I DON NOT OWN NARUTO.
This is the last Chapter and is slightly shorter but still LONG like the other two. Enjoy!
Read and Review Please!
Screaming filled Sasuke's ear piece as several people tried talking at once. Thunderous footfalls from above filled the deadly quiet in the basement. Sasuke couldn't drink in air fast enough as his chest breathed quickly, his form stock still, almost scared to move.
Dark irises locked on to green eyes that had emotion as running so fast through them it was hard to pick them out.
Sakura still sat on the cold floor and restrained but blood not her own dotted her face and clothing. Her breathing was slow and calm as shock set in slowly from what just happened.
Sai lie face down at Sasuke's feet with blood seeping from his shoulder.
Sasuke blinked and was kneeling in front of Sakura shielding the body from her gaze. Sasuke's hands shook with both rage and happiness as he cupped Sakura's features. Looking into green eyes once more Sasuke made quick work of the cuffs just as guardians poured into the room.
As Sakura became free all the shock and adrenaline coursing her body went numb, throwing her arms around Sasuke a sob broke the room into silence. Sasuke held Sakura more tightly as his own body racked with relief.
Sasuke held Sakura as she continued to dampen his shirt with tears. Guardians slowly filed out the room with a wounded and unconscious Sai.
Naruto lingered as he watched Sasuke cradle Sakura with enough care you'd believe she were glass, the thought made a small smile reach the blondes face.
All the years of Sasuke being known for his cold distant demeanor evaporated with Sakura. She had single handedly changed him into a fierce but loving protector.
Naruto headed upstairs allowing the reunion of the two how had fought the odds.
Sasuke felt Naruto leave but didn't move.
Sasuke continued to kneel as Sakura crawled tightly into his embrace. Strong calloused hands rubbed soothing circles on a shaking back. Sasuke would never admit it openly but he was trying to calm Sakura as well as himself. Things could have been much worse if his team hadn't fired on time.
He was to back Sai toward the window so Juggo could fire the sniper, but things hadn't worked perfectly. Instead of killing Sai Juggo could only take a shoulder shot. Either way Sasuke was relieved Juggo had shot before Sai. Sakura's sobs had slowed during Sasuke's thoughts and he found her breathing more steadily. Rising slowly Sasuke lifted Sakura in his arms careful not to jar or move her to much.
Green eyes were closed and Sasuke swallowed heavily as he again realized how close things had been. Heading to the stairs Sasuke made a silent vow to never let Sakura endure anything like this again or deal with Sai from that second on.
Inhaling Sakura's calming scent as he walked toward outside Sasuke felt years older.
An ambulance with paramedics waited patiently for the duo. Sasuke laid Sakura's now sleeping form on a gurney but kept a hand clasped to hers.
Normally a guardian would see their charge only to the ambulance before joining the others for clean up, but Sasuke didn't care he climbed in beside the paramedics. A glance back wasn't even spared, his full attention in the woman he loved and almost lost.
A constant beep resonated through Sakura's world of blissful darkness and she tried in vain to block it out. She was enjoying swimming through her comfortable blanket a darkness. The beep sounded again and her agitation grew, she wanted to sleep but instead her mind crawled into consciousness.
Slow slithers of pain registered first with the annoying beep before faint murmurs.
Pain became more amplified as she inhaled deeply biting her lip.
Green eyes peeked open finally but to a dark room and her blood ran cold.
Fear that Sasuke finding her was a dream had Sakura's heart rate soar.
The beeping echoing her frantic heart rate had Sakura even further confused.
A deep breath calmed her racing thoughts as Sakura finally realized she want in a basement like she feared.
The plush pillow and stiff bed below her along with the monitoring beeping had tears drooping down her face.
'It wasn't a dream.'
A rough finger wiped away a trailing tear and Sakura tired her head too quickly sideways. Pain gladly raced in every muscle reminding her of the current affairs.
Peeling open green eyes after the initial pain ebbed away more tears tracked down Sakura cheeks.
Sasuke again whipped away the salty drops as a small smile ghosted his features. The darkness in the room was only shattered by the full moon outside the large hospital window. The soft light was just enough for Sasuke and Sakura to see each other.
Black hair was a ruffled mess indicating several hand thrusts through it. Dark shading around Sasuke's jaw told Sakura he hadn't shaved in a while. A wrinkled shirt also indicated that Sasuke had been occupying his bed side post seat.
"Hey." Sasuke's voice was rough with sleep. Sakura huffed a laugh in happiness ignoring her jarred ribs and answered with a raw, "Hi."
A large calloused hand found small soft fingers and squeezed lightly.
"How do you feel?"
Sakura almost lied but stopped short when her ribs reminded her not to. "I could use some morphine, everything hurts." Sakura closed her eyes at the sound of her raw voice, it was like she hadn't talked in days.
