Hey guys here is another chapter but before you guys read on I would like to clarify few things. First of all, I want to thank all of you who gave suggestions regarding Sakura's singing career. But I would like to stress that, that I have already decided on a playlist so it might be difficult to accommodate your requests but be rest assured that I have taken into account all of your requests. Also, people looking for character sketch of Sakura and Negi please look at previous chapters. Everything has been explained earlier. Thank you.

Also, the next chapter will start the new chapter in Sakura's life. So without further ado. Onwards!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 10: Home sweet home

Sakura was sitting at the beach, watching the sun transcend its way down the sky, shooting rays of pink and orange. She was wearing denim short shorts with a white tank top and was gazing out at the ocean, watching the tide roll in and out.

It was the last day of Caribbean visit and tomorrow she would be back on that god forsaken ship. Her excitement of Anemistiras had been uprooted completely by the experience she had, had on it. People say if you get excited and happy about a certain prospect before its initiation, most of the times it ends up as a disappointing one. Sakura found herself in a similar position. She had gotten too thrilled about the trip and it had ended up hurting her.

She sighed as she watched the sun sink lower. Caribbean was a beautiful place and she had enjoyed immensely with Sally. The first thing that she had done, once she had reached the hotel and settled in, was to go to an ATM and withdraw her own money. She hadn't brought any as she was under the pretence of Sasuke taking care of her. She had imagined them enjoying on the beach, looking through the local shops, chilling in the heat with an ice cream, taking a romantic moonlight stroll through the city and so on. But all her hopes and dreams had been dashed by a fiery young woman.

Though, in the end, she had end up doing all these with her own money and Sally. Sometimes, other members of the staff would also join them. Overall, her stay at the Caribbean hadn't been bad. She had a great time with some great friends. On the plus side, it had been a Sasuke-Karin free vacation for her.

She had once caught them frolicking in the ocean. As usual, Ms. Chase was donning another one of her red skimpy bikini's and was busy throwing water and of course, herself on Sasuke. Though, Sasuke wasn't exactly minding it and instead, seemed to be enjoying himself extremely.

Sakura's heart had lurched painfully in her chest, no matter how much she tried she just couldn't stop loving Sasuke. She looked at the couple impassively. She wondered If Sasuke even cared about her and if not care, then maybe thought about her if it only was once a day. But looking at Sasuke she just felt like she was trying to hold on to little hope which she didn't have. She would always love Sasuke, her heart belonged to him but the trust and the blind faith she had for him was trickling away slowly like sand in an hourglass.

Once she was going through the local shops trying to decide what gifts to take back home for the Uchiha's and the staff. When Sally asked her the question, Sakura had been dreading.

"Sakura, can I ask you something personal if you don't mind." asked Sally.

"Yeah sure. Go ahead" Sakura had responded.

"You love Sasuke. I know I have seen it in your eyes. But the way you look at him now is like he crushed your heart and betrayed you. I can understand why you couldn't just leave him in the middle of the cruise, you know, because of all the water around us and all. But what I can't understand is why didn't you just leave as soon as you reached Caribbean? You have the money and there is no incentive for you to stay here. So why didn't you just leave and saved yourself from more of the heartbreak that is about to come your way as soon as we board the ship again?" she asked, slightly breathless with the effort of rushing the question out of her mouth as fast as she could.

Sakura was silent for a minute staring at a beautiful vase in front of her with its intricate design and abstract colours. She took a deep breath and turned her gaze towards Sally.

"I don't know" she replied, "There are several reasons holding me back. The main reason being that I love Sasuke and I just can't abandon him. He specially requested my presence on the ship. I don't know why but I will not leave him when he clearly asked me to be here. Also, the Uchihas have been very kind to me and I can't just go home and make them worry as to what Sasuke had done to me that had made me come back home early. I don't want to make them sad or disheartened to see me hurt and all. In the end, there is also a matter of my pride. I refuse to be driven away by their antics to scare me away, instead I should be the one to scare them away not them. I refuse to give them power over me."

Sally had just nodded sympathetically but Sakura herself felt a change in her. Somewhere on this journey, she had lost her innocence and turned a new leaf. She decided to stay that way, to not run for shelter in face of danger but to stand in front of it and face it with all she got.

