Fated Encounter

CHAPTER 4

Sakura's backside had a habit of getting numb from time to time these days. She was still unable to walk or do much anything except follow the village live its life through the window. The bed was her kingdom and her life literally circled around it; she slept on it, she sat on it and she ate on it. She was even washed on it and doing her other private need were also full-filled on it with the help of Anako.

It was gross but it was exactly same thing she had to do to her patient back in Konoha's hospital. She didn't whine or make another sound. It was not that she didn't want to seem weak, but rather because her throat was still recovering. To some extent it was frustrating but she had no other choice.

And the presence of the Konoha shinobis was taking its toll on Sakura. She needed to make sure nothing would reveal that she was in the village because if they happened to find her, she was sure she would be dead the moment she crossed Konoha's gates. It was unnerving for she couldn't do much and needed to rely on Anako and his grandson. And the girl Nea. She was a whole another liked to talk but so far she had not come up with the idea that Sakura might know the ninjas.

Sakura had a feeling that Anako and Kuro were two people she could trust in, but as a kunoichi she needed to keep her head leveled. She couldn't afford trusting in those two too much since she had only known them, for a short period of time. And she still didn't know how she had ended up with them. Well she knew that someone had brought her but Anako was very careful of her words when around her. Sakura had a feeling that she tried to protect that man's identity, and it was getting annoying.

She just wanted to know more of what had happened, but as long as she was unable to speak, it's out of the question. Of course, she knew what happened to her before she had passed out into the snow, but everything after that was somewhere deep in her consciousness. Somewhere so deep that she can't reach.

Deep in thought Sakura snapped back to attention when Hinata's dark blue hair passed by the window. It was the third time she had seen someone from Konoha and every single time her had lifted to touch her short hair. She still felt so naked, as if someone could easily recognize her even though they can't identify her by using her hair since Anako had helped her to dye it. The familiar pink locks were now deep brown and messy looking.

It was Anako's idea to dye it if the people from Konoha suddenly decided to barge into the homes of the villagers. Sakura didn't protest and instead approved of the idea. Everything that helps to keep her hidden she would approve of. Luckily her chakra was still too damaged and low to anyone to notice or even sense. That was another way for them to not to notice her yet.

The idea to dye her hair was still odd. She was so used to her trademark hair that it was almost unnatural to be without it. When she turned her head to the side, or looked down, instead of seeing pink hair she sees brown, and every time it startles her for a moment. Anako, who follows her like a hawk noticed this and murmured to her, "You'll get used to it, dear."

And that's the other odd thing. She had started calling her 'dear'. Her mother used to sometimes call her 'dear' or 'honey', but hearing it from someone else's mouth was plain odd. While she was still in training under Tsunade, the older woman whom looked up to, never called her with pet names. It was always just Sakura.

But she had to admit, seeing Hinata brought a sense of longing. She wanted to return to Konoha, but it would be impossible right now. Nothing would be the same from here on out. Nothing hasn't been the same since the accepted the mission to deliver the supplies.

The small amount of chakra she has, that both keeps her alive and able to have some sense of her surrounding however seems to bring her mood down even more. She could sense the familiar chakra of Kakashi's. She could recognize that chakra anywhere and in any condition. She knows it like her own hands. It familiar and comforting but also saddening.

They haven't seen each other in a while, and truthfully speaking she doesn't have any idea how long it's been since they last saw each other. Even if Kakashi's hasn't been her teacher for two years, she still sees him as one. He's like her uncle for he has often watched her train with Tsunade, and afterwards when she's been so exhausted that she could barely even keep her eyes open, he would take her home.

Naruto and Kakashi are her second family that she will never forget. And they are another reason why she will return to Konoha after everything is settled. There's Sasuke. She needs to get back to Konoha and help Naruto bring him back. During these two years since Naruto's been gone no one has heard anything of the younger Uchiha brother.

Often during missions, Sakura had tried to gather some information about his location. Anything involving Orochimaru she has tried to dig up during those times but every time she's come up empty handed. It was frustrating because she knew that if Naruto was doing the same thing as her, he would have already found something. Unfortunately, she wasn't as lucky as Naruto.

