Okay- WOW! Sorry this took so long to get up, I've been UBER busy. Actually, in the past few days, I've sprained my ankle! On top of that, basketball districts are going on and we're in the championship game tomorrow night! (Wish me luck!) Anyhow...sorry about the delay of updating...I hope you all enjoy!

Review!!!

Chapter Twenty-Three: Forget Me Not

"Leave me alone. Get out of my face. I'm tired of love, and feeling so misplaced."

"He told me five days."

She looked away, resting her head in her hand.

Sakura had met up with Naruto at a sweets shop to catch up. She hadn't seen him in almost as long as she hadn't seen Sasuke. And she hadn't spoken to Sasuke since the night at the hospital. She didn't know if she was happy or sad about that.

"Whatever, I don't care." She spat obnoxiously, making Naruto grunt.

"You know, Pervy Sage told me something once..."

She slowly looked back at him, a bored expression plastered on her face.

"He who angers you...conquers you." He finished, raising a finger and attempting to point out his intelligence.

She rolled her eyes and scoffed at his remark.

"Sasuke Uchiha has not conquered me." She looked away again, making Naruto sigh.

"No, of course not. He only managed to make you fall hopelessly in love with him..." His eyes widened, his voice sarcastic. "And he didn't even mean to do it! Face it...you're hopelessly devoted."

She narrowed her eyes, a burning sensation creeping over her skin. Yes, that was all true. And very annoying. That would explain why the loser would have to point it out.

"Yes...I'm hopelessly in love with him. And it's that hopelessness that will eventually help me fall out of love with him." She said softly, thinking back on her last conversation with him. Or more...her last argument with him. Wow...it seemed like it was getting worse every time she ran it through her head.

Naruto chuckled. "That will never happen."

She looked back at him, a glare forming on her face.

"You know it, Sakura."

She rolled her eyes again and took the last drink of her tea. She could at least try to get over Sasuke...I mean...it was clearly a hopeless situation...right?

"But I guess you're making progress with him. After all...you guys have kissed a couple times, and the Sasuke I used to know would have never done something like that. At least not back in the old days. Maybe he's finally coming around." Naruto added, scratching his head.

Sakura's expression softened, and a smile formed on her face. Maybe...maybe a little. But he was coming around rigid. And despite Naruto's reasoning, she was still mad at him.

She nodded, though, hoping to end the conversation. But then that she heard a nervous chuckle escape Naruto.

"Sakura...don't look now but uh-"

She slowly looked in the direction of Naruto's gaze, and seen Kakashi and Sasuke walking down the street, toward the shop they were currently located at. They were looking rather ragged from training. And much to her horror, her former sensei waved. Damn, now she was screwed. She quickly turned back to Naruto, who gave her a sympathetic look.

"Hey you guys." Kakashi and Sasuke approached their table, slipping under the drapes.

Sakura turned her head in the opposite direction, hoping to avoid any looks from Sasuke. And definitely hoping to avoid conversation.

"Hey...Kakashi." Naruto said, grinning. "What are you two up to?"

"Just got done training. Taking a small break." Kakashi said, scratching the back of his head. He turned to Sasuke, who's face was completely emotionless and bored, and his gaze was pointed off in the opposite direction. "You want anything, Sasuke? My treat?"

Sasuke shook his head. "No."

His low voice made Sakura flinch.

Kakashi shrugged and turned to Naruto and Sakura. "On a date, you two?"

Now it was Sasuke's turn to flinch. His cold eyes slowly turned to Sakura, and she could feel his gaze.

Naruto chuckled nervously and shook his head, while Sakura slowly turned to look at her former sensei.

"No, Kakashi. I'm currently not dating anyone at the moment."

Sasuke eyes narrowed.

"In fact, I'm as single as I could ever be." She added again, her eyes meeting Sasukes. Both their faces twisted into glares, and Kakashi and Naruto exchanged glances between the two.

"A-alright. Well, uh...N-Naruto, hows that, uh...ANBU friend of yours? Kalei?" Kakashi stammered.

Sasuke's jaw tightened, and he shoved his hands into his pockets, looking away, apparently uncomfortable hearing Kalei's name...and this didn't go unnoticed by Sakura. She rolled her eyes and looked off in the opposite direction as well.

