So, it might get a little angsty...and deep. And that's what I'm going for. But I also put in romance, so it's all good. My story is now very very close to coming to a close. I'm thinking maybe 2 or 3 more chapters. I'm trying to make the chapters longer now, to fit everything in to place before it ends. And I hope everyone lets me know what they thought of the plot and set up of the story. I can build off everyone's feedback! Reviews are much appreciated. Thanks!
Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Two

"You know I love you, I really do. But I can't fight anymore for you."

His hand was tightly wrapped around her wrist, pulling her down numerous steps. Her face was one of confusion, while his was one of seriousness.

Sakura and Sasuke were at the Uchiha mansion now. It was ready for him to move back in, and he had told Sakura he wanted her to come with him the first time he was there. Immediately after they entered, he had snatched her wrists and pulled her with him, telling her there was something he wanted her to see.

And here they were, descending stairs inside of a building that once looked very important. It was dark except for a small glow of what seemed to be, candles running over the walls.

"Sasuke...where are we going? You're kind of pulling hard..."

"Come on."

And as they reached the bottom of the steps, she seen a long room with tiles on the floor, and a desk by the wall across from her. There was a scroll hanging above it, and candles around it. It gave off a creepy vibe, making Sakura shiver as Sasuke released her wrist and walked up to the desk.

"Sasuke...where are we?" Her voice was chary, echoing ever so slightly off the walls.

Sasuke grabbed a scroll placed up against the wall and spread it out over the desk.

The sound of candles flickering filled the room, along with shallow, nervous breathing.

"Come on Sasuke...where are we?"

"Come here." His voice was exigent and firm, almost entrancing Sakura to move forward. Her steps were slow, and as she reached his side, her eyes drifted to the scroll on the wooden desk.

"This...is the Uchiha family secret." His low, monotone voice filled the air.

Her eyes widened.

"Of...the Mangekyo Sharingan?" She asked curiously, her voice soft and cautious. He nodded and ran his hand over it.

She read the scroll...her heart beginning to sink. Sure, this was something she already knew...but that made no difference. Reading it was something else. How could anyone possibly be willing to go to such lengths just to obtain power? The thought was preposterous!

"He killed his best friend without a second thought." Sakura whispered quietly.

Sasuke tightened his jaw. Just thinking about his low-life brother made his skin crawl, and made anger burn inside him. "That bastard." His words were sharp, causing Sakura to flinch.

She took a step back and thought over her words carefully. His eyes were colder now. Damnable. They had been that way since he laid those eyes on the Uchiha mansion just hours ago. Just the look in his eyes made her tentative.

"But you're not like that...Sasuke." She retreated with one more step, her voice morbid. She really believed he wasn't like that. He was strong enough to find other ways to obtain power.

Minutes of silence crowded the air, causing tension to form.

"You don't need to do reckless things." Her tone was pitiable, but nonetheless...it caught Sasuke's attention.

"I need to obtain power." He snarled sharply, fists clenching at his sides. For some reason...this situation was screaming 'dangerous'.

She swallowed hard, her head pounding. She looked around the room and sighed lightly. "You can obtain power here." She said, knowing she was pushing the subject. But her lips just formed the words, without any care of the consequences...which was even more dangerous, still.

"You don't understand." He spoke gravely, making Sakura's heart race. No, maybe she didn't. But still...

"Stay here. Stay with me. Don't leave. I promise you'll get stronger." Her voice rose, raising her hands in front of her. She was desperate...too desperate to care that his clenched fists were shaking. Angrily.

"Stay here and-"

In the blink of an eyes, Sasuke violently launched his arm over the desk, causing the scroll to fly off and hit the wall, and also make Sakura jump back in shock. Or was it fear?

He turned around quickly, an angry, deathly look on his face. His teeth were bared, and his jaw was clenched tight. And his eyes...were burning with malevolence. The sight alone made Sakura flinch, and her mouth became dry.

"Stop telling me what to do! I will not stay here!" He shouted venomously, making Sakura's breath catch in her throat as it tightened. He was scaring her. Literally making her want to run away...and that fear grew as she noticed his sharingan start flaring up in his eyes. It was the first time she had seen it since his return.

Her eyes widened and she brought her hands together in front of her. "I'm sorry, Sasuke...I am..." She said softly, hoping he would calm down.

And he did, a bit. He let his arms fall limp at his sides, and after a second or two...tamed his sharingan and his eyes turned back to their cold, empty daze. Sakura inwardly cursed herself for being so foolish. She could only imagine that being here...relieving these memories...would flare up his anger. After all...she was sure his psyche was being bombarded with memories right now. She would only make it worse.