Sighing deeply Sakura closed her eyes and tried to bring some relief to her aching muscles and head. Kuro had just barely an hour ago given her tea that should ease some pain and relax muscles but so far it wasn't doing anything. She wanted to fall back asleep, but as long as her head hurt the way it did and she couldn't use her chakra, it was only a dream so far.

The next day Kakashi, Hinata and everyone left. According to Anako, they had come knocking on the door but Anako had apologize and said that she's unable to help them. It seemed that it was a positive thing that Sasuke came concealed by the night than in full day light. Sakura felt slightly easier for she was asleep when they came. She might have even cracked the moment she heard their voices because that was how much she missed them.

Of course, Nea had started to become more interested about Sakura and who she is since she had seen the photo Hinata and Kiba had shown everyone in the village. Luckily instead of saying it straight to them that she knew of her whereabouts she had ran to Anako's and demanded to know what was going on. She looked freaked out as she glanced between Sakura and the front door that inconveniently was still open.

Ananko had rushed and locked the door right away, and pulled Nea to the living room where Sakura had been then laying on her back, observing the situation. Her heart beat had increased for the adrenaline started to pump through her body. For that split second she thought she might get exposed. That she would reveal her to them.

Like a grandmother Ananko instantly started to scold the young teenager for shoving her nose into other people's business.

"But they are looking for her!" Nea protested.

"It's her choice, and you're not going to tell anybody about her."

"But they even know her name! It's Sakura! Their team leader looked heart broken when he spoke of her." she explained with her hands and was almost going to kick a table down.

"I don't care what he looks like or how sad he is. We need to respect her," she pointed at Sakura, "decision. If she wants to stay hidden than she stays hidden."

"But-"

"No buts!"

Nea pouted and crossed her hands over her chest. She looked puffed for she wasn't a big sized girl and the winter coat she was wearing was huge. With her cheeks puffed she looked like a character from a kids' show. If Sakura hadn't been tired she would have smiled or even tried to laugh to some extent.

"Well at least we know her name." the girl grumbled and walked over to the couch and flopped on it with a loud thud. Kuro came in at that moment, "Whose name?"

Anako's head tilted to Sakura's direction.

"Hers."

Kuro's brows lifted in surprise. "What? How?"

"The Konoha shinobi in the village are looking for her." Anako said before Nea could say anything and create a bigger mess.

"Then we need to tell them about her! They can help her and even bring her home."

"No." Anako's strict voice startled even her own grandson, who almost dropped the tray he was holding. It was almost time for Sakura's meal and he had prepared some soup for her.

"Why not?"

"Because this is how she wants it, and I'm not going to even discuss this topic with the two of you. So keep your mouths shut and ignore even the slightest of temptation of telling her location, because I know it's either of you who told about her." the older woman's voice was final and she grabbed the tray from Kuro's hand, only to place it on the small table next to Sakura's cot. Kuro tried to protest of her actions but when the older lady began helping Sakura to sit up he left the room.

After that Nea had only given Sakura sad looks and moved around the room restlessly before she left to have dinner with her mother. To some extent Sakura felt bad for putting such a load on the girl's shoulders. She became one of the people who would carry Sakura's problems on her shoulders just like many others in Konoha. It just isn't right, but for now Sakura is unable to do anything.

Right now, Anako was cleaning Sakura's wounds that covered her face with a soft fabric. The cuts were healing nicely and Sakura's eye had opened up couple of inches, allowing her to see some light.

Anako had taken a small flashlight and flashed Sakura's right eye to see the eye under all the bruising and blood better, and to check if there was any vision yet. When she had asked, whether or not Sakura could see anything with it Sakura merely shook her head in denial. The only thing she could see was a brighter light but so far nothing else.

Getting annoyed and to rile herself up wasn't going to do any good to her and she knew it well. All she could do was rest and let her body recover on its own. But she is so used to healing herself and taking care of her own injuries that it was odd not to.

It was almost ten o'clock at night and another storm had begun few hours ago. Fortunately, it wasn't anything like the storm Sakura was found in but it was a storm nonetheless. Kuro had left to ask for more dressings and bandages for Sakura a couple of hours ago since they were again low on the supply. Sakura's wounds still needed to be taken care of every morning and night.

