SNOW GLARE

CHAPTER 8

Sakura sunk into her plump sofa, silently peering out into the remains of the garden she had been so proud of days earlier; the flowers she once spent tender hours of the morning attending to were imprisoned by frost, undefended and ultimately massacred in her short absence. Such a waste.

Two whole days had passed since Sasuke's imprisonment and not a lot had occurred, partly due to the fact that she was still struggling to process all the conversations that had taken place during the whirlwind of events that had taken place; but in all honesty, she was simply at a loss of what to do. Sasuke was such a delicate topic for all who lived in the village; viewed by most as the boy genius turned criminal who threw his life away to plot his revenge.

Dropping her head in defeat, the pinkette let loose a heavy sigh, her eyes fluttering closed as she heard the front door unlock from behind her; something she had grew accustomed to due to Ino's love for barging into her humble abode without warning. Despite how rude her friend's actions were in theory, company was exactly what she needed right now despite her unsocial behaviour since returning to the village two days ago.

Two pairs of feet trudging loudly through her home, a somewhat irked vibe emanating from the pair of visitors as they drew closer. I don't exactly need to be told off right now. If that's what this is about they have another thing coming, Sakura thought to herself as she flipped over, sitting upright only to be greeted by a blunt uppercut to her chin, sending the unsuspecting kunoichi flying behind the sofa head first.

"Where on Earth have you been!" Tsunade howled, her fist still extended as she turned to Ino who was meekly standing at her side.

Eyes bulging, Sakura rubbed her chin as she slowly got to her feet; looking out at the two furious women before her. To be honest she had expected a visit of sorts from her master, one that was more pointed and emotional than the discussion they had days earlier, but Tsunade's approach still managed to catch her by surprise. Pressing her eyes closed the medic plaited her arms under her chest, averting her gaze as she shifted; "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Ino repeated, her voice dripping with frustration as she threw her hands up in the air dramatically. "You don't talk to us after vanishing for days, and all you say is that you're sorry? I need details! What happened? Why were you with him?"

Sakura smiled as she silently noted the concern and irritation present in her friend's voice; "I know. It's just hard to know where to start, so much happened in such a short period of time."

"Then you better get started. It's clear that you have a lot to tell both of us," Tsunade replied coldly, frustration evident in her tone as she eyed her student carefully.

I guess I deserve that, saying nothing for two days doesn't help anyone; Sakura notes with a sigh, her hands running through her pink tresses as she took a seat back on her sofa, eyes fixed on the wooden floorboards. "There is a long story and a short story, the short story is that Sasuke needed my help due to medical reasons," she explains slowly, her troubled eyes slowly drifting upwards, locking with Tsunade's. "He was that desperate that he came into the village himself, knowing full well how he is perceived by the villagers and authorities."

Sakura's eyes remained steady as her voice waivered; emotions threatening to overflow as she tried her best to explain his situation without giving away too much information about his current state. "Sasuke never received the help that he requires from me. I know that if you release him into my care instead of letting him remain the jail he will not cause trouble, he doesn't want to start anything, he just needs help. I can vouch for him Tsunade-sama, please..."

Sighing, the older woman took a seat at the kitchen table, her hands massaging her temples as she lost herself deep in thought for a moment. "Don't you get tired of always trying to protect him?" She replied tiresomely as she looked up at young woman before her; "I was like you when when Orochimaru went rogue, but there was a point when I could no longer defend him."

A soft smile tugged at Sakura's lips as she walked over to the kitchen table, taking a seat opposite Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama, I know you're worried. Both about me and the village, but we're talking about the guy I've loved for as long as I can remember. I will never give up on him; believe me, I tried."

Raising her left brow Tsunade shook her head, "I find it hard to believe that this never exhausts you. But I have to admit that you really did try to move on, so I guess the current situation cannot be helped."

Sakura stood up, placing her hands firmly on the table before her she felt her lips quiver, "Please, just let me treat him."

"How can we justify healing a criminal?" Tsunade replies harshly, her words tearing through the air like a blade.

Ino nodded in agreement, "Sakura, I know how you feel. Sasuke was a huge part of my childhood too but it's just that; my past. He's not the same now, he is no longer part of this village whether we like it or not, he's a danger to us all."

Composing herself Sakura turned away from them both, looking out of the window. "He's changed, not entirely but he has changed enough for me to say he's not completely insane like he was when he gained the mangekyo sharingan" she stated as she watched the snowflakes dance past her window on the wind; "He realises that he's not invincible now."

"I thought you were stronger than this Sakura," Tsunade replied hoarsely. "He is a snake in the true sense of the word; the second you start to trust him he will strike and you will be hurt once more."