'Which is crazy I was awake yesterday. Maybe the shock did more damage.'
Thoughts stalled when Sasuke stood.
"I'm going to get the doctor on duty. I'll just be outside the door for a moment. Tsunade will probably come immediately when they report you woke up."
A quick squeeze of Sakura's hand and Sasuke walked across the room.
Halogen light slipped through the open cracked door as Sakura listened to Sasuke's deep voice murmur several commands before returning to her side.
Sasuke settled back in his chair as a nurse flipped on soft lights followed by a doctor Sakura knew too well.
Long blonde hair flowed over a white coat as Ino walked to Sakura's side. Blue and green eyes watered with tears momentarily. Ino exhaled heavily before switching to Dr. Yamaka. Ino allowed the nurse to administer the morphine while she took note of the monitors.
"Tsunade has been notified but no one will be back bother you until morning unless you need something." Ino's voice was calm as she spoke.
Sakura looked at Ino with confusion, "What about blood samples and the hourly check?"
Ino smirked before leaning down and kissing her friends head. "Worry not Haruno you need the rest more than to be woken. Besides your off duty so relax and let everyone enjoy you being back."
Sakura wanted to argue but Ino walked out the room. Confusion and morphine danced through Sakura, "Being back? I was only gone for like a day." Sakura felt the air next to her tighten with tension.
Sakura eyed a very stiff Sasuke, "It was only a day...right?"
Silence and more tension was again her only response. "Sasuke." Sakura's voice was firm yet fearful.
A few heartbeats passed before Sasuke closed his eyes in apparent pain before exhaling, "No, it wasn't just a day Sakura."
Green eyes narrowed before dark clashed against them, "You went missing for a day...but you've been in this hospital with me by your side for a week."
Sakura felt and heard her heart rate skyrocket and Sasuke was on his feet holding her hand tightly.
A sob broke over the heart monitor.
"Shhh baby. It's okay now. I'm here, please calm down. Shhh." Sasuke kissed Sakura's head and cradled her face with his other hand.
"A week. Oh, no. Sasuke I'm so sorry-"
"Whoa for what? Listen to me you did nothing wrong Sakura, okay? You had us all waiting and now you're awake and well that's all any of us care about. Don't you dare beat yourself up."
Sasuke continued to reassure Sakura everything was fine as her heart rate slowed.
Sitting back down Sasuke leaned his elbows on the bed.
A hiccup sounded before Sakura's words, "I thought you were gone."
Sasuke smirked, "Well I'm still here pinky and I will never go anywheres but your side. So your stuck with me."
A true smile etched it way to her features, "I wouldn't want it any other way when it comes to my dark angel."
Sasuke quirked an eyebrow as Sakura's soft giggle filled the room.
Sasuke sighed, he had missed her and her smile was his salvation.
Green eyes began to droop with sleep as the morphine took over completely, "I love my dark angel."
Sasuke's heart tripped over itself at her words and the purest smile he'd ever worn hung on his lips.
Several voices stirred Sakura's restful sleep and she picked up Sasuke's harsh whispers as she climbed to wakefulness, "You brought everyone? She needs rest you moron?!"
"I've slept plenty Sasuke." Sakura's voice was groggy as she looked at the guest filled room.
Naruto, Hinata, Neji, Kiba, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Ino, Tsunade, and several other strange people all crammed into her hospital room. Sasuke had an annoyed look etched on his face while sitting down.
Time flew by as Sakura talked with her friends and meet the remaining strangers: Karin, Juugo, Suigetsu, Lee, Guy, Shino, and Choji.
Sakura yawned after continual hours of company and was thankful when the room returned to only Sasuke's presence.
"They shouldn't have all come you need rest, damn Naruto doesn't think."
"Calm down Sasuke your feathers are getting ruffled. Besides I had fun, but thank you for your concern."
Sasuke 'hned.'
Rolling green eyes a tap came from the door before being opened.
Sasuke was on his feet within a blink, anger rolled off his tense body in tangible waves.
Sakura felt her body stiffen, fear of Sai coming back to attack stalled her breathing.
The man who stepped into the room was no one she expected to see.
Kizashi held a bouquet of roses in one hand while hesitantly meeting Sasuke's gaze. Fear was evident in Sakura's father.
"I came to visit like I said I would Sasuke, and I would like to-"
"You don't get the option of making requests. I expect you to apologize and get the hell out." Sasuke's authoritative tone cut down Kizashi's pleading one.
Sakura felt sorrow for the man she once hated as he bravely took Sasuke's onslaught.
A smile touched her lips. 'Sasukes more protective than I remember.'
"Sasuke it's okay."
"No, it not and he knows it. Don't you Kizashi especially after my last conversation with you."