"Please Sasuke..." Her voice was pleading now. His lips closed tightly and he looked down at the scroll he had thrown to the floor. He slowly turned and walked over to pick it up, while Sakura's eyes watched his every movement.

"Stop telling me to stay." He said suddenly as he placed the scroll on the desk. His eyes turned to her, his expression soft now. Not so deadly and frightening. "I can't, and you know that. So knock it off." His voice still had some bite to it though, making Sakura slightly angry. She only wanted to be with him. Was that wrong? But still...the firmness in his voice told her to just stop testing his patience.

"You're so stubborn." She said under her breath, causing Sasuke to roll his eyes. He started walking past her to the base of the steps. Sakura turned around, her eye brows raised.

"You're not going to just leave me down here, are you?" She snapped, taking a step toward him. He turned his head to look back at her, a smirk on his face. He stopped at the base of the steps and nodded his head up the stairway.

"Lets go."

Sakura nodded and ran up next to him, and they walked up the steps slowly...Sakura's nerves still on edge.

Once they had hit the main streets of the Uchiha estate, their words slowly faded, and neither one of them really talked. Sakura was intrigued by her surroundings, while Sasuke was being drown in horrid memories...and sad flashbacks. His eyes ran over the buildings. They weren't as decayed and broken as they were the night he left. It seemed that the people Tsunade had assigned to clean up this place really did a good job. But even so...in his mind...everything still looked the same as that night.

"Will you show me your house?" Sakura's voice broke through the silence, making Sasuke look down at her and nod. They were approaching that area soon anyway...it was now or never.

"So...is it how you thought it'd be?" She asked again, making Sasuke shrug. He ran a hand through his hair.

"When I still lived here, I never bothered to clean up anything. Too difficult. The only place that really always looked the same, was my house." They approached a corner, making Sasuke's stomach twist and turn. His house was right around this corner. Was he ready for this?

But before even he could decided, they were now in front of his home, making him stop dead in his tracks. That was enough of a give-away for Sakura. No doubt this was hard for him. He was struggling, and she didn't blame him.

Memories of his family came rushing back, making his breathing heavy. His head started to throb, and he felt his skin getting hot and flustered.

"Sasuke?" Sakura gently placed her hand on his shoulder, roughly pulling him back into reality.

He couldn't do this. He didn't want to be here all alone. It was too hard. Too much like it had been long ago. He laid his hand on his face and closed his eyes tightly. Maybe...if just for this one night...so he can get used to it.

"Sakura..." His voice was dark and dreary.

She removed her hand from his shoulder and her face flooded with concern. He always made her worry. It never failed.

"Stay here with me tonight."

Her eyes widened.

He ran a hand through his hair and opened his eyes to look down at her. "Just tonight." He said, softly.

Sakura exhaled a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, of course." The longer she could be with him, the better.

So they slowly made their way into his house. His things were already there as Tsunade had been generous enough to have some people bring them in. She was giving him a second chance...and being awfully nice to him, despite his past. And it was all for Sakura.

Sakura had showered up, and just wore his long sleeve black shirt and his long, baggy, white pants so she didn't have to go home. Her hair was tied up and she looked ragged. She hadn't gotten much sleep lately. She had been anticipating how this day would go. She was utterly surprised that Sasuke hadn't trained today, because he was now able to. Instead, he had asked Sakura to accompany him home. And to stay the night, so he wouldn't have to be alone. She was very surprised, in deed.

She slowly walked down the hallway, the sleeves of the shirt hanging over her hands. It was a little big, but she didn't mind. On top of that, his scent was all over the shirt, and she loved it. He smelt so good.

She reached the living room, seeing Sasuke sitting on the couch, his legs spread apart, his head leaned back, his eyes closed...and his shirt off.

Wow, he had a beautiful body.

She ran her eyes over his abs. His very well defined abs. And...she wanted to...touch them.

A small smile overcame her face and she lifted up one hand to her mouth, the sleeve covering half her face, and she slowly walked over to him, in between his legs. Of course, Sasuke noticed, but didn't really care. Instead he just pretended like she wasn't there. He really didn't know what she was going to do. And thats when he felt a finger run over his stomach. A cold finger, that made his eyes shoot open, his legs close tight around hers, and his head shoot up with a confused look on his face. She pulled her hand back quickly and held them both to her chest as a small giggle escaped her. In his baggy clothes, she looked like an innocent child. A cute innocent child.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing...sorry." She said, a big chaste smile on her face. She turned around, and when he loosened his grip on her legs with his own, she sat down, in between his legs. He just watched her, too tired to care or protest.

