Author's Notes: It started as a one-shot, expanded into a three chapter story, and now it's growing more. IT'S LIKE A FUNGUS! So…here's another chapter.

Oh, and I have also switched to using past tense because it'll be easier since this is turning out to be longer than I thought. Hopefully it won't throw anyone off.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I just torture them for my uses.

Dedicated to Long-Live-The-Jessenator for the sweet comment and haliz for the torture I put you through.

Hammers and Hearts IV

Dawn had only recently broken over Konoha when Sasuke woke and he could still make out the moon in the dim early light when he left the house. Sakura was already waiting for him, hands latched behind her back and face tilted upward. Taking in her familiar form, he wordlessly came to stand beside her and she turned to him with a smile.

"I love it when you can see the moon like this." She stepped closer and her lips widened further. "It's almost like I'm caught between two worlds."

Unwittingly, images of the other night flashed through his mind at the sight of her smiling pink lips and viridian eyes.

His heavy breaths fill the air and blow across Sakura's face and suddenly he's aware of how close they are and the sad determination in her eyes. Then, as if it had never existed, the distance between them is gone and Sakura brushes her soft, bowed lips against his in the faintest of kisses. Sasuke's eyes widen in shock and he stares at her as she draws back, breathing lightly against his slightly parted lips.

"You have me."

There in the mist and haze of his past, where it had all began, she had managed to shield him from his demons, but he still wasn't sure where she was taking him. For now, he could only trust her and follow.

Tucking his hands into his pockets he began walking and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Sakura smiled at the familiar, standoffish pose and fell easily into stride beside him as they strode down the street. She'd been coming here everyday since she'd found him at the Uchiha compound and everyday he asked that question.

"Well, I thought you might want to join me at our old training grounds."

He gave her a blank, sideways stare. "What for?"

She winked at him playfully and replied, "You'll see."

---------------------------------

"This is Suzumi, Toshio, and, Hige. Guys, this is Sasuke Uchiha." Sakura motioned to the three children standing before them. "They're my new subordinates."

Sasuke stared at the trio of small genin and back to Sakura again with a slightly incredulous look. They were scrawny little runts, barely reaching his chest and he could already tell they had no extraordinary skills. All of them shifted nervously under his gaze and looked expectantly at Sakura.

Sakura put a hand on lightly on his shoulder and smiled. "It's our first training session together." Her other hand came to dangle before his face and there was a small tinkling that reached his ears as he realized she was holding a pair of bells.

Ah. That's what you're up to, Sakura. He almost smirked.

As he watched Sakura lead the three genin to the center of the field it was difficult to fathom just how much she had grown. It seemed like a different world from when it had been them in this field, small and inexperienced. Sitting down, he watched her intently as she explained the rules of the game. She stood tall and sure, her stance always balanced and ready from years of training. Her eyes were bright and alert, taking in her environment, and her hair caught the breeze, fanning out over her smooth cheeks. He'd realized during their last battle that she had undeniably changed.

When it had been Team Kakashi out there, Sasuke had barely noticed her. She had been weak and unskilled, barely able to perform the simplest of tasks, much like the genin she would be training. He had been annoyed by her obvious attraction to him; he'd had too many girls fawn over him to think this one was any different.

Watching her now, he could see how he had tried to conceal the fact that he had been intrigued by the strange girl. He told himself that she was destined to fail. Her startling pink hair would draw too much attention and her electric eyes gave away her every emotion. She was too naïve and soft-hearted to ever be a successful ninja- a ninja who lives by killing.

He told himself her compassion would never serve her

But here she was, an ANBU captain, former apprentice of the Hokage, and about to train her own team of genin. And she had been the one to bring him back.

He watched them charge her, diving recklessly for the bells hanging at her hip. Her lips tilted upward in a small smile as she easily evade, stepping to the side. For those genin, trying to catch her was like trying to hold smoke with their bare hands. She never attacked, merely pranced at arms length, almost in reach. It went on for quite some time before the brats collapsed on the ground, bruised and exhausted. Laughing good-naturedly, she patted their heaving backs and he could hear her encouraging words carry on the wind.

Sakura watched her team stagger away from the field and chuckled. They hadn't been able to even touch the bells today, but she would make the strong. She was about to turn to where Sasuke had been sitting when she felt a sudden rush of air behind her and instinctively ducked onto her knees before swinging her leg around, aiming for her attacker's chest.

Her eyes widen in shock when she saw Sasuke leap back and stand a small distance away from her, a smirk on his face.

"Sasuke? What-"

The words had barely left her lips when he was suddenly in front of her, and as she twisted away, his hand shot out toward the bells at her hip. Confusion etched her brow for a moment before giving way to wide smile as it dawned on her what he was doing.