Sakura watched Kizashi flinch and unconsciously touched his nose in phantom pain.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean things to get so out if hand. I didn't stop to consider you, I was too wrapped in getting power. I neglected my only family and I'm so sorry. It killed me to look at you, every time I do I see your mother. I was a coward to have left you alone, but I was even more of a terrible person when I blindly put you in harms way. I-I'm so s-sorry Sakura." Kizashi's voice broke and tears fell down his face silent sobs shook his frame.
Sasuke seemed oddly pleased with the broken man and his apology, and turned back to his chair.
Kizashi continued to stand by the door.
"It's okay." Sakura spoke lightly and held out her hand welcoming her father into the room.
Kizashi eyed Sasuke who only leaned back in his chair calmly.
"He may be scary but I promise Sasuke won't attack. His bark is worse than his bite." Sakura laughed at her own joke, but noticed how Kizashi visibly tensed when Sasuke smiled with hidden malice.
Setting the bouquet on Sakura's bedside table Kizashi careful took his daughter's hand.
Sasuke sat quietly listening to Sakura and Kizashi slowly begin to talk.
Hours flew by as Sakura and Kizashi laughed and cried together slowly healing past wounds.
The sun began to set when Sakura released a yawn.
"I should be going you need rest. I'll see you as soon as I can."
Kizashi made his quick exit.
"He's a lot different. What did you do?" Sakura's voice was filled with curiosity.
"Hn. Nothing more than knocked sense into him. Get some rest, tomorrow you get discharged and my mother is demanding I take you to her."
Sakura smiled as her body let exhaustion take over.
Sasuke stood and placed a kiss on Sakura's forehead before getting out of his chair.
Walking to the windowsill he unzipped a duffle bag Naruto had gotten for him earlier.
A pair of new clean clothes for both himself and Sakura lay inside. Smirking he grabbed his clothes.
Locking the room door Sasuke ventured to the private bathroom.
Several voices bounced around the large dining room as people celebrated Sakura's hospital discharge.
Multiple Guardians and their other halves introduced themselves and time slipped by.
Sakura numerous times thanked Mikoto and Fugaku for the party but they both would wave it off saying it was their pleasure.
The evening calmed slowly as some people left and Sakura found herself wrapping an arm around Sasuke. The couple stood on a terrace over looking a grand garden.
"You know Sasuke no ones mentioned what happened to Sai. He wasn't dead that day, a shoulder wound like that is nothing."
Sasuke exhaled, "That's because there is zero purpose in bringing him up. Sai is being taken care of in a more humane way than I would have allowed."
Sakura bit her lip to hold back a laugh, "And what that be."
"I would have had him begging for death, but alas he sits on death row in complete isolation for the next ten years." Sasuke spoke casually as Sakura felt a shiver pass through her body at being reminded of how Sasuke was a lethal Guardian.
Wind stirred the garden and sent the floral scents to the quiet couple.
"You know the first time I ever met you I knew you'd mean something to me. The thought scared the hell out of me. You were the first woman to rattle my cage and get under my skin, it's the one reason it took me so long."
When Sasuke didn't continue Sakura prompted him, "So long to what?"
"To finally admit to myself I'd found a woman I love."
Sakura smiled as Sasuke turned to look at her.
"The day Sai took you had me in a dark enough place, that I was willing to burn the world down and kill every opposition I came near. All the people inside had to remind me not lose sight of my goal."
Sasuke gingerly tucked pink hair behind Sakura's ear.
"My goal has and always will be loving and keeping you safe. I'm sorry I took so long to form traction on that, but I promise I'll spend the rest of my life making it up if I have to. I love you Sakura.
Sakura felt tears burn her eyes and reached on tip toes to meet Sasuke's lips.
Cat calls and hollers echoed from inside. Peeking from the corner of her eye Sakura saw all the remaining guests standing inside.
"Took you long enough bastard!" Naruto's obvious voice boomed and everyone collectively laughed.
"I'm going to knock that idiot into next week." Sasuke's spoke jokingly.
"Well my dark angel I prefer you didn't, he has become one of my best friends."
"Hn."
"Back to one syllable?" Sakura giggled when Sasuke smirked.
Throwing her hands around his strong neck, Sakura kissed the man of her life and he kissed back happily.
Breaking the kiss Sasuke casually whispered, "The press won't bothering you anymore, and since I've retired from Guardianship get ready to be worshiped. For the next moth of my vacation I plan to have you yelling my name in bliss, are you ready for that Dr. Haruno?
Sakura flet her body flush with anticipation, "Since I have to deal with a company VP from now on Ill take whatever you got, Mr. Uchiha."
Sasuke smikred at his pinkette, "Then lets get home and get started."
AN: I'm thinking of making an extra chapter solely in Sasuke's point of view where he sits beside Sakura in the hospital. Please Review and give me your thoughts. I will have Sasuke's POV up soon. If there are any chapters you would like in either Sasuke or Sakura's POV let me know and ill add it in as an extra!