It's been three days since she woke up and found herself held captive by her former teammate. She wondered aimlessly around the house, looking for something to do before the boredom could literally kill her. She cursed the sole survivor of the Uchiha clan for leaving her alone in the mansion while he gets to train freely. Honestly, if she was twelve again she would be thrilled to live under the same roof with him although treated like a prisoner but right now she was far from thrilled. She was pissed. Not only she was not able to train and work at the hospital, but she was also forced to stay in the house with nothing to do.

The pink haired medic glared at the clock, hoping that it would make the time go faster. It's a quarter past five and she had to wait for at least an hour more until he comes back from training. She knew that the Uchiha's presence wouldn't help to ease the boredom but at least she had company. She really missed her loud mouthed best friend right now. If Naruto was here he'd be able to make her laugh and forget about her troubles, but no, fate decided to be cruel to her. Instead of a lively friend, she was stuck with a socially constipated ass. Great!

She remembered how her younger self would pray that she could be with her first love like this but now it all seemed like a cruel joke. 'If this is the answer to all my past prayers to be with Sasuke, then you are a bit late on that, Big Man.' Sakura thought to herself.

Sure, she was honored that he chose her as his anchor to his sanity but she didn't expect that he would lock her up in this dull place. Again, she shouldn't have expected much from someone that had a trust issue like Sasuke. The kunoichi sighed for the umpteenth time that day. She hated this place. It creep the hell out of her especially now that she knew this mansion was one of Orochimaru's abandoned hideout. She could imagine the suffering his experiments went through in this old building. Sasuke refused to tell her in what country they were staying at but judging from the constant downpour, they're in Amegakure.

Speaking of the devil, he finally came back from training. His clothes were soaked with his sweat and his body was covered with several cuts and bruises. Sakura glared at the raven haired young man. She was jealous that he looked like he had fun training while she was stuck in some creepy mansion. Sasuke raised a questioning eyebrow when she crossed her arms across her chest and tapped her foot impatiently.

"What?" he said with a heavy sigh. Seriously, he didn't have the energy to deal with her right now.

"What? That is the only thing you could say to me after leaving me to die from boredom in this dull house yet again?" her hands twitched. They were ready to punch the oblivious male in front of her into oblivion.

"Tch. You're overreacting. I see you're still alive and well, unfortunately."

"What did you say? Why you little!" she screamed at him, ready to pounce and rip the smugness off his pretty face.

In an instant, he flash stepped in front of her, his rough hands strangling her neck. The desire to kill her was overwhelming. Sasuke was tired and she was pushing all of his buttons. An evil smirk made its way to his handsome face. He could almost imagine the satisfying crack that he would hear if he snapped her pretty little neck.

Sakura tried to pry his hands of her neck but the lack of chakra prevented her from using her inhuman strength to break free. She was choking and he was enjoying it. That moment, she realized that the man she loved had fallen deeper into the darkness than she imagined. He was turning into someone or something that she couldn't recognize. She had to save him before it was too late.

The lack of oxygen was finally taking its toll on her. The pink haired medic was starting to feel light headed and her vision was starting to blur. She wanted to succumb to the darkness so badly but she knew she had to do something to prevent Sasuke from doing something that he'll regret later after he was finally in a right state of mind.

"S-sasuke, stop it. Th-this is not you." she managed to say after much difficulty.

However, her words didn't seem to faze him at all. The look on his face showed how determined he was to end her life.

"S-sasuke-kun." She managed to choke out before the darkness claimed her.

His hands instantly let her go as he broke out of the trance. His eyes widen in realization when he saw her unconscious body fell limp on the floor. Sasuke was horrified. God, what had he done to her? His trembling hand made his way to her bruised neck to check her pulse. He stopped midway as horrible thoughts flooded his thoughts. What if she's dead? How can he forgive himself if she's really gone? How can he live without her? He was surprised when that last thought crossed his mind. He didn't dwell on it and convinced himself that he needed her to keep his sanity and nothing more. The shinobi finally checked her pulse when he gained his courage.

To his relief, they were still there. He let out a relieved sigh. The lad picked her up bridal style and brought her to his room. He wanted to be there when she woke up. It's the least he could do after what he had done to her. He laid her down on the bed and caressed her beautiful face.

It's the first time he had look at her this closely. Sasuke couldn't deny the fact that his pink haired team mate had grown into a beautiful young woman. Her face showed maturity that she gained after the hardship that she went through as a kunoichi yet there was still innocence and sincerity. He intertwined his hand with hers. Her comforting warmth seeped through his hands to his cold heart and lulled him into a peaceful sleep that he never had ever since the massacre.

The young man woke up the next morning when he felt her stirring in her sleep. Relief washed over him as the medic-nin's eyes fluttered open. To say that he was surprised was an understatement when she gave him a weak but reassuring smile. He expected her to scream bloody murder upon seeing him but her reaction truly caught him off guard.

"H-hey, are you alright, Sasuke?" she asked, her voice was laced with worry and concern for him.

He was taken aback. She was still concerned about him even though he tried to kill her. He was supposed to be the one asking that question, not her. Even in her current condition, she still cared for him more than herself.

"Why?" he ran his fingers through his hair.

"What do you mean?" she asked like nothing bad had happened between them.

"Why didn't scream at me and tell me that you hate me? Why do you always put me first above everything else even yourself? Why do you still care about me after what I had done to you?" The shadow of his bangs hid his face that had guilt written all over it.

She gave him another comforting smile. "I don't hate you. I cared about you because you are my friend. I don't blame you because I knew you didn't mean it and the man who hurt me last night was not the real you, the Uchiha Sasuke I knew."

Guilt and an unknown feeling stabbed at his heart painfully. He clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white. Sasuke wanted to beat himself up for hurting someone as kind as Sakura. He swore to himself that he would do everything he can to protect her from every danger especially himself.

Like she knew what he was feeling, she pulled him into her warm and comforting embrace. He stiffened at the sudden contact but he found himself relaxing in her soothing touch.

"I will always be there for you and I'll never give up on you, Sasuke-kun." She whispered in his ear and suddenly, he found his dark world a little brighter. She was his light that would guide him back and away from the darkness.

I just came back from the hostel and my brain is still tired after the exam I just had. So that was it for this chappie. I know it sucks but bear with me please~ Also, thanks to those who followed, favorited and reviewed my story. Keep them coming guys! hehee~