Looking back at Tsunade, Sakura was speechless. "You never truly gave up on Orochimaru and you didn't love him, we both know that no matter what you say to me. So why should I give up on Sasuke? He was my team mate, a treasured friend and he is someone I love with every fibre of my being;" she replied as she watched her teacher shift uncomfortably at the mention of Orochimaru's name. "Please, just let me heal him and then speak to him yourself. He might co-operate more once he is at ease," she stated as she leant back against the kitchen wall.

"Sakura, do you really think that it's a good idea to trust that he's changed after only 3 days with him?" Ino fired back from the other side of the room, her temper rising as fear bubbled away within her. "Are you forgetting that he kidnapped you?"

Tsunade rested her chin atop of her entwined hands, her mind racing with responses, only one worthy of being spoken out loud; "He is a criminal, but if he has any desire to change then in the future he may be of use. He will need to be much more respectful than he was earlier also." Taking a long pause, the older woman watches Sakura carefully; "He can stay under your care. If even something slight goes astray, I will have no option other than to sentence him as a criminal you must understand that, Sakura." I hope he realises just how fortunate he is to receive your love, heaven knows he doesn't deserve such loyalty.

Sakura smiled faintly, her eyes growing glassy as she tried her best to compose herself; "Thank you, Tsunade-sama, I will keep you updated." I promise he will prove himself, your faith in me hasn't been misplaced.

"Understood," Tsunade replied as she rose from her seat, "Just don't let him manipulate you. Your new mission is to straighten him out. Prove that he is a better person, for all our sakes," she added as she and Ino walked out the front door.

Sakura slid down the back of the door, breathing a sigh of relief as soon as they had left. They have a right to not trust him, she thought to herself as she reached for her coat and shoes; Even if it is only me who has faith in him that's enough for now. He just needs to see that there is a chance to prove himself here – a reason to even try. Rising to her feet once more, she picked up her weapons pouch and reached for the door handle, making her way outside for the first time in days.

The cold wind greeted her as soon as she stepped onto the street, and unsurprisingly the response from the locals wasn't much warmer as the sound of her footsteps silenced everyone she passed. Idiots, she thought to herself as she held her head up high; But if I was the one in their position what would I think? She wondered as she stopped dead in her tracks, gazing down at the tiny chunks of ice melting as they rested upon her exposed toes. I don't even know if what I'm doing is the correct thing to do; I just want to trust that everything will be okay this time.

"Sakura-chan?" a familiar voice calls out from in front of her; "You finally left your house.."

Slowly looking up to meet his deep azure eyes, tears slipped down Sakura's cheeks, her expression unfazed for the most part; "Naruto." His timing is always the worst.

Wincing at the sight of her tears, Naruto stepped forward; his hand arm reaching out for her own as he pulled her in the direction of the jail. "Come on, let's go together," he whispered, "You're going to see him, aren't you? I couldn't bring myself to go alone. Pathetic, I know."

Sakura remains silent as she stares up at the blond in disbelief, silently following his lead as he tugged her towards the cells; her hand still claimed by his sudden bold move. "I'm sorry about the other day," she whispers just loud enough for him to hear, "I had no intention of misleading you…" she continued, ashamed at the words spilling from her own mouth. I'm pathetic, truly pathetic. Her chest tightened as she took haggard breaths of air; shamed at her previous actions.

"I will only say this once more," Naruto states as he walked onwards, golden hair flicking in the crisp wind; "No matter what happens or what you say to me I will always care for you." Turning around he places his hands on her shoulders; the door to the jail that held their comrade behind his back.

Taking a sudden breath Sakura tried to break his intense eye contact as he watched her; his eyes full of adoration and heartbreak. It was hard to know whether it was better to acknowledge or to ignore the bold statement he had just made; after all, she had made it very clear that she didn't feel the same on countless occasions.

"Even if Sasuke has your heart, I will always be here to catch you if you fall," he added, a lonely expression claiming his features as he released her hand after what felt like a century. "I will always love you more than anything, until the day I die."

Flustered, Sakura felt her cheeks flush a shade of pink at his bold confession; After years of joking around he finally said it. I don't know what to say; he knows Sasuke is the one I love.

Laughing, Naruto spun around; "Pretend I never said any of that. I meant it and all, but it's better if you don't respond or you will just make me feel worse. I just had to say it once." Looking over his shoulder he forced his usual toothy grin, hand outstretched in the direction of the jail cells, "Let's bring team 7 back."

Blinking multiple times Sakura couldn't help but smile, I love Sasuke but Naruto is my steady source of happiness, he always has been. "There is a lot for us all to talk about and resolve," Sakura replied simply as she strode past him, reaching for the door handle to the facility, Naruto at her side; "But that's not going to be difficult, after all there's nothing Team Seven can't do, right?"