Naruto noticed Sasuke's reaction too, and a solemn look came over his face.

"She's good. I just seen her yesterday morning. I think she's planning on leaving to the Sand Village for a while."

Sasuke's eyes widened at Naruto's words. Was Kalei going to the Sand Village for her mothers memorial? When would she be back? And when was she leaving?

Naruto sighed and shook his head. "She's just been bumming' around lately. I'm kind of worried about her."

Sakura thought back on the morning when Kalei had walked in on her and Sasuke. Could that possibly be bothering her?

Kakashi nodded and sighed. "I see. Well...Sasuke, if your not hungry, what do you say we get back to the training grounds?" He shifted his gaze to Sasuke, who slowly nodded. "Alright, well, see you two later." Kakashi said once more, waving and turning around to walk out the store.

Sasuke was in mid movement when he heard Naruto's voice...

"Sasuke."

He stopped and turned back to look at Naruto, who nodded his head toward Sakura. She was still looking off in the opposite direction, trying to completely ignore the both of them.

Sasuke sighed and turned to fully face them.

"Sakura." His voice was low.

"Leave." She replied simply, never looking at him.

A small scowl crept onto Sasuke's face. Damn, she was stubborn.

Naruto rolled his eyes, clearly unhappy with Sasuke's poor attempt to talk to her.

"Sakura, there's nothing to be mad abou-"

"I said leave." She cut him off, now turning her head to face him. Her face was sad, unlike the glare she was shooting him just minutes ago.

"Sasuke! Come on!" Kakashi yelled from the street.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He didn't want to have to leave their conversation on a bad note again. But it was looking like he had no choice. So he just sighed, and turned around, walking away. Giving Sakura exactly what she wanted.

And she just watched him as he walked away, hearing Naruto sigh heavily beside her. Her eyes drifted to his.

"He's trying to make amends...don't push him away." He said, a small smile present on his face. Sakura just let her gaze drift to the table.

"I'm not ready...I'm not ready to...go through the pain of losing him all over again." She whispered, voice shaky.

Naruto frowned.

"I don't think we're ever ready for those things...Sakura."

Sasuke had got done training early and decided to call it a night. He had just walked through the door and threw his coat on the floor in the corner. It was cold out. A gray sky. And any genius could tell...

It was going to rain.

And inevitably, the thought of rain...brought Kalei to his mind.

He hadn't seen her since the night they had said their goodbye's. And that made him a little sad and disappointed. And the fact that Naruto had been seeing her, made him a little angry and jealous.

He hadn't given it much thought, but as he walked by the window, and took note of the dark, gray clouds...he couldn't help but think of her. How was she doing? What was she doing? Would he ever see her again? Were she and Naruto an item now? Did she still have feelings for him?

He sighed and walked up the stairs, slowly peeling off his clothes.

He hopped in the shower...a cold shower. He was hot and sweaty anyway...and the cold made him feel more alive. Right now, he felt anything but that. So he stayed in the shower for about a half an hour and slowly made his way to his room, grabbing a short sleeve blue shirt and baggy white shorts. He ruffled through his hair a bit, and walked over to a dresser to grab some socks.

But he noticed something on his dresser. It wasn't there before.

His eyes widened...

It was a Leaf headband. It was new and shiny, on a black silk band, similar to the one he possessed back when he was a genin. And looking at it, made pain grow in his chest. His eyes slowly moved to the folded note above it. He slowly grabbed it, unfolded it, and read it...his heart shattering even more.

Sasuke,

Lady Hokage asked me to bring this to you.

I wanted to see you, but I knew you were out training.

I hope thats going well for you.

I plan on leaving to the Sand Village very soon to see my mothers memorial service.

I hope things go well with it.

I hope your leaving Konoha fairs well also, and I know you might not come back, but this headband still symbolizes the time you spent here.

Please have it...

And if the fact that she had brought it to him wasn't enough...

The next few words hurt even more. But they answered his question...