They fell easily into an untamable rhythm, Sasuke relentlessly driving forward and Sakura evading as his fingers just grazed her. He didn't hold back this time; he'd learned she was too good for that. She was nimble and swift, practically dancing with him, her left hip twisted strategically away from him. They twisted about each other, leaping over and under until neither could distinguish up from down and the sky and ground melted over the horizon and into each other. His eyes took in the way her slim muscles stretched along her slender limbs, the way a bead of sweat traced the line of jaw and the focused tilt of her brow.

Suddenly, he found his opening and darted forward, an arrogant grin tugging at his lips as his fingers cupped the silver bells and-

His body went still with shock as Sakura lurched forward, pressing her lips against his, wiping the grin clear off his features.

As she pushed her body forcefully into his, his fingers slipped from the bells and he crashed onto his back with Sakura over him, a triumphant smile on her face. He stared up at her, mouth open in bewilderment.

"You cheated," he accused, for lack of better words.

At his disbelieving expression, Sakura threw back her head and laughed. She didn't realize how mesmerizing she was at that moment to him, her eyes closed in joy, the sun catching her pink hair and her mouth opened in an expression that he never wanted to leave her face.

Chuckling down at him she replied mischievously, "No such thing as cheating in this game, don't you remember?"

Before he could reply she shifted so that she was no longer over him and sat beside his figure. He quickly sat up, removing the surprise from his face. They remained silent for a few moments, catching their breath before Sasuke broke the silence.

"Your taijutsu has gotten much better."

Leaning back on her hand, Sakura replied, "Yeah, Tsunade-sama and Lee helped me a great deal."

"I see. Is this your first team?"

Nodding, Sakura said proudly, "Yeah. I was too busy up until now with…other things."

Looking for me, he thought, reading between the lines.

There was a challenge in his voice when he said, "Can you make them into anything?"

Sakura played with the bells at her side before replying. "I will make them strong. I know for a fact that you don't have to be gifted from birth to become a strong ninja. I believe in those three."

Sasuke didn't look at her when he asked the next question. "Why do you want to? For all you know, they'll end up using that strength for their own twisted purposes."

There was no hesitation or pause before Sakura answered, as if the answer was so natural and engraved within her.

"I'm going to make them strong so that one day they'll be able to protect those precious to them with their own power."

"Ah."

She smiled that sure and encouraging smile again. "One day you'll have your own team, too. I'm sure that-"

"No."

Sakura looked to him in confusion at his interjection and saw the tightening of his jaw and almost angry look in his eyes.

"That'll never happen. A traitor isn't fit to lead a team of future Konoha ninja," he spat.

"Don't, Sasuke"

His glare darted over to her when he felt her hand reach out and placed a gentle hand over his own. It was the same face he'd seen when she held him in his haunted home. It was pleading and determined, sad and hopeful.

"Don't deny yourself a future like that Sasuke. The rest of the village is willing to move forward and all that's left is for you to step forward." She gave his hand a small squeeze and smile into his eyes. "Stand tall and step forward bravely."

She felt his hand tense under hers and for a moment she thought he was going to pull away. On what she could only call impulsiveness she leaned over and touched her lips to the corner of Sasuke's mouth. It could barely be called a kiss; it was a mere whisper of lips against skin, but suddenly Sasuke's focus was intent on her. Her breath caught when his hand came up to cup the back of her neck, making sure she couldn't full away.

Their eyes met and they both stopped breathing. His bottomless onyx eyes burned with something nameless as they swept over her face and into her eyes and she vaguely wondered what he was looking for.

"Why are you doing this, Sakura?"

Letting his strong hand pull her closer, Sakura brushed the tip of her nose against his. "I told you that you'd always have me."

At those words, his eyes darkened and Sakura swore she felt the heat from them when he drew her forward. It was not the hungry and fierce kiss she had expected. He was cautiously gentle and Sakura wondered how much experience he'd had in the years they'd been apart.

All thoughts left her mind when his tongue moved to sweep across her lower lip. She froze for a moment, then following her body's instinct, she let her lips part slightly. Sasuke took the invitation and began a gentle exploration of Sakura's willing mouth and Sakura trembled at the sensation of his warm tongue running over her own. He took her lower lip between his teeth and bit down lightly before pulling away.

His eyes were bright and burning, and Sakura could see the hunger in their depths, but there was something else akin to tenderness looking out at her. Reaching out with his free hand, he tapped the bells at her hip, bringing forth a light tinkle. Tilting her head in confusion, Sakura raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Sasuke flicked her forehead with a smirk.

"I still say you cheated."

Author's Note: Well that's that. The chapters will be more like stringed together one-shots because I'm just writing without outlining like I do for my longer stories. But I hope you liked it anyway.

Reviews are loved