Her reminiscing of the shopping trip was rudely interrupted by someone who had coughed to get her attention. She turned around to find Shikamaru standing behind her. During the whole trip she hadn't talked to him, not that he had returned the same favour.

"Hey, Sakura" he said awkwardly, "Can I sit with you?"

Sakura just shrugged in response. He sat down beside her and turned his attention to the beautiful sunset in front of them. Neither of them said anything to each other, just revelling in the warmth of the last of the sun's rays.

"Sakura, I know that I have only come to know you because Sasuke and I were college friends." He began, "You are the sweetest girl I know better than anyone I have come across. I have always cherished your friendship. I respect you from the bottom of my heart. I marvelled the way you have taken care of whole of the Uchiha household for the past 4-5 years. And I feel really bad for what you had to endure on this trip. I wanted to do something but I just didn't know what to do. But I am really sorry for everything that transpired on the ship" he finished lamely.

"Look, Shikamaru. It is perfectly alright. By the way, you are Sasuke's friend first and then mine. So, you always knew where your loyalties lied. Even though you might have wanted to help me but you were still more concerned with your friendship with Sasuke." she said quietly.

"That's not true. I am always loyal to all my friends be it Sasuke or you" he replied.

Sakura appraised him from the corner of her eyes. She felt bad for him. He had come to offer his support and she was behaving with him so rudely. Though it hurt that people who she thought were her friends, didn't stand up for her. But Shikamaru's concern and apology touched her.

So she plastered a smile on her face and turned towards him.

"Forget about it, Shika. You don't have to apologize. This trip has made me learn a lot of new things about myself. Besides, the trip is not over yet. So, if anything gruesome happens next time, you can be my shoulder to cry on." she replied jokingly, "Anyway, if Naruto and Sasuke, who used to be my best friends can treat me like this, what can I expect. Also, it's not like Sasuke has changed or anything. From what I have heard he was always like this on such cruise trips." She looked solemnly at Shikamaru's sheepish reaction.

"You are an amazing woman, you know" he replied after a while, "Sasuke is a fool to lose you."

She didn't reply back but just stared at the sunset. Her eyes started welling up with tears again. Sometimes, she just wanted to scream at god for all the injustice he was doing against her. First, he took her parents whom she loved so much and now Sasuke, who had come to hold her heart. On top of that, she had to endure such an awful journey with such stinging remarks. And the journey hadn't even ended yet! It all felt unfair to her.

She felt Shikamaru's arm loop around her shoulders and she in turn just rested her head on top of his shoulder. Her eyes were still brimming with unshed tears.

"Its okay" he cooed softly, "Let it all go. Everything's going to be alright."

Though her mind didn't believe a word he said but her heart wanted to give in to his words. Shikamaru just held her close as she let all the tears she had held back finally fall.

The next two days on the ship were horrible but not as horrific as the first two day. Sakura, gaining her new confidence, could easily silence their sharp tongues with her witty remarks. Even then Karin and her cronies didn't leave any opportunity to trouble or humiliate her. And, of course, Sasuke turned a blind eye to everything.

Finally, it was the last night of cruise, actually it was 2 in the morning and Sakura had just shut down the party. She was so happy that she would be finally reaching home that she couldn't even sleep. She silently gazed out at the water.

Somewhere, she was going to miss this calm, the lapping of the waves against the ship and the salty smell of the sea. The experience that she had had turned her world completely 180 degrees. She was feeling much more confident now.

She didn't know for how long she kept staring at the water body in front of her but after a while her view changed from endless seas to looming skyscrapers. Though they were still a little far away but even then she felt excited. She went downstairs to pack her things. After half an hour, she heard the sound of ship docking at the harbour. She went over to a bundle of blankets that was Sally and shook her awake.

"Wha… Sakura? What time is it?" she muttered, her voice full of sleep.

"It is almost 5:30 in the morning. Sally, look I cannot stay on this ship any longer. I mean I thought I could hold up till the end of the cruise but being so close to home I just want to go back. And I know I will leave you in a tight situation with all the checkouts and cleaning but-"

"Go, Sakura. It's okay. That is what friends are for. I know it has been hard for you to be on the ship. You have really suffered and I want you to be happy now. So, go now. I will take care of everything. I am used to working on the ship. Go." She smiled at Sakura.