"You know, Sasuke...it's cold in here. You could get sick." She said, grabbing the ends of her sleeves and covering her hands.

"I'm fine. Kind of hot."

She giggled. "Yes, you are." She looked back at him. "Just kidding, Sasuke." She looked forward. But really, she wasn't. He was drop dead gorgeous. And he knew it.

He pushed his legs against her shoulders playfully. "No you're not." He said smoothly, making Sakura giggle again.

"Okay, so I'm not. You're attractive...and sitting right behind me with a shirt off. How foolish of you, Sasuke." She said jokingly, scratching the back of her head. Her hair was still wet, and the little strands that fell out of her pony tail tickled her neck, making her cold and giving her goosebumps.

"Well, you're attractive, and sitting in between my legs. How foolish of you, Sakura." He countered, a smirk rising on his face.

Sakura smiled. "You're warm." She said softly. A small chuckle escaped Sasuke's lips.

"No, I'm hot."

She giggled and nodded. She had to agree. But her giggling slowly faded as she felt him push her forward with his hand and stand up, bringing his leg over top of her head and walking over to a closet. After a minute or two, he came back, with a big fuzzy blanket in his hands. He threw it on the couch and sat behind Sakura once again. She was sitting up, not leaning back, when she felt his hand gently rest on her shoulder and pull her back into his legs.

Ah, how cute! A smile overtook her face as he removed his hand from her shoulder and sighed.

"Sasuke, are you tired?"

"A little."

"But not much?"

"No."

"Me either."

"Hn."

"Lets play a game."

His eyes widened and she turned around in his legs, looking up at him. She bent her arms and rested them on his knees, staring into his eyes. It was dark in the room, except for the dim hall light casting into the area.

"What game?"

"Like, I'll tell you a secret...and you tell me one."

His heart suddenly felt heavy, and his throat tightened. Truth. Well, almost. It was kind of like the game he used to play with Kalei. And thinking about Kalei made him uncomfortable. Somewhat sad.

"You first." He said, keeping his eyes on hers.

She sighed and looked out the window to her right. After a moment of silence she looked back at him. This secret wasn't anything special, but she wanted him to know. Wanted him to know how close he had been from fading away in her heart.

"Over the period of time you were gone...I started to think I liked Naruto."

His eyes widened and a small pain shot through his chest. Well, isn't that nice. Way to make this a romantic moment, Sakura. She was good at finding a way to spoil the moment.

Sakura noticed a look of disappointment crowd his features, causing her to speak. "But my feelings for you never changed. And when you came back...I realized I was just trying to fill the void."

Ah, now that's better. Thank you, dear Sakura.

He nodded and rummaged through his mind, thinking of secrets he could tell Sakura.

"When I was gone at Sound, I thought about you and Naruto every so often."

A small, sad smile fell on Sakura's lips. She was happy to know he thought of them...but...

"Did you think about ever coming home?"

Silence.

"Maybe once or twice."

Now that wasn't the answer she wanted. She wanted a 'yes all the time' type of answer...but she knew better than that.

"Your turn." He broke into her thoughts.

She nodded and spoke softly. "Sometimes, I really hate myself for loving you."

He swallowed hard. That secret hurt a bit. Gees, and his secret had actually been nice. She was ruining this game. But he knew just how to answer to it.

"Same."

She flinched, and looked away. Ouch...the truth could hurt. Yet, in his own little way, he was admitting he loved her.

But still...it didn't really matter to him much that she hated loving him. All that mattered was that she did.

And Sakura thought the same thing

"Sakura."

She looked back at him, eyes feeble and alluring.

"It's cold. And late. Maybe you should get some sleep." He slowly pulled his legs away from her arms, causing them to fall from his knees.

Sakura blinked thrice and stood up. "Okay, I'll just crash on the couch."

Sasuke stood up as well, and the closeness of them caused Sakura to step back.

"You can sleep on my bed. It's warmer in there."

A blush crept onto her face. "N-no...I don't want you sleeping on the couch in your own home."

A small smirk formed from his lips. "Who said anything about my sleeping on the couch?"

Her eyes widened as Sasuke threw the blanket around her back, and wrapper it over her shoulders.

"Come on." He said, walking past her into the hallway. She hesitantly followed, with many scenarios running through her head.

Once they reached the room, they just walked straight in, not bothering to turn the light on. The pale moonlight shone in through the window, illuminating the space just enough to find your way to the bed. Sasuke slowly pulled the covers back and laid on the bed, scooting over to the opposite side to leave room for Sakura. But she just stood there, staring down at the bed.

"I won't bite." He said quietly.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "How disappointing."

Sasuke laughed quietly. "Well, I could." He added sarcastically.

