AN: I'm so sorry for the delay…school's a pain…but I enjoy it nonetheless…

I know some of you find their age difference creepy…I made it so because I wanted to portray that love knows no bounds..oh well can't please everyone can I?...so here goes…: )

By the way…ratings changed…

CHAPTER 4: Unsung Melody

How had things gotten so out of hand? One moment he was very much anticipating his return home, and the next…he wasn't so sure. The instant he had seen how much has changed, particularly his ward, he felt that things wouldn't be as simple as it had been. So he did the only thing that never failed to save him from making a fool out of himself, he ran up to the castle's tower, sat on the edge and stared at the city below him, not really seeing anything and thinking about the incident that led him to flee.

Flashback

Sasuke wasn't aware how long he stood there, staring at the beautiful lady in front of him. It was her voice that allowed him to gain back his senses.

"Sasuke-kun, I'm not dreaming am I?" she looked at him tenderly, and he fought hard not to swallow.

"I don't think so hime, as promised, I have returned." He smiled.

What happened next was one he should have anticipated, but with his whole being still trying to recover from shock, his reflexes were quite slow. Again he found himself perplexed, but he couldn't deny the comfort her warmth and scent gave him. Sakura's impromptu hug did what Sasuke's enemies could not do, it caught him off guard.

"You are real. I'm so glad." Her breath tickled the hairs on his neck.

"Of course I am." His voice hid what was really going on inside.

He knew he should move away, this was too much for him. Wasn't he the one who made the no-touching-me-rule? What was he doing now?...returning her embrace. He should be mortified, yet he was feeling the opposite. This was wrong, but the body pressed against him never felt so right.

So he gave himself this moment of weakness, this moment he would never have again. He allowed himself to savor each and every emotion she was evoking in him. Because the moment her arms leave his body, he would be the emotional monster once again.

"Welcome home Sasuke-kun."

End of Flashback

"Great going there, teme." Naruto's wolfish grin was so much like Naru-chan's. his blue eyes twinkling with unconcealed mischief.

"What are you doing here dobe?" his charcoal eyes stared at the man impassively, not betraying his raging emotions inside.

"Stop acting like nothing happened, I saw everything Sasuke. It's hard to believe she has grown that much huh? I couldn't be too sure since I was always with her."

Their talk turned serious, Sasuke was afraid of that. But Naruto was his friend, one that can be trusted, maybe he needed this…so he decided to tell him.

"I can't help but wish she stayed the same as she was before I left. Then things wouldn't be complicated."

"That's being selfish."

He sighed. He knew that, but there was nothing he could do now. He wasn't that unfeeling, he knew she held a certain feeling for him. One he could never return no matter what happens. Now that she was all grown he knew she just might get the courage to say it to his face. He could find none for himself when that time comes. He didn't want to hurt the girl, he cared, but not enough to actually love her.

"I can't love her Naruto. I am not capable of such emotion. All I know is hatred and revenge."

"You wouldn't let that go huh?"

"Never."

"Then I hope you wouldn't regret your decision."

At that Naruto left him alone. Sasuke went back to his brooding, there should be no room for regret, when the time comes I will get my revenge, no one can stop me…not even Sakura.

Her face earlier suddenly flashed through his mind and for a moment he found it hard to harden his heart.

Maybe Karin's arrival would stop this nonsense…

I guess I'm just in need of a woman…

Not once though, had he managed to convince himself.

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She couldn't help the grin that was forming on her pretty face. Sakura had changed her dress at least five times the maids were already exhausted from helping her. But she just couldn't find the perfect one.

"Not this one either, I want Sasuke-kun to see me as a lady!"

Her head suddenly whipped towards the door…and in came her mother, smiling at her, a knowing twinkle in Tsunade's eyes.

"Darling, you don't have to push yourself too hard. No matter what you wear Sasuke would always think you're beautiful."

Sakura smiled at her mother, yet there was sadness in her face.

"I know, but I'm not stupid, he'll forever see me as a child. So I have to look sophisticated, elegant even."

"Sakura, just be yourself. Give the man some space"

"You're right okasan, I must behave properly."

"That's my girl."

Tsunade ruffled her hair and then left.

Sakura was once again left to her thoughts. It was the happiest she ever felt when she was secured in Sasuke's arms, she felt hope rise in her…maybe it's possible he feels the same way…

But she also saw the way his eyes went cold, he wasn't the same anymore…perhaps he had never changed…she was just too naïve to notice anything but his good looks. Still, she couldn't stop herself from loving him.

