AN: HI!! Sorry it's taken so long. And thank you for being patient. So here is the next chapter! ENJOY!
Sasuke groaned as he sat up. His body was aching from his search for Sakura. He glanced around and in a split second he was wide awake, hell he still had all his clothes on. He remembered going to Sakura's, so how did he end up at his apartment. He looked at the clock, 3:34am. Jumping out of bed he headed towards the door. He had to see Sakura.
Only inches from the door a voice broke through the darkness. "It's no use."
Sasuke whipped around drawing his kunai only to find Kakashi sitting in his window book in hand. "It's rude to invite yourself into people house's without permission." He hissed replacing the kunai and turning again towards the door.
"She's not there" Kakashi sighed putting his book down. "So there's no sense in wasting your time."
Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks and his heart began race. He didn't want to ask why that was, one reason being he had a horrible gut feeling he already knew the answer. But even so, it seemed too quick to pass a punishment yet, or at least he hoped. "Why are you here?" His voice low.
Kakashi crawled out off the window sill. "I was bored." He shrugged.
Sasuke glared at him over his shoulder. "Don't take me for a fool Kakashi"
Kakashi held his gaze for a moment before responding. "Never would I take you for a fool Sasuke. Stupid maybe, but never a fool."
Sasuke was taken back by the comment but never showed it. Instead he averted his gaze and gave a small grunt of disapproval. The problem was he knew the man was both right and wrong. Yes he has been stupid and yes he was a fool. Frustrated he paced the floor a few rounds before slumping back onto his bed. He didn't care at this point when Kakashi started to rummage through his kitchen.
Was he really too late? That was one of the many questions that ran through his mind. He closed his eyes remembering the moment he had Sakura in his arms only hours before. A pain hit his chest as he thought about her being ripped from his arms, the thought of not being able to hold her was almost to hard to bare.
"Here" Kakashi said holding out a cup. Sasuke opened his eyes, first looking at the cup then to Kakashi before accepting it. "Don't you want to know where she is?" Kakashi asked still looking down at him.
Sasuke stared down into the cup of black coffee as his gripped tightened around it. 'No' he thought to himself. Because he he was sure he knew the answer and he already felt completely helpless. Even if he could…….How far would he go to have her?
Kakashi sighed. "Do you think you could really make her happy Sasuke?"
Being caught off guard by the question and the emotions that it brought, he stared with wide eyes at the copy-nin. "Where the hell did that come from?" His voice harsh.
"We all make mistakes in life Sasuke. Some you regret all your life." He paused seeming to reflect on his own for a moment. "Even worse when you've hurt those close to you, only to realize what you've done when it's too late."
Sasuke opened his mouth to retaliate only to clench it back shut. The answer he wanted to say was yes, but the truth he didn't know. Regret he knew very well, but the pain he's caused Sakura was harsh and unfair to her and he knew it. Time after time he refused her, then when he decided she was the one he wanted to rebuild his clan with he crushed her heart yet again. Maybe Kakashi was right, maybe it was too late for him to get his chance.
Running a hand through his hair he set his cup down on the night stand. "Are you saying I should just forget about Sakura?"
"I never said that" Kakashi corrected. "Only you can make that choice. But keep in mind that Sakura is no stranger to pain. She has her own fears and her own ghosts. I just want to know if you are able to dry her tears instead of cause them."
In a flash of anger Sasuke was on his feet ready to fight, but his attack faltered when Kakashi didn't even blink. He stared at the man who stood in front him. The words he said dropped on him like a brick to the head. Of course things would be hard and emotional; of course wounds had to be healed. He knew all that, but could he really do it. He averted his gaze before brushing passed Kakashi. A new wave of doubt in himself flushed through him.
"Where is she?" He hissed swinging the door open.
"She's been taken to the prison." He answered softly.
Closing his eyes facing the truth to his gut feeling from before, he took a deep breath before leaving slamming the door shut behind him.
"Damn it" Tsunade cursed out loud for the hundredth time tonight. She took another drink from the bottle on her desk, discarding the glass hours ago. "Those damn elders know just how to crawl under my skin."
She scowled when a knock sounded at her door. "Shizune I told you to go home" Her head shot to the door when it opened, Sasuke stood there looking less than pleased.
"Save it" Tsunade waved her hand towards him. "Just go away."
Sasuke however didn't move. "What is the full extent of her punishment?"
Tsunade gave a grunt before taking another swig. "Her rank has been stripped and she is sentenced to 6 months in prison. Then if she is found mentally stable she may climb her way back up to her previous status." she sounded disgusted by it.
"That's absurd!! Why would you….."
"I had nothing to do with it." Tsunade cut in angered. "The elders decided her punishment. They said if they let her actions slide it would show the other shinobi that reckless behavior is……." She paused trying to control her anger. "I have been over ruled on this one. My hands are tied." Misery heard in her voice.
"Sakura is the best damn medic you have and they are willing to throw her aside just to make an example?! That's just pure stupidity."
Tsunade turned away from him. "Don't you think I told them that?" She hissed now clenching the bottle. "The reason I sent you four on that mission was turn you back into a team. But it just blows up in my face and completely out of proportion."
There was silence between the two. The only sound that could be heard was the liquor shift in the bottle as she drank. Finally the silence was broke by Sasuke. "If you won't do anything than I will." And with that he disappeared out the door.
Tsunade sat unmoving for a moment. "I really hope you can" She whispered.
AN: Well how was it? I know I said there would be petting, but it will have to come in the next chapter...Sorry. Please don't forget to review. It's makes my day to know what you guys think so far. Well hope to have another update soon. Till then...LUV YA!! :)