The calm atmosphere was broken when Nea barged in bringing ton of snow with her. Anako was horrified at the amount of snow in her house and was about to scold the girl, who was panting so hard that for a moment Sakura thought she might pass out, interrupted the older woman.

"He's here!"

"What?" Anako furrowed her brows and it made her face look even more wrinkled.

"T-the guy!" she pointed at the open door, "I don't know his name, but I saw him enter the village."

"You mean-" Anako spared a look in Sakura's direction and Nea nodded in excitement.

"What is he doing here?" she continued and looked lost for a moment. She glanced between Sakura and the door a couple of times and then to Nea, who was expecting something from her. And then an empty look crossed her features as if she was deep in thought. Sakura stared at the spectacle happening before her. She was curious to know who they were talking about, and the way Anako was acting it had to be the guy who saved her.

"Go find Kuro."

"Why?"

Sakura's back straightened and it caught everyone's attention.

"Is everything okay?" Anako rushed to Sakura's side and gave her a once over to see if she could spot anything with visible eye.

But Sakura's eyes had widened in shock as she took in the familiar chakra. Well not that familiar since it obviously had changed quite a bit but she's always been good at recognizing these things. And she would have definitely noticed his chakra anywhere, even though it's been a long time since she's seen him last time. Thoughts of that night flooded her mind and she gasped.

She could still recall the day as if it happened yesterday. The way her heart literally broke when she saw him as her fear became true. It wasn't something she enjoyed remembering but unfortunately she couldn't avoid it. She often dreamed of that moment, and every time it feels every bit of real as the real event. The way he calls her annoying and the way his dark eyes stare so coolly at her. And his last words... Thank you. Still to this day she hasn't been able to understand the meaning behind those words.

"Sasuke..."

"What did you say?" the older woman was visibly gawking at Sakura, who was pulled back to present from the depths of her mind.

A small crease came in between her brows. Clearly she was confused why the woman had addressed her like that.

"You said his name. You said 'Sasuke' so you must know him." she inquired, but Sakura couldn't reply. Her throat was in flames after saying just one word and she lifted her better hand around it. Immediately Anako recoiled from her prying, realizing that the poor girl couldn't answer.

"So he is called Sasuke, huh?" Nea smirked while leaning against the door frame.

"Not now, Nea." Anako grumbled and turned around to face the young teenager, "Go get Kuro, now."

"You still haven't said why?"

"I don't need to tell you everything, so do as I say."

"Always such a fussy-pants." the girl pouted and left finally closing the door. The temperature had lowered inside the house considerably and Sakura started to shiver. Her skin was so sensitive to the smallest of temperature changes. Anako immediately noticed the small gesture and she started to quickly light up the fire into the fireplace.

After struggling to light up the fire she had a trouble standing up. Sakura felt bad for the woman, who pampered her like she was her own child, and even risked her own health. If she could stand up and help her she would, but as the elderly woman stood up and brushed her tunic, all Sakura could do was give her a look of sadness.

"Ung," Anako groaned and straightened her back with a crack.

Both Sakura and Anako turned to face the hall when a knock pounded on the door.

Sakura's skin prickled as she detected Sasuke's chakra. Her heart beat picked up and she felt mike fainting. She always wanted to be at her strongest when she finally encountered Sasuke after all this time. She wanted to show him that even she can become strong like him and Naruto. Unfortunately, it was impossible right now. She can barely do the slightest of movements and can't even talk. It's still a long time before she's fully recovered and right now she can do nothing else except watch.

But what is odd is that these people know Sasuke. How do they know him and why would he come here?

Anako's hunched back disappeared in to the hall to open the door. Sakura's fingers were clutching the sheet tightly as she heard the familiar grunt of Sasuke after Anako greeted him. The old woman walked back to the living room and started cleaning the table next to Sakura's small cot.

Sakura's eyes were glued to the door way as she listened carefully Sasuke stripping himself of his cloak. What would he do when he saw her? He must know by now that she's here. Her chakra hasn't changed much at all so he had to recognize her even before he knocked on the door. Even though her chakra was almost nonexistent.

Unconsciously Sakura gripped the sheet tighter and tighter. She didn't realize she had tightened all her muscles painfully for her heart was beating so hard inside her chest that she wasn't able to be completely aware of everything. Her body started to shake and she started feeling nauseous.

