Sprouting Wings

.

Chapter VI

.

Revelation

Sakura opened the screen door, slowly stepping into the dimly-lit room and poured warm water into the basin. She soaked the towel, squeezing out the excess water and proceeded to sit on the edge of Sasuke's bed.

The prince's face was contorted with pain, chest rising and falling with each breath. The white shirt he was wearing is already soaked with sweat, and Sakura noticed with a heavy heart how flushed his face looked.

Crystal tears rolled down her cheeks and she quickly wiped them away with the sleeve of her kimono before remembering what she came here to do. She clutched the towel with a shaking hand, and gently brushed away the moisture on Sasuke's face.

He had remained unconscious ever since he shielded her from the bomb…and Sakura could not stand it. She could not stand the guilt eating her alive, could not stand the fact that he was lying here in a coma because of her foolishness.

Sakura leaned forward and rested her head on his chest. She could feel the soft and uneven pounding of his heart mixed in with her own heart pounding and the world seemed to fade around her. Sakura allowed herself to forget her worries, how much she despised herself, Naruto…

She wanted to seek the comfort that Sasuke always gave her, even in this state.

.

.

.

When Sakura woke up, the sky was pitch dark.

She lifted her head and made a motion to stand up when her eyes fell on their intertwined hands. Somehow, over the course of the night Sasuke's hand had found hers, and refused to let go. She carefully slid her hand out of his, when his grip tightened.

"Stay, Sakura."

Her eyes widened at the sound of his voice, and when she met his gaze, a pretty blush appeared on her face. There was a weary expression on his face, and he winced every time he breathed, although it was almost unnoticeable with how well he hid it.

There again, was that expression in his eyes Sakura saw last time. The one that held love and affection for her. She broke their eye contact by staring down at their hands again, and blushed harder.

"No, I can't I—"

"Sakura, don't leave, please."

She tried to pull away, but the way he said her name, almost begging…all he asked of her was to stay by his side after all, she is his wife.

"S-Sasuke-kun…" She couldn't hold in her sobs any longer, and hot tears spilled out. Sasuke wrapped one arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into his touch. There was so much she wanted to say to him, starting from how sorry she was that she nearly got him killed. But she could not bring herself to speak. So Sakura laid her head on Sasuke's shoulder, seeking the comfort she so desperately needed—although he was the one injured.

Sakura buried her face in the crook of his neck, and slept through the night with Sasuke watching over her.

.

.

"Do you think, if you never met him, you would've loved me?"

.

.

After one month, Sasuke started training with the samurai elites again. Although she deeply disapproved of this, nothing she said could convince Sasuke to rest until his body fully recovered.

"Why would I need to, considering I have you to treat my wounds?" He would always say in a teasing manner.

Sakura tried her hardest to ignore him, because deep down in her heart a part of her still hated him. Sakura hated how with his simple gestures of affection could make her heart beat faster. She hated how his presence was always on her mind, but she hated herself more.

She hated herself for not being able to resist his charms, because after all she loved Naruto.

When the blonde once again entered her mind, she bit her lip as tears pooled in her eyes. Sakura felt so guilty thinking about him when Sasuke nearly died protecting her, but she can't stop worrying if the Akatsuki already killed Naruto.

The last time Sakura saw him, he was beaten and dying. Sakura felt torn; because of what Sasuke did for her, she felt obliged if only out of guilt to stop treating him so badly.

Sakura walked out the garden, and to her surprise, somehow stumbled onto the samurai's training ground. Her eyes scanned the field, searching for Sasuke and finally found him far to the left sparring with Neji. They both exhibited flawless, carefully calculated moves and appeared

However, Sakura noticed how Sasuke's strikes seemed to be lagging and weaker than before.

When Sasuke brought his leg up to land a kick to Neji's chest, he looked up and caught her eyes. They stared at each other and Sakura could feel heat spreading across her face when Neji used the momentary distraction to grab Sasuke's ankle, flipping him over.

Sasuke landed in a crouched position, breathing heavily, and charged again. This time he blocked Neji's blows and pinned him down. The Hyuuga couldn't help smirking at the prince's antics as he looked towards the elegant rose haired woman Sasuke was currently walking over towards.