Yours truly,

For now and for always,

Kalei Hitsuchi

He bit his lip and folded the paper again, setting it down on the dresser. His eyes ran over the headband. She didn't want to see him. She had purposely came to his house at a time he wasn't home. And it was because it was hard on her. He knew that. He wasn't stupid. But it angered him.

He was causing her pain, and they hadn't even seen each other in over a week. It was ridiculous. How was he ever going to get over the fact that he hurt the people he cared about most?

Sakura.

That's who he was hurting the worst. That's who he kept pulling in, then pushing away. That's who he wanted to stay with...but knew he had to leave. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, thinking about the past few weeks.

He didn't want to leave the village on a bad note. Not with Sakura. Sure, an argument here or there was something to get over...but he couldn't leave and still have her upset with him. Besides...even though he didn't show it...it was upsetting him too. He needed to see her. He needed to talk to her.

He needed her.

Now.

Sakura pulled her hair into a ribbon and poured herself a glass of water. She looked out the window, watching the rain intently. It was around 9 o' clock. Dark, gloomy. And it was making her tired. And the rain was making her dreary and...rather nauseated. She was thinking about Kalei. She was worrying about Kalei.

Ugh, the thought was sickening.

She took a big drink of the water and slammed it on the counter, causing little droplets to escape the cup. She sighed heavily and ran a hand over her face.

She was a little upset with herself on how her conversation with Sasuke went this morning. She didn't know why, but she felt bad. Like this was her fault. And maybe it was. But maybe it wasn't. After all, Sasuke shouldn't leave. And he shouldn't push her away...right?

Just then, she heard heavy knocking on the door. Her eyes widened, and she shot a glance at the clock.

I never get any company this late. Well, except Naruto. Who could it be?

Just then, she heard the knocking again. She slowly made her way to the door, and leaned her ear against it, hoping to maybe hear them talking...or something.

"Sakura, it's me."

Her eyes widened as her breath caught in her throat.

Sasuke.

And sure enough, after seeing the note from Kalei, and giving it some thought...he realized he needed to talk to Sakura. He was sick of fighting with her. He had to clear this up. So right away, he took off from his house, to hers. And on his way, it started raining.

Well not raining, actually...it was downright pouring. He was drenched from head to toe, the rain still hitting him. He was cold, crabby and tired.

But yet...here he was...doing something very un-Sasuke-ish.

He knocked again.

Sakura pulled her head from the door, a frown covering her face.

"Go away." She said firmly.

And the knocking ceased.

"Saku-"

"Go away, Sasuke." She said, emotion now crawling in. Her voice was shaky, and she felt like she was going to cry.

Silence.

"Talk to me." His low voice casted through the door to Sakura's ears. Her chest felt heavy and she swallowed hard.

"There's nothing to talk about." She muttered, pushing the lock on the door in case he tried to come in by force.

"There is. You know it." He said, running his hands up and down his arms. He was cold. No doubt.

And Sakura knew she should at least let him in. After all, he was getting pelted by rain drops. But she just couldn't face him. Not now.

"Are you talking about your leaving." She started, making his eyes widen. "Your leaving...me alone. Abandoning me."

He tightened his jaw.

"Sakura, you knew this would happen."

Silence.

She could hear the rain outside. His low voice. The ticking of the clock behind her. Her own shuddering breathe. She leaned her back against the door, contemplating what to say.

"Leave me alone." She said simply, closing her eyes tightly to stop herself from crying.

He sighed. "Saku-"

"I'm getting tired of you. Get away. I'm better off on my own! This isn't gonna work...and...I'm all out of words..." She shouted, angry with his attempts to keep this conversation going. She just didn't want to see him. Was that so hard to understand?

But being the stubborn Uchiha he was...

"You have plenty to say! And are you trying to tell me you actually want me to leave? Because I swear just a couple days ago you were begging me to stay!" He shouted back, his words biting at her heart.

Her body started trembling, and she felt her eyes tear up.

Silence.

"Don't give me a guilt trip." He murmured quietly, but loud enough so Sakura could hear it. Her heart started racing, the sound of the rain becoming louder to her ears.

What do I say? What do I say?!

"So what...will you try and forget me...?" His voice was softer now, but persistent. And sad. Almost, scared.

Her eyes widened, the pools of tears growing.