A migraine slammed into her brain making her close her eyes tightly. Her head felt dizzy and before she knew it she was losing consciousness.

With his normal style Sasuke didn't greet her properly. Anako only greeted him quickly and pointed for him to leave his wet cloak on the clothing rack. After that she knew he knew what to do so she left him alone and returned to the living room.

The small table next to Sakura's cot was clustered with dirty clothes and bandages so she attacked that mess. Grabbing everything that needed to be rid of. She threw everything away and as he hovered over the trash can on near the door way while watching Sasuke place his cloak to its place she heard a thumb.

Even Sasuke stopped what he was doing looking at her with a slight tilt to his head. She didn't say anything to him and just turned around to see Sakura's slumped body on the floor. A small panic flared in her heart and she immediately dropped the dirty clothes. She sprinted as quickly as she could with her painful knees and back to the girl's side.

"S-Sakura!"

Only a minute ago she was leaning against the pillows relaxed as she followed what Anako was doing. The old woman was very careful when observing the young girl and her sad looks didn't go unnoticed. It seemed that she wasn't used to being so bedridden. The feeling oozed from her that she wanted to help Anako, but they both knew that she couldn't do anything at this moment.

But as far as Anako could tell Sakura was getting better so she didn't completely understand what caused her to fall off her bed. As Anko struggled to turn Sakura on her back she realized that the girl was unconscious. There was no way she could lift her back on the bed. Her back was already giving him trouble so even lifting an underweight girl like Sakura is purely impossible.

Looking over her shoulder she noticed Sasuke leaning on the door frame with a frown.

"Sasuke, come and help me." He didn't need any other command as he walked next to Anako and easily lifted Sakura's limp body from the ground and back to the bed. He made it look so much easier than Kuro. Of course, Sasuke was a shinobi to whom physical exertion like this was nothing. He's been through worse and nonetheless he's already carried her to the house.

Once again he laid her down softly and Anako instantly pulled the bed sheet over her. At that moment, the front door opened once again and Kuro came stumbling in. He was panting hard with a bag on his shoulder.

Sasuke nodded his head in Kuro's direction before turning back to look at Sakura. Her face was still bruised but not as swollen as it used to be. Her right eyelid was filled with scratches just like the right side of her face was. The only difference there was since he saw her last time was that there was not blood covering everything.

"I'll make some tea for us. And you must be hungry, too." Anako pointed the last sentence to Sasuke who grunted again before taking a seat on a couch near the bed. From that place he could easily observe the cot where Sakura lay unconscious. That caught her attention since normally he would sit on the opposite side of the room where you couldn't properly see the cot.

Sasuke waited silently and watched as Kuro proceeded to continue clean the eye wound and dressed it up with a new bandage. Soon all her major wounds were covered and Kuro pulled back. He placed all the stuff back into the bag and just then Anako's raspy voice called for them to dinner.

"You can take the same room as last time." Anako grumbled as she placed a pot of rice on the table.

"Oh! Sasuke-san did you know that some Konoha shinobi came here looking for her?" Kuro suddenly asked as he grabbed a spoonful of rice.

Sasuke's back stiffened before he caught himself.

"Why didn't you give her to them?" he asked. This was baffling news. Sasuke thought she would have already left with them back to Konoha.

"Kuro." Anako's voice was disapproving. "It was her choice." she said looking at Sasuke.

When Sasuke finally retreated to his room he placed his kusanagi leaning against the bed side table. Anako didn't like having weapons in her dinner table so he had to leave it to wait in the hall as they ate. It was a bother since he couldn't necessarily be affect if someone attacked him if he didn't have it with him. Of course, he could easily take care of enemies even without his kusanagi but it had become habit of having it near him.

Taking his shirt off Sasuke folded the piece and placed it on the chair near the door with the cloak from his hips and the huge belt. He didn't bother taking anything else off and just went straight to bed. But as exhausted he was which was slightly odd he couldn't fall asleep. There was a certain degree of restlessness in him and he tossed and turned in the bed.