Sakura giggled and layed on the bed, blanket still wrapped around her tight. She layed on her side, facing Sasuke, as he did the same, and he pulled the covers up on both of them.

"I'm not tired." Sakura said softly, her voice sounding adorable. "But I am still somewhat cold."

Sasuke smirked and scooted closer to Sakura, making her eyes widen. Without even realizing it...she was practically begging him to hold her.

Sasuke slowly reached his hand up over her head, and pulled on the tie holding Sakura's hair up. Her hair fell loosely on the pillow, and the wet strands made Sakura clutch onto the blanket tighter.

"I like it better down."

She smirked. "Duh. It looks seductive. I can only guess my hair is scattered everywhere right how, on your pillow...on your bed." She said jokingly, making Sasuke chuckle and nod.

And then she felt his hands rest on hers that were clutching onto the ends of the blanket, holding it tightly to her body. He slowly pulled them apart, and pulled her forward, so she was curled up against his chest, the blanket hanging loosely over her body.

"You're warm, Sasuke." She whispered into his chest. He leaned his head down and kissed the top of her head, taking in the smell of the shampoo she used. His shampoo. It smelt good on her. His scent on her. It was perfect.

"Get some sleep, Sakura."

Silence.

"I'm scared, Sasuke."

His eyes widened, and he listened to her breathing. That was all you could hear in the room.

"I'm scared that...you won't come back to me. I'm scared that...even if...you do survive...you still won't come home."

The words felt like a weight on his heart.

He slowly rested his fingers on her chin and pulled her head up so she was looking at him. His eyes bore into hers.

"I will."

She felt tears pricking at her eyes.

"Sakura...I will. If I survive...I'll come back. I have nowhere else to go."

She bit her lip. Was that why he was going to come back? Because he had nowhere else to go? She wanted to believe in his promise. She really did. But she had this horrible...gut feeling...

He gently ran his hand through her hair and pulled her head into his chest.

"Sakura...I'm right here. Right now. Holding you. Isn't this what you've always wanted." He whispered.

She nodded into his chest.

"Then sleep. Don't worry."

And she would. For this night, at least, she knew she'd have sweet dreams.

When she woke up the next morning, she found that he was gone. The bed was empty, except for her, and his clothes were discarded on the floor. She slowly made her way to the kitchen, and found a note scribbled in his handwriting.

Went training. Won't be back until late.

Thanks for staying with me.

Sasuke.

And that was it. So she made up the bed, washed his clothes and folded them, and put them away. It was around noon when she left. And she went home, and got ready for work for the night.

And that's how the rest of the week was. She hadn't seen him except for once, when Kakashi decided to take old Team 7 out for some ramen. But their meeting was quick, because he went back out to train with Kakashi. It was just the 'hello, how are you? okay, goodbye' type of meeting. And that was it. And now, it had been exactly a week. A week of knowing...that he was going through rigorous training. Nonstop...all hours of the day. And it was now, that she realized that training was the real reason he stayed in the village for this time. And the thought...slightly upset her. It wasn't her. No of course, stupid thought there, Sakura.

And not seeing him for this past week had hurt her. She wanted to be with him. Spend time with him. Because she knew he was going to leave soon. And all these thoughts plagued her mind. It was late, around 10:30, on the seventh day of his training...and she just couldn't shake him from her mind.

She was working at the hospital, the night shift, when she came by a nurse who had a relieved look on her face when she seen Sakura.

"Oh, Lady Haruno. A new patient had just come in, Room 194."

Sakura nodded. "Condition?"

"A broken arm and case of severe exhaustion. Please go there right away."

Sakura nodded once more and proceeded to the room.

As she reached the door, she pulled it open, and seen a cut up, bruised, and droopy-eyed Sasuke sitting up in the hospital bed.

That's what he deserves...was her first thought. Her next?

I don't see him for a week...and this is how we meet up again.

"Nice." She spat out, shutting the door behind her.

"Hn." His face was weary, and his voice, hoarse.

Sakura approached his bed and sat down in the chair next to it. She wrote a few things down on the paper on the nightstand, and then turned to face him.

"Give me your arm."

He obeyed, pulling up his sleeve, and flinching as the movement shot pain through his arm.

Chalkra flooded her hands as she very gently placed them on his arm. The contact was cool and soothing, and Sasuke closed his eyes, savoring the feeling. The pain was slowly melting away.

"Hows training?" Sakura asked in a monotone, quite bored voice.

"Fine."

"I see you're working hard."

"Hn."

Her eyebrows furrowed. We don't talk for a whole week practically, and all of a sudden your communication skills are shot?! How pathetic, Sasuke!