Sakura smiled back and gave her a big hug. Then she took hold of her bags and made her way towards the deck. She just couldn't wait to get off the ship. The ship crew was busy mooring the ship and didn't pay any attention to her. She was almost at the exit when a voice stopped her.

"Leaving without saying goodbye are we?"

She turned around to find DJ Lolly in a light t-shirt and black jeans staring intently at her.

"Drake! You scared me!" she exclaimed.

"I told you not to call me that. I told you to call me Lolly." he said, he moved towards her till he was right in front of her, "So no goodbyes, huh?"

"I am sorry. I just wanted to get home so bad that I just felt like leaving as soon as I could. But of course, I would have called you. No, no, I am really sorry. This is no excuse. I should have said goodbye." she rambled on, "I mean it was such a harrowing experience that I just don't want to stay one more minute on this ship, you know. No, I should have….. I mean…." she stuttered lamely.

He enveloped her in his arms.

"Shhhhh… calm down…its okay" he said, stroking her hair softly, "I understand what you had to go through. It's fine."

The stayed like that for a minute before breaking apart.

"So, It's goodbye then" she said quietly.

"Nahhh" he said, "We will meet sooner than you know."

Sakura though feeling confused just nodded her head. With Lolly's help she got off the ship and made her way towards the taxi stand.

The sky had grew lighter by the time she reached the Uchiha manor. It had took her almost an hour to reach back.

As soon as she entered, she saw Mikoto sitting in the dining area reading a newspaper. A lump grew in Sakura's throat, she had really missed her and Fugaku. Mikoto looking up to see that it was Sakura, made her way towards her.

"Sakura dear, you are back so early. I thought you won't be back till noon. So how was the trip? Did you enjoy it? And where is Sasuke?" she looked at her, a glance that was both questioning and slightly confused.

Sakura in response just flung herself in Mikoto's arms and cried her heart out.

"Sakura! Dear! What's wrong?" her tone clearly alarmed. She broke apart to look at her.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Sakura just shook her head and hugged her again, crying really hard. Mikoto sensing her distress and her wish to not talk about it, just held Sakura close to her and stroked her.

"It's okay, baby. I am here now. Everything's going to be alright." Mikoto cooed softly.

Sakura just kept on crying, holding Mikoto until she couldn't cry anymore. With Mikoto's help, they made up to her room where she collapsed on the bed and was tucked in by Mikoto. She fell into a dreamless sleep, with Mikoto softly stroking her head and humming a lullaby, which she used to sing when Sakura couldn't sleep after her parents' accident.

It was almost lunch time when Sasuke reached his estate but he wasn't alone. He and Karin made their way to his house.

"Mom! Dad! I am back!" he yelled.

"Sasuke!" Mikoto exclaimed and made her way to embrace her son. Fugaku was right behind her.

"And who is this lovely lady?" Mikoto inquired politely.

"Oh! This is Karin Chase and Karin, these are my parents" Sasuke performed the introductions.

"It is nice to finally meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha." she purred softly, "Sasuke speaks so highly of both of you."

"It is nice to meet you too, Karin" said Fugaku, "So, I am taking you two met on the cruise?"

"Yes, that's right" Karin purred again, looping her arm with Sasuke's and snuggling close to him, "Actually we are…" she broke of looking at Sasuke expectantly.

"Actually, we are dating." informed Sasuke.

"Oh! That's….. That's wonderful." said Mikoto, feigning happiness. Something about Karin just didn't seem right to her.

"Well" Fugaku cleared his throat, "How about we have some drinks in the drawing room. Karin, I will show you the way."

Both Fugaku and Karin made their way towards the drawing room. While, Mikoto pulled Sasuke back.

"Sasuke? ….. Sasuke?... Sasuke?!"

"What?"

It took time for Sasuke to respond as he was entranced by the swaying hips of his red-haired partner.

"Why did Sakura come back so early?" Mikoto asked him.

"Sakura?"

And then it dawned on him that he had completely forgotten about Sakura.