He tried closing his eyes but nothing helped. The idea of Naruto passing by the village was startling. He could have crossed paths with the dobe so easily. However, they didn't. He could have continued his mission to brake the bonds between them. It would be a start. He still had to do something about Sakura. Things would be much easier if she had left with them. But why didn't she? Why was she still here if she had the chance to leave and have better medical care in Konoha?

Something was wrong.

Deciding against sleeping he sat up and leaned against the head board. Never has he been this restless. It was odd since normally he could sleep easily except on those nights when his nightmares fill his mind. Those are the nights he rather spends training till exhaustion over comes him. But the weather outside couldn't be any worse. He was stuck inside. He didn't even have any clue when his target was supposed to arrive so that made him even more antsy. If the weather was going to be this bad the whole time he waited, then it could slow down his training.

Sound from downstairs alerted Sasuke from his thoughts. He went completely still and waited for other sounds. Anako and Kuro had already retired to their rooms about an hour ago so they were asleep. So the only one who could be awake was Sakura. Anako is a heavy sleeper and needs more than a one bang to wake up just like Kuro. And he doubted there was a thief trying to brake in or otherwise there would be a lot more noise.

Deciding to get up since falling asleep was futile he made his way downstairs. He wasn't going to hide his presence otherwise than the normal way he walked. It was a habit to be as silent as possible and as he walked down the stairs no sound came from him.

Turning to the living room Sasuke immediately took notice of the hunch figure on the small bed and a cup on the floor. Sakura's form was trembling as she tried to fix her position so that he legs were dangling from the bed.

Sasuke didn't move a muscle to help her for it was obvious she hadn't even noticed him as of yet. She was breathing hard and heavy as she bended to pick the cup jp from the floor. Sasuke's instincts took over the next second and as Sakura started slumping from the bed he was there to catch her.

She was breathing more heavily now after making such an energy consuming move. Her thin fingers were pressing against Sasuke's biceps hard but it didn't feel like anything to the young man.

Sakura's body trembled under his arms as he began gently lifting her back on the bed. She whimpered a couple of times and Sasuke made sure not to do any fast moves so that it was as painful as possible for her. Lastly he pulled the sheet back over her before picking the mug from the floor.

She had been about to drink and now the floor was covered in water. Looking around Sasuke found a towel that he used to clean the mess. He was aware the whole time that Sakura had turned her face to look in his direction and was following him with his eyes.

He ignored it and picked the mug again. Sakura's eye was on him the whole time he walked out of the room and when he came back with filled mug.

"Why?"

Sakura's weak voice surprised him. He knew her throat was badly burned and she should be unable to speak.

"Why?" Her voice was even lower.

Sasuke was aware of what she was talking about. He wasn't sure if she knew that he was the one who had rescued her. Anako and Kuro were very strict about privacy and neither would have told about him. They knew he was a very private person.

"That's none of your business."

She swallowed hard, "You-" she started but was unable to continue because of the caughing fit that consumed her.

There was no pretending. She was weak.

"Stop worsening your situation."

"Stop commanding me."

"You're an idiot."

She glared at him as best as she could.

"Why didn't you go with the Konoha shinobi?"

She shook her head gently and closed her eyes. Sasuke glared back at her for she ignored him completely.

"Hn," he huffed annoyed and turned to retreat into his room.

That girl truly was an idiot. She could get the best help in Konoha but instead she opted to stay here. Why? If this is some secret mission to take him back to Konoha than she wouldn't succeed. He was not going back there. She can try but in her situation it was impossible. But luckily he's out of this village before she regains her strength. After that they won't meet again ever.

She was a real pain in the ass. Sasuke just wanted to shake her and make her wake up. She was not seeing how she was doing the stupidest thing. She should return to Konoha and get healed there. Not in some far away village that could barely even give her enough bandages to her wounds. An infuriating woman! For the past week when he hasn't been on the watch to see when his target is coming, she's been completely ignoring him.

She wasn't even looking his way, just staring at everything else and giving smiles at Kuro. It was getting on his nerves. He barely spoke anything while in the house and he only ate and slept there, but she could still try to acknowledge him in some way. She must be doing this on purpose. She's still as childish as she was few years back. He will not stoop to her level. He has on a mission and nothing was going to distract him.