She looked out her window and watched him welcoming a group of people she didn't know.

Sasuke-kun, it's alright if you can't love me back…I love you enough for both of us…

And felt her heart break all over again when a woman with red hair kissed him.

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He was caught unaware, though it didn't show on his external features. He was as still as a rock, then he pushed Karin off of him.

"Sasuke-kun, didn't you miss me?" the woman gave him a pout.

"Don't do that again." Was all he said and turned his back on her.

His gaze involuntarily glanced up, Sakura was staring at them, too distraught to move from her position. He could read her like a book. Without a single wave or a smile, he went on his way. This is how things should be Sakura…it's time to wake up.

But try as he might to remain emotionless, he couldn't ignore the small pang in his chest as he envisioned her pained expression, as he realized even their friendship had been severed. What had been cannot be saved, what was left was nothing but shattered dreams. It is not like him to feel any remorse or regret for his decisions.

I am a ninja…duty comes first.

I am a killing machine…there is no room in me for any kind of attachment

The only emotion I'm allowed to have is hate.

He had his conviction back, and it was more than enough to put his defenses up again. But not everyone could be fooled.

"Must you be that cruel?" a muffled voice came from behind.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Kakashi."

"Fine. I won't pry. But at the end of the day Sasuke, I wouldn't be the one who's suffering."

"Hn."

He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he knew what Kakashi said was true. That bothered him more than anything else.

"Hurry up, we're late for the briefing."

He hoped the meeting would keep his mind off of things…mainly a pink haired woman.

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

Their briefing lasted half a day. Sasuke found himself thinking about her every minute, and it annoyed him to no end. Even faced with the most problematic scenarios, he couldn't shake her away. The need to see her was becoming stronger now that nothing else was keeping him busy.

He hasn't seen her all day, except that morning by her window. He knew she lingered around the meeting room because he felt her chakra, so she'd know that the meeting's over…why then is she not coming after me?

Isn't this what I wanted?

The garden was the only place she could be in. It was her sanctuary, as well as his. He wasn't at all surprised to find her by the pond with Naruto and Naru-chan nearby. The blonde looked at him, Sasuke merely inclined his head. Both Naruto and Naru-chan moved away from the pond.

"How have you been Sasuke-kun? I guess you're pretty exhausted, that was a long meeting. You must have been pissed at my father."

Despite the tension, he found himself smirking.

"You could say that."

Silence…and she was the first to break it. He smiled inwardly, at least some things haven't changed.

"Why are you here then? You should be up in your room, resting."

She still refused to face him, afraid that when she sees him, she'd only breakdown. The mere sound of his voice sent her on the edge.

"I know, listen…what you saw a earlier, it was nothing."

He mentally cursed himself, he didn't come here to explain. He wasn't even sure if it was his intention to make his presence known. He realized then, that when it comes to Sakura, things never go according to plan.

"Don't explain. I can take a hint."

"It's not that, you don't under-"

"Stop it, I'm not that naïve anymore. I am no longer a child whether u choose to believe it or not."

You have no idea how much I do, Sakura.

He was about to reply when she finally faced him, and again the wind was knocked out of him. This time though, she looked different from when she had greeted him. Her face was solemn, her mouth upturned into a sad smile. He had underestimated her, she understood after all.

He didn't know why it gave him such sorrow.

"Demo, I'll always love you Sasuke-kun, no matter what you say or do."

It all happened so fast, later he'd ask himself how he lost his control, but for now he would take in everything. How her green orbs got huge when he suddenly pulled her to him, how her body molded easily against his, how her eyes shut the moment his lips claimed hers, how soft and sweet her lips were when he gently bit on them.

He was gone the next second, leaving behind him a flurry of leaves.

And a very confused Sakura.

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She remained motionless even after he left, it took a few calls from Naruto and an affectionate hip from Naru-chan to snap her out of her trance.

"Oi, Sakura-chan, are you alright? Where's the teme?"

He wasn't able to hear her reply, she went flying past him.

Naruto only scratched his head before slumping under a tree, muttering something like 'girls.'

He was back in his room, he let out the breath he had been holding. His knees were shaking as he sat on his bed.

Sasuke had his head on his palms, trying to block out his encounter with Sakura. He was treading on unfamiliar ground and he hated it. He shouldn't be this affected, that was by no chance his first kiss. But it shook him, and that was just unacceptable.

She's only a girl, ten years his junior. He wasn't supposed to feel this way, he wasn't supposed to feel anything at all. There are battles to be fought along with his revenge, he had no time for anything else.