A minute of silence passed.

"I have known you...my whole life..." She whispered, causing Sasuke to lean his forehead on the door, struggling to hear her words.

And as the first tear fell slowly down Sakura's cheek, she could swear, that she could feel him, despite the door blocking their touch.

"I got used to...living without you..." She muttered again, causing Sasuke's heart to race. "And...dreaming about you..."

His thoughts drifted back to the first night he had seen her. She had told him, later on...that she had had a nightmare about him. And that that was what had caused her to go for a walk to clear her mind. Funny how coincidental that was. And that was what had led to this. His being here.

"I always thought that...we were meant to be..." She closed her eyes, more tears streaming down her face.

"But I guess...I was in love with your memory..."

He closed his eyes, taking in her words.

Damn, this was hard.

"I wish that I could save you from the hurt." She said again, sobs rising into her throat. "But I can't...God knows I've tried. I just wish...we could...be how we used to be..."

Apparently, this hurt her too. And it was leaving him almost completely speechless. But he needed to say something to her...

A small, sad chuckle escaped his lips, and he realized...

She wasn't going to let him in. Not now, not even later. So then...it was now or never...

"Things will never go back to how they were." He said against the door, making Sakura's eyes shoot open, and more tears fall.

"Just let me go." He whispered again, pulling his head from the door. He turned and took a deep breath.

After another moment of silence, she heard him speak again, a sad laugh intertwined with his words...

"I don't know...maybe we'll be together again..."

Sakura felt her knee's give out on her, her back slowly slipping down the door.

"...in another life..."

And as she hit the floor, her face now in her hands, she heard his footsteps walking away. But it was soon drowned out by the sound of her crying. Her chest heaved as the conversation ran through her mind over and over again. There was so much she said wrong. Again. Damn, why did she always go and ruin it? She was such a bitch to him. She didn't deserve him. She deserved to be like this...but...if she was right...from the sound of his voice...he was in pain too...

And he didn't deserve that. And she didn't want him to hurt anymore. She wasn't saving him at all...she was making it worse. And there was nothing she could do.

So she just sat there, crying...and crying...and crying. Being...

Weak.

The word ran through her head, making her bite her tongue.

She wasn't weak. She wasn't.

She was strong...strong enough to get control of herself.

Come on, Sakura. Stop this crying.

And she slowly started controlling the sobbing, pulling her hands from her face, the tears still slightly falling.

Stand up, Sakura. You can do this.

And she slowly pushed herself up off the floor, thinking about Sasuke.

This wasn't how she wanted this to end. She had to make things right...

Now she had to make the amends.

Go on, Sakura. Chase after that boy.

And she quickly undid the lock on the door, threw it open, and took off in the rain, hopefully to catch up with Sasuke.

And he hadn't gotten far. He was walking slow, dragging his feet, letting the rain wash over him. Hopefully to wash away the guilt and pain he was feeling. But so far...it was proving to be fruitless.

All he had now were what he thought to be regrets.

"Sasuke!"

He stopped dead in his tracks and turned around, facing a panting Sakura. A completely drenched Sakura, standing merely 15 feet away from him.

His eyes widened, and he found himself completely speechless. He wasn't expecting this at all.

She removed her hands from her knees and looked up at him, eyes full of tears that you could see even through the rain.

"I-I said I would keep my word." Her voice was hoarse, shaky...

He swallowed hard.

"I...I'll wait, Sasuke. Forever- I'll wait forever if I have to!" She shouted, running toward him in a dead sprint. Her feet pulled up droplets from the ground as she got closer to him.

And instinctively, as she reached out for him and jumped into his arms, he wrapped his own around her figure tightly and spun in a circle as to keep his balance. Her sobbing filled his ears and he slowly put her down to her feet. Her arms were snaked around his neck tightly, his head resting on hers.

"I'm sorry I can't be your world." She murmured into his chest, causing him to close his eyes tightly and breath in the smell of her hair.

She was beautiful, even in the rain. Maybe even more so.

And he was sorry too...this wasn't fair to Sakura.

But what could he do?

Well...

The only thing he could think of.

"I love you...Sakura."

Next Chapter: Preparing His Leave