A/N: Thank you once again for all those wonderful reviews I received and I hope you enjoy and review this chapter to. Sorry about the delay so I hope this makes up for it. I know it drags out a bit when Sakura is thinking but there are things in there that you need to know. I know the dates and ages don't fit with the series but it is fiction. Hope it gives you a better insight to things and makes it clearer.
Disclaimer: Last time I checked I did not own Naruto in anyway.
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Previously
Naruto knew that for Sakura there was only Sasuke and for Sasuke there was only Sakura.
'Besides I don't want some jerk being with Sakura' Naruto thought. 'Heh better the devil you know and trust'
"You better look after her teme" Naruto said out loud as he walked down the path away from where the two lovers were sleeping peacefully.
"Hmm" Naruto said out loud to himself. "I wonder if Hinata would be interested in joining me for ramen" then without hesitation he began making his way to the Hyuga estate.
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The past and the present
Sakura stirred as the mornings rays hit her face. She sighed and shut her eyes tightly, refusing to wake up properly. She was so warm and comfortable and… wait this wasn't her bed. Sakura's eyes flew open as she sat up groggily to meet the sleeping face of Sasuke. The nights events came flooding back as Sakura smiled and gazed up at her friend. He always looked cute when he was sleeping, it was the only time he let his defenses down.
"The only time you don't have your emotionless mask on" Sakura said softly as she stroked his face gently. She always admired his features when he slept, enjoying seeing him look like he use to before the accident. Before everything had changed.
"Those were the days" she said sadly then after last night she realized that they may not be gone forever. There may still be a chance after all to return to the way things use to be, or maybe it would be even better. Like if she was with Sasuke. She let out a soft giggle as her thoughts went back to the kiss they had shared. His lips had been so soft and it had felt so good. She hoped that this time he would actually acknowledge that it happened.
"Oh well" she sighed as she stood up and stretched. "I guess ill just have to ask him when he wakes up" she looked over at him and smiled, "If he wakes up"
She yawned as she made her way to the kitchen and looked in the pantry.
"Hmm maybe the smell of pancakes will wake him up, I know he doesn't usually eat properly when his at home. Stupid bloody authorities agreeing to place him under Itachi's care, like that did any good." Sakura growled as she set about cooking breakfast. There had been a huge argument in regards to that when his parents had passed away. Kakashi who was quite familiar with the boys had offered them a place to stay. Itachi had declined since he was sixteen and able to look after himself, but Sasuke was only twelve at the time and Kakashi had worried that maybe he needed a proper adult to watch over him. Especially in his current state.
He had made it quite clear many times that he wished for Sasuke to come live with him, even if Itachi wouldn't, so that he could keep an eye on him and indeed Sasuke liked the idea to. But Itachi had refused, demanding that he be appointed Sasuke's guardian and that Sasuke stay with him. A whole argument had followed between Itachi and Kakashi while Sasuke was still in the hospital and due to his current state was unable to put forth his own opinion. Not that Itachi would have listened anyway, he never did. So in the end Kakashi had lost and Itachi had made it clear that he didn't want Kakashi anywhere near them or in their lives at all.
He had even tried to make Sasuke stay away from Naruto although he soon learnt that this was impossible. The two were best friends after all. Sasuke had actually spent most off his time over at Naruto's after the accident with Sakura to. He didn't like staying at home with Itachi who was always out anyway. Mainly because Itachi hadn't seem to care about his parents death at all and Sasuke clearly wasnt over it yet, though he denied it.
Sakura remembered that time quite clearly, even though it was three years ago. During those first few months after Sasuke's death the three were practically inseparatable. Sasuke spent all his time at Naruto's dreading being home and Kakashi who had perfectly understood Sasuke's position since he had lost many important people in the past, including Sasuke's parents who were his friends too, hadn't minded at all. Sakura often thought that he liked having them all over to keep him company. And since Sasuke and Naruto were there Sakura was always there to. Both her and Naruto knew he had needed them even if he didn't admit it.
Kakashi was also aware how lonely Sakura got and that her parents didn't seem to really give a damm any more so he had allowed her to feel just at home as he had for Sasuke. They spent weekends there sleeping over and trying to lighten Sasuke's mood in hopes that he would start to laugh or smile again. But he hadn't. He would join in and watch movies and play games but he hadn't shown any emotion. His face had stayed stoic and he had seemed to have no feelings at all.
But as time had passed they had gotten use to it. As long as he continued to act like their friend, talk nicely to Sakura and pick on Naruto they were ok with it. Sure they wished he would smile or laugh or just be himself not an ice cube and as Naruto put it a 'jerk'. But as long as Sasuke was still Sasuke they were just glad he was alive. They had all greatly appreciated Kakashi's hospitality then and Sakura came aware of how much it hurt him to see Sasuke this way. To him all three were like his children since he had known them since a young age.