What he needed was a distraction.

It came in the form of Karin.

She walked slowly towards him, licking her lips in the process.

Normally he would shoo her away, but right now, he needed this. And so he allowed her to crawl over his lap. Her arms went around him, her body grinding against his own. He closed his eyes.

"You seem tense Sasuke-kun." She whispered in his ear as she nibbled his earlobe.

He didn't say anything. He allowed his hands to move on instinct, he teared off her clothes and cupped her right breast, he heard her moan, then his actions became rough. He stood up momentarily to remove his pants, then he slammed her down hard. Her scream echoed all over the room.

He knew it was wrong, he was fucking one woman while thinking of another. But he felt no guilt, he needed this, he reasoned with himself.

They continued to move back and forth, their need increasing at every thrust. He was so occupied that he didn't hear the door open.

But as he reached his release, he opened his eyes

…and found them staring directly into green ones.

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She heard someone screaming, and ran towards it. Thinking an intruder was able to get in the castle. She knew she should call for help, but the sound came from Sasuke's room and she wanted to make sure he was alright.

What she saw would scar her heart for life.

He was with the red haired woman in bed, both were naked.

Karin was smirking at her proudly.

Sasuke was looking at her coldly.

And she thought she couldn't feel more hurt.

How wrong she was.

"What are you looking at little Sakura? Want to join us?" his smirk mirroring Karin's

I am a ninja…duty comes first

"Is this what you wanted from me Sasuke? Disgust?"

There was no endearment attached to his name, he unwittingly noticed.

"I don't care whatever you feel about me. You said you weren't naïve anymore, were you lying?" he forced himself to look at her without any emotions.

I am a killing machine…there is no room in me for any kind of attachment

"Why did you kiss me a while ago?" her voice was trembling.

"I thought it would be fun, little Sakura got her wish, she was kissed by her love, a bit pathetic actually."

The tears finally flowed freely from her eyes. Her knuckles were white from gripping the door knob.

The only emotion I'm allowed to have is hate.

"The truth is, I hate you."

At that instant, he knew he had really killed her.

The nightmares he would be seeing from here on would be so much worse. But he told himself it was for her own good. He had been talking to himself a lot lately, and frankly he couldn't find justice in his words.

He expected her to go on a rage, scream and lose her temper. He was surprised then, when she merely bowed her head and apologized for intruding.

Once the door closed Karin smirked at him seductively.

"Shall we continue?"

"Get off, you disgust me." And myself…

"B-but Sasuke-"

His eyes bled red…

"I said, get. Out."

Fear overrode her lust, she scrambled out of the room.

The guilt he said he wasn't feeling was eating at him right now.

He laid on his bed and closed his eyes.

Sleep wouldn't come tonight.

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Morning came.

She watched as the rays flittered through her window, she was done crying, but the despair at his betrayal still remained.

Wait…betrayal? He wasn't even yours Sakura…Stop dreaming.

The sky was blue, she watched as the birds carelessly flew and wished she was one of them, maybe then, she'd be free from her pain.

Her window suddenly opened and Sasuke jumped in.

She stared at him, for the first time he was unable to read her thoughts.

"What are you doing here? Got tired of her and came to fuck me instead?"

He winced. She said it with no emotion at all, Sakura was very different from last night.

"I came to say goodbye, I need to go back to war." He said in the same deadpanned voice.

"Goodbye then." She returned easily.

He clenched his fists tightly before opening his palms to her.

"Also…I came to give this back."

She looked at his outstretched hands, her ribbon was there.

"Keep it. I don't want that anymore, not with your stain on it."

Keep it, so you would remember me always…

"I don't want it either." He threw it out the window.

Once again he left in a flurry of leaves.

Sakura allowed herself to cry.

This would be the last time I'd cry for you Sasuke-kun, after this, I'll forget you…I will become strong so I wouldn't have to rely on you anymore.

Goodbye…

She knew he wouldn't be coming back this time.

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He left her room with a heavy heart. Her pain was his, her cries was his as well, for she knew he cannot shed a tear.

He heard the call of his teammates, but he went on a detour before he went out the gates.

Their private sanctuary, and there it was floating in the middle of the pond…her ribbon.

He picked it up and kept it in his breast pocket.

I don't want it either.

"I don't want to let go of the only memory I have of you."

He took one last glace at her window then followed his group.

Sasuke wanted her to forget all about him.

But needed her to forever keep him in her heart.

Yes, I really am a selfish bastard.

AN: Please don't kill me…

Hopefully by the end of this year the next chapter would be up…: )