But it was amazing in a way to watch Sakura get healed. In a matter of few days she was talking much better and didn't have any more overwhelming pain in her throat. Anako was already talking about trying to get her to walk a few steps and today was the day. Kuro was prepping himself during their breakfast while Anako catered for Sakura. They were chatting quietly in the living room so he couldn't hear what they were saying.

However even though he couldn't hear what they were saying, he could hear the tone of their speech. And Sakura was everything but calm. Her voice wavered and even the air around the house was anxious. She was still in quite a lot of pain so taking the first steps to walk was a huge thing.

And to make matters worse for Sasuke, the roads to the village were closed for the next few days. A message had come from one of the nearby villages saying that some sort of battle was going on near the border, blocking everything from moving. Which meant that the person Sasuke was after won't be here at least in the next two days. He was getting restless and antsy, but what else could he do than wait? Few hours spend on training each day was starting to get boring since it seemed that the children of the village wanted to follow him routine.

He was tired of the little kids running around him and staring him for hours on end as if they could learn something. However, none of them had even tried to approach him to ask if he could teach them anything.

"Kuro? Are you ready?" Anako's steady voice asked and in a matter of second the man was up from his chair and picking up the dirty dishes.

"Yes! I'll just clean the table first!" he answered and Sasuke took a last sip of his tea.

Kuro was like a panicking monkey. He dropped on mug two times. How can someone be so clumsy? Sasuke shook his head in annoyance and drank the last of his tea. Quietly he went to the living room to see what was about to happen. Leaning against the wall he observed Anako prepping Sakura and Sakura giving tiny glances at his way. Finally, he was at least acknowledging him.

He was getting tired of her completely ignoring him.

Finally, Kuro came and took his place other side of Sakura. Both of her upper arms were tightly in the two helpers hold and Anako counted to three. On three they hoisted gently Sakura on to her wobbly, thin feet. She had obviously lost a lot of muscle during her recovery and Sasuke felt himself biting his cheek. It bothered him.

In mere moments and after few steps Kuro was sweating like a pig. The crouched position and holding another person's weight was taking its toll on him. Sasuke wanted to punch the lights out of the guy. Such a wimp. Even Sakura seemed a little bothered, for she was glancing sideways every now and then at the panting man. Her steps began faltering even more, since she was concentrating on Kuro more than she was on trying to walk.

And what was supposed to be an easy stroll around the living room had turned out to be a disaster waiting to be happened.

The moment Sasuke saw the way Sakura other knee trembled, was the moment he was right next to them wrapping his arms around her. And in that same second her feet gave out and Kuro and Anako being too startled, forgot to hold on. Now Sasuke was the only one, alone, holding the fragile girl up and with ease nonetheless. Sakura's slim fingers were holding tightly at his shirt and she was panting hard. Even she was scared. Which he understood well. Her body was still recovering and face-planting wasn't something you wanted to do in that condition.

She was trembling all over and her head was pressed against his chest.

She was weak.

He had grown tall.

She felt to tiny compared to him. She wondered how tall Naruto was. Was he as tall as Sasuke? Did he hover over head like Sasuke did with over a foot. And did he have to make her feel so useless every single time. She couldn't even be standing if it wasn't for him. He was probably laughing at her internally, for she couldn't succeed in anything. She was still as pathetic as she used to be.

No one could see the difference. She grew up. She gained power not many can. She is the apprentice of the legendary Senju Tsunade, the fifth Hokage. She's not useless.

Her hold tightened against Sasuke and he tilted his head to look down at her. Her shoulders raised as she took a deep breath. Her shoulders stopped shaking and slowly but carefully she straightened her back. Still holding on to Sasuke, she took most of her weight on her own.

Moving her head so that she looked deeply in Sasuke eyes, she felt equal with him and the fire in her eyes startled Sasuke for a moment. The fire burning so strongly that it brought back memories of Naruto. Memories of him that he wanted to forget.

"I'm not weak."

What did you think? I'm trying to slowly progress the SasuSaku relationship. It can't be hurried otherwise it would be too weird. But we'll see some more progress soon.

Thanks for reviewing:

Meemy-Chan

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If you're interested in following me in Tumblr and want to find out how I'm progressing with my writing then find me there with the same name as JakuraAngel.

- Jakura