Kakashi had been good friends with Sasuke's dad, Sakura's dad and Naruto's dad. Itachi and Sakura's older sister were good friends and so were Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto being born only months apart, Naruto of course being the eldest. Sakura had heard from her parents a long time ago that Kakashi had doted on them, being like an uncle since he had no kids of his own and was a little younger than the other three. The families and Kakashi would get together all the time. So when Naruto was a little over a year old and his parents were killed Kakashi had stepped forward to become his guardian.
He felt that since both Sakura and Sasuke's parents had their two kids to look after he would take Naruto as his own. The three had continued being friends until they were all nine and Sakura's parents had lost their eldest daughter, Sakura's sister. After that Sakura's parents had refused to have anything to do with their friends though Kakashi still looked after Sakura as he had always done. His job didn't rely on much time so he was nearly always free to look after them. Sasuke's parents worked a lot to so he spent a lot of time at their house to while Itachi usually refused to come and when he had to made a habit of not showing up. Therefore Kakashi had grown up as a father figure to them all for which they were glad.
It had suddenly occurred to Sakura that while remembering this she noticed how odd Itachi's actions were. Before his parents death he was going down a bad line, smoking and drinking even though he was only sixteen. He had been held back due to bad grades and was a year ahead of his time. She remembered how concerned Sasuke's parents were and how much arguing there was. During that time Sasuke had also practically lived at Kakashi's not wanting to be involved. Itachi had even disappeared for a couple of weeks before his parents dragged him back home.
It was three days after this when Sasuke's parents, along with his grandma and uncle and aunt whom were his only other living relatives were in the car crash. Sasuke was sitting in the back which they reckoned saved him. Itachi had refused to go on the trip to the beach and now that Sakura thought about it he didn't really seem that upset afterwards either. He had never visited Sasuke in the hospital which they had put to him grieving and had never seemed happy that Sasuke was alive at all.
In fact if Itachi hadn't made such a fuss of Sasuke living with him and not Kakashi then she would have sworn that he didn't care at all. Though now it seems it had nothing to do with caring for his brother. So maybe he did have something to do with it all then, it looked rather possible. After all she had never really considered him being involved for like everyone else had just assumed it was an accident. But now they knew otherwise it could mean that Itachi was involved.
Another idea suddenly struck her. She remembered how angry Kakashi had been when Itachi refused to let Sasuke live with him. She had never seen Kakashi, who was usually very merry and placid, so angry. Then Itachi had turned around and told him to stay out of their lives and away from them when Itachi had always admired Kakashi more than his own father. Could Kakashi have known something, or been suspicious of Itachi. Was he really trying to get Sasuke away from danger? That could explain why Kakashi had always tried his best to make Sasuke stay over.
She had often felt sorry for Kakashi. He had lost all his best friends, four to death and the other two from wanting nothing to do with their past. And yet he had always been there for the three, always treating them like his own. And they in turn felt they could tell Kakashi anything. It was Kakashi who had helped Sakura through her um puberty as weird as that sounds. It was Kakashi who had taught the boys everything they needed to know. And it was he who had always watched out for them all.
She quickly put the cooked pancakes on a plate and turned off the frying pan. She made a note to discuss this with Sasuke and Naruto later. She wanted to suggest telling Kakashi this as well. Having an adult on board would help and she was sure that Kakashi would help. He had lost his friends that day to and he really did seem to hate Itachi. She began to think that maybe after this Sasuke could come live with Naruto and Kakashi like he had always wanted. That way he could at last have a proper home, a family again and wouldn't be all alone. She made another note to ask Naruto about this to.
A groan brought her out of her thoughts as Sasuke appeared in the door way looking a little sleepy and irritated. She immediately was beside him, glancing at his wounds. His black eye had gone down and many of the cuts and bruises were healing nicely which was a good sign.
"Morning" she said cheerfully. "How you feeling?"
"I have been better" he replied gruffly as she smiled at him.
"I'm sure you have though it looks like it will all heal fine. There won't be much bruising or injuries recognizable by Monday except for maybe the bruising around your eye and the cut on your check."
"Hn" he said as Sakura turned back and poured them both something to drink.
"Sit I made breakfast" she demanded and Sasuke knew he had no choice. Though he wasn't exactly complaining about being forced to eat pancakes, the smell was enough to make him hungry. She put the food before him and sat down as they began to eat in silence. He noticed that she kept looking up at him like she wanted to say something but was hesitant to do so. He had an idea if what it was about anyway.
"Hn thanks" he said when they had finished.
