friday!