Sasuke gave her an arrogant smirk as he bent down to kiss her cheek. Sakura stiffened at this, but did not resist, bracing herself for the contact. But he paused sensing her nervousness and asked her instead, "Are you cold? It's getting cooler out here."

She shook her head slowly when she noticed him clutch his side.

"Sasuke-kun, are you hurt? She forced him to remove his hand and quickly engulfed the area where the fractured rib was with her healing chakra. Sasuke watched her, a small smile on his lips, and relaxed under her soothing touch.

She lifted her head when the footsteps of a messenger could be heard running towards Sasuke. He stopped to catch his breath before talking in a rush,

"Uchiha-sama, your presence is required in the meeting! A spy of the great sannin Jiraiya is here."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the servant for interrupting them, and quickly whispered, "We'll talk later," before going back to the palace.

Sakura's eyes followed him, not realizing she was staring until Neji walked behind her and emitted a deep chuckle.

"I'm glad you're finally opening up to him."

Sakura was rendered speechless at his words.

"W-What?"

Neji smiled softly, as if knowing something she doesn't. "I can't remember how many times Sasuke purposely let me injure him just so he can go running to you to heal it."

"Sasuke, he—"

"He was still foolish, for taking a woman of no status as a wife. I still disapprove of his decision, but he does love you. That much is obvious."

It's not love. How can a person so selfish and cruel be able to love me?

"And you return his feelings, Sakura-san."

Sakura did not know what to say, was it true she loved Sasuke? That she held feelings for him? She refused to think about this because he stole her, took her away from Naruto.

"If you still doubt me, ask yourself, why would Sasuke get himself almost killed taking that bomb for you?"

.

.

.

"I-I brewed some herbal tea, Sasuke-kun. It's should help your body recover faster." Sakura was standing awkwardly in the doorway holding the tray while casting her eyes down on the ground, a deep blush on her face.

Sasuke was changing out of his formal robes into more simple attire when Sakura walked in. Sakura hurriedly set the tray on the table and turned to leave when Sasuke stopped her.

"Sakura, I'm sorry."

His obsidian eyes stared into her deep emerald ones and Sakura felt herself drowning.

"Please don't do this, Sasuke-kun."

"Listen to me," he clenched his jaw. "I know I hurt you and you hate me."

"I don't hate you," Sakura mumbled. She looked away from his questioning gaze. "You should drink the tea before it gets cold—"

But she never got to finish because Sasuke cupped her cheek and tilted her chin up towards him. Sasuke bent down and met her soft lips with his. He kissed her with a sense of urgency; as if afraid she'll slip away from him. It made her feel everything he's been trying so hard to hold back and it overwhelmed her.

His kiss held the deep longing he had for her and the desperation in his voice when he whispered her name was evident. He made her unable to think, unable to sort out her feelings for him because right now they were so tangled.

She finally responded to the kiss, and tears trickled down her cheeks. Alarmed, Sasuke quickly pulled back, and she opened her sorrowful eyes with a bittersweet smile on her face.

Sasuke stared at the lovely yet broken girl before her and he cursed himself for making her this way. "Tell me Sakura, what I need to do to fix this?"

Sakura shook her head and leaned upwards, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips.

"Nothing, Sasuke-kun. You've done enough."

She still doesn't know what her feelings for the prince is, but one thing she could not deny is she had fallen deeply in love with him.

But she could still hear cheerful laughter, and see Naruto's sparkling cerulean eyes staring back at her, the remorse eating away at her heart slowly.

.

.

.

Sasuke tried to appear emotionless as he walked into the meeting room. Several pairs of eyes were quickly trained on him watching him every move as he took his seat.

"Where's this spy—"

Sasuke widened his eyes and didn't bother masking the look of shock on his face when a voice he never thought he would hear again spoke—

"Hello little brother, I see you're still as foolish as ever.

-xxx-

(A.N.)- Just wanted to thank rescue for doing such an awesome job on editing this and making it flow so much more nicely! Without her you guys would probably be stuck with my limited vocabulary.

Thanks for all the reviews, and leave me your thoughts! Don't fav/alert without reviewing!

-Aurora