"It was nothing" she told him getting up and going to grab the plates but he stopped her.
"I meant for last night to" he explained as she smiled.
"I know"
The two spent the morning washing up together talking like old times, well more Sakura talked and Sasuke picked on her, and then they watched a movie. Sakura wanted to bring up the kiss and was about to when Sasuke suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her against his chest, holding her tightly. She smiled in his embrace as they finished the movie.
They stayed like that for awhile, enjoying the silence and the others comfort until at last Sakura spoke.
"Sasuke"
"Hn
"I have been thinking"
"Yeah"
"Yeah" she giggled as he smirked a little.
"About what?" he asked.
"Well about what you told us last night" she replied cautiously.
"Hn" he said and Sakura knew this was a signal to continue as she went on to tell him about her suspicions about Itachi, about how his behavior could be linked to it all then about Kakashi knowing something. Sasuke didn't say a word and let her speak though his grip tightened slightly on her waist as if her warmth was soothing his anger. Which evidentially it was.
When she was done he stayed silent for awhile, deep in thought before finally replying.
"I think you may be right"
"Really" she exclaimed, turning to face him as he nodded.
"Yes I do" he told her as she smiled.
"We are going to find the answer Sasuke, all three if us. We are together on this ok so don't leave us out"
"Hn"
"I mean it Sasuke, don't leave us out again"
"Fine I won't" he said and Sakura leant back in his arms.
"Should we call Naruto and tell him to"
"No"
"We have to tell him" Sakura said as Sasuke nodded.
"I know, but not today." Sakura sat up and looked at him again as he stared back at her.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because I don't want to think about it, not today" he whispered as he leant up and kissed her passionately. Sakura felt herself melting in his arms again as his tongue entered her mouth and his hands held tightly to her waist. She tangled her hands in his hair, massaging his scalp as Sasuke made tiny circles on her sides with his fingers.
Sakura had no idea how long they spent making out but for the rest of the day they sat in each other's arms. Whether they were watching TV, talking or just kissing it didn't matter. All she knew was that it was the best day of her life and when Sasuke went to leave she was well satisfied. Though she was worried about his welfare.
"You can stay here, or got to Naruto's" she said, her voice full of concern.
"Ill be fine Sakura" he told her gently, though he was a little amused.
"But what if his there and..."
"He won't be, he never is on a Sunday night until like three in the morning when he gets home drunk. Ill be fine ok"
"You sure"
"Yes"
"But what about tomorrow"
"I will leave early, before he gets up" he promised.
"Ok" she said at last though she was still worried.
"Hn good"
"Just promise to call me as soon as you get home" she begged. It was already ten at night and the streets were awfully dark.
"Ok I promise" he replied, kissing her for the last time before leaving.
She watched him go until his dark figure couldn't be seen then sat nervously on her bead staring at the phone. She couldn't get rid of the nervs in her stomach and felt that every second was like an hour.
Finnaly when she thought she would burst from anxiety the hone rang and with relief she picked it up to hear Sasuke's voice.
"See I'm fine" he said through the receiver.
"I was worried that's all"
"Hn"
"What I'm not allowed to be concerned for your safety"
"I never said that"
"You didn't have to" she told him and could almost see him smirking on the other end.
"Hn"
"Typical"
"What is?"
"You" she laughed.
"And why would that be"
"You predictable with your Hn"
"So?"
"Oh never mind" she exclaimed.
"You're really making no sense Sakura"
"Cause you always do" she replied.
"Hn"
"That was sarcasm"
"I know"
"Good"
"Immature"
"What was that" Sakura demanded.
"You can be so immature" he told her.
"Thanks"
"Your welcome" he said though Sakura was still smiling. Silence fell between them though it didn't last long.
"Am I annoying you?" she asked.
"No why?"
"Just wondering, I know you usually don't like talking on the phone"
"I don't"
"Oh ok then ill let you go"
"I don't like talking on the phone but it doesn't mean I don't mind listening" he said and Sakura smiled as they spent the next two hours on the phone, Sakura talking about anything and everything as Sasuke listened. He found her voice soothing and relaxing so that by the time they wished each other a goodnight he was able to fall asleep quickly, a small smile gracing his features as he did so.
Sakura was in a simualar state. She had just spent a whole day with the boy she loved then two hours talking to him on the phone. She didn't know how tomorrow would play out, or how Sasuke would act being around others but she found she didn't want to think about that. She was just content remembering today as she drifted off to sleep.
A/N: Hope that wasn't too boring but there was things you had to know so I figured I would get it all out at once. Though I'm not sure exactly how Itachi is involved my self yet, though I have some ideas as bad as they may be, so any suggestions or ideas will be greatly appreciated. Anyway please review and ill update soon.