"Right! Sakura! So you are telling me that she is back?" he asked Mikoto.

"Sasuke!" Mikoto exclaimed, completely horrified with the idea that he didn't even know about Sakura's whereabouts.

"I don't know, ma. She just couldn't fit in there. I mean she just didn't feel comfortable. Let's just forget about Sakura and have our drinks, hmmm" saying that he just left his mother standing there.

"Then you were supposed to make her feel comfortable Sasuke! Oh Lord! What happened to you Sasuke?!" Mikoto replied quietly.

When Sakura woke up it was dinnertime. Even after waking up she kept on lying on the bed, relishing in the feeling of being home. She was glad that she was home. She got up from the bed and changed into a white sundress that reached her knees and was round-neck and sleeveless to show off her lovely arms. She combed her hair and let her long tresses fall on her back. She wore white flat pumps.

By the time she was ready she was feeling very happy and couldn't wait to meet Mikoto and Fugaku. She skipped down the stairs. She heard laughter coming from the dining area. So she made her way but stopped in her tracks when she saw Karin sitting beside Sasuke and chatting amiably with the Uchihas. But her arrival had made the members on the dining table look up.

"Oh Sakura dear, you are awake. Come and join us." Mikoto called out lovingly.

"No, it's okay ma'am. Sorry to disturb your dinner. I will come back later." Sakura replied back, shifting into her professional zone.

"Nonsense. Just come and sit with us. You have been sleeping the whole day and if you don't eat anything now, you might get sick." said Fugaku.

So she made her way to the dining table and sat beside Mikoto. Mikoto filled her plate with food and offered it to her gently.

"You have met Karin, right?" asked Mikoto politely.

Sakura just nodded dumbly.

"Yes! I made Sakura's acquaintance on the ship." Karin drawled in her nasal voice, "She is such a lovely and an efficient girl. And so talented too!"

She looked at Sakura with a fake sweet expression on her face, though one could see the hatred bubbling through her in her eyes. Suddenly, Sakura felt vulnerable at home. Her home was the only sanctuary where she could feel safe but with Karin's invading presence her senses were on high alert.

She finished her food as fast as she could and then excused herself. As she was leaving she heard Sasuke tell his parents that Karin will be spending the night at their place, which made Sakura fly out of the room and make her way to her room as fast as she could.

In her room, she sat on her bed and pondered at the situation. She had felt that she would be free of Karin once she returns back to her home but that didn't seem to be the case. It felt as if bad luck was following her in the form of Karin Chase.

In the end, Sakura came to the conclusion that she would just have to square her shoulders and face this dreadful woman head on. She still felt extremely exhausted. With this resolve in mind, she changed into her night dress, turned off the lights, fell back on her covers and went to sleep. She still felt extremely exhausted. All her late night sleeps and early morning wake ups were catching up to her.

Karin had an amazing time with the Uchihas. She felt that they had accepted her as Sasuke's girlfriend though the reality was far from it. She and Sasuke went up to Sasuke's room after dinner and had a wonderful time.

But it was almost around 1 o' clock in the morning that she heard a light click of the door. She woke up to find that the bed beside her was empty. She scrambled to her feet and covered her naked body with a night gown and went out the room. She saw a room far on the opposite side was slightly open. She crept silently down the hall and made it to the room.

She saw Sakura sleeping like a baby with both of her hands beside her head and Sasuke sitting beside her on the bed and looking down at her angelic face. He softly brushed away the strands of pink hair that had crept on her face. His hands lingered on her soft, silky cheeks. His hand caressed her face lightly as if it was trying not to wake her but also trying to touch as much of her face as it could.

He bent his head and softly brushed his lips on her forehead.

"I am sorry Sakura but Karin's my life now. I choose her." he whispered softly.

Karin having seen enough made her way back to Sasuke's room, took off her gown and snuck into the sheets. She looked at the ceiling and smiled. A smile that would fit a triumphant king who had just won a war.

Thank you so much to everyone who followed, favourite and reviewed the story. I am grateful for all the love you have given me and my story.

P.S. My story just crossed 100 reviews. Yayyy! Thank you so much everyone!

Katty09 signing out.