He opened his eyes as he heard Sakura let out a heavy sigh.

"So then how long?" She asked sharply, feeling Sasuke's gaze turn to her.

"Until what?" He asked, his face, unintentionally, twisting into a glare.

She looked up at him, their eyes meeting.

"Until you finish your training, and leave." Her voice was harsh and bitter, making his glare deepen.

Silence.

He looked away, his expression softening.

"Maybe a week."

Her heart sank instantly, and her eyes widen. And maybe in anger, or just shock, she pulled her arm back and knocked the glass of water sitting on his nightstand off, spilling water all over the floor. She stood up, pushing the chair back, her heart racing.

He looked up at her, face slightly amused, yet bored.

"Only a week?" She asked, her voice shaky.

Sasuke nodded and started stretching out his arm. Apparently, she had healed it good enough for him to continue training. And that was all that mattered right? His training?

She shook her head violently, and turned around to pick up the glass on the floor. She placed in on the nightstand and took a deep breath, feeling the tears well up in her eyes. It took all she had not to turn around and start swearing at him. She slowly rubbed her eyes and swallowed.

"I-I'll...check up on you later. You...you need rest. So get some...sleep..." And without turning around to look at him, she started walking toward the door. When her hand reached the doorknob, she heard a rustle of papers, and Sasuke's rough voice.

"Don't you need these?"

She hesitantly turned her head to look at him. He was holding her check-up sheets. And yes...she did need them.

Feeling embarrassed, stupid...and slightly angry, she marched over to him and snatched the papers from his hand. "Yes, thanks." She spat angrily, turning on her heel once again.

"I don't see why you're all worked up..." His voice followed her as she reached the door. When she slowly turned the handle, she heard him once more.

"I told you I'd be coming back...didn't I?"

And her movement halted, and she felt tears slip down her face.

What did he expect? He was talking about leaving so soon...and if he didn't survive the fight with Itachi...he'd never come back. She'd never see him again. Feel him again. Be with him again. It was a scary thought. And it hurt her.

"But I don't know...how well you keep promises." She said quietly, raising her hand and wiping the tears off her cheek.

"So you don't trust me?"

"I'm just scared." She retorted, her voice becoming bitter once again. And she was scared. She didn't want to lose him. Not again.

"Of what?"

"That you'll die. Or worse...you survive and don't come home. Maybe you'll change your mind...find someone else...I don't know." The possible, terrifying, scenarios were racing through her head.

She heard a heavy, annoyed sigh from behind her.

"And you don't care. You don't care how I feel." She said, her voice becoming shaky.

"I'll pick up with you where I left off when I come home."

Her eyes widened. "Are you not hearing what I'm saying!?" She shouted, turning around to face him. She noticed his face was twisted into a glare, as hers formed one as well. "What happens if you don't come home?! Then I'll be here alone!!!" She shouted furiously.

"I gave you my word, Sakura. I can't give you anything else!" He shouted back, making Sakura even more angry.

"Words are only so binding, Sasuke. Just stay with me!" She shouted. And that was a mistake. His eyes narrowed, and his teeth were barring now, making memories of the night at the Uchiha estate flash back. That rage he had shown her when he told her he couldn't stay with him. But still, her lips just kept moving. "Am I just supposed to sit and wait for you, unsure if you'll ever come home?"

"Then don't!"

She gasped, raising her hand to cover her mouth before she said anymore stupid things.

"Maybe you should move on with your life when I move on with mine." He said, his voice taming itself quietly.

Silence.

"Is...that what you want?" She asked sadly, closing her eyes tightly. "For me to move on?"

He bit his lip hard, tasting the blood as it filled his mouth.

"If my promise keeps tormenting you like this...then yes."

She opened her eyes. They were glassy, scared...sad. She didn't want to move on. And she didn't want him saying that.

There was so much she wanted to say...but right now...she couldn't. They wouldn't come out. And she knew if she stayed here any longer, she'd burst into tears completely.

A sad, yet slightly annoyed look filled Sasuke's face, and he sighed once more.

"Sakura..."

"Get some rest."

His eyes widened. She wasn't really going to leave in the middle of an argument like this, was she?

"Saku-"

"After a goodnight's sleep...you...you should be able to leave. And then continue your training." She turned around and pulled the door open, walking through, and shutting it tightly.

Sasuke didn't say anything. He couldn't. He didn't know what to say. But just the thought of her leaving like that...

Not only made him uncomfortable, disappointed and slightly sad...

But it also made him wonder about her words. Because they were true.

After he killed Itachi...his promise was only as good as any other lie he had ever told.

And that was something he just couldn't help.

Next Chapter: Forget Me Not