I know many of you were annoyed at Sakura by the end of the last chapter. Enough is enough – I hear you cry. Indeed it is, I fully agree! It was pretty hard writing for a character which you disagree with but as a writer you have to see it from their perspective. Anyway things had to come to head between Sasuke and Sakura which they did last chapter. From this point will mark a new part of the story. As for other questions I was asked please read the chapter to find out the answers!

Much love to all those reviewing me!

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Wasn't the whole reason she had left the house in the first place was to move on her life and stop drinking? Despite knowing all of this Sakura still found herself drinking daily, looking at the beer bottle in her hand, she wondered if life really was worth the trouble of it all. Starting to clench her grip around a bottle to take another gulp of the bitter liquid, suddenly she was stopped by another hand.

Looking up, she was surprised to see her sensei's worried face.

How did he get in here? Sakura attempted to give some thought about it but was too drunk to care that much.

'It's enough.' He was being stern but there was softness to it.

'Kakashi-sensei.' Seeing Sakura was completely drunk, it seemed to Kakashi she said his name to just confirm his existence. Quickly Kakashi slipped his large hand over her small one to gently remove the bottle away from her grip.

'The Sakura I know doesn't do things like this.' Kakashi couldn't help but wonder what the hell she had been through to make behave in such a way. As her teacher Kakashi couldn't help but feel accountable, Sakura was his responsibility and looking at her drunken depressed face right now, obviously he had failed.

'That's the old Sakura.' Her eyes narrowed. 'But I'm not that girl anymore.'

'It isn't true. You're still the same person. I can tell.' Knowing he wasn't getting through to her, he changed tactic, 'I am your sensei, and your problems are my problems, whatever has happened I will always help you.'

'I doubt that…' Sakura bitterly sighed.

When did Sakura become so hard and cold? Who is this person sitting in front of me right now?

Sighing Kakashi grabbed Sakura and held her against his chest in a tight hug. From the look of her miserable expression, it was clear she needed some comfort even if it was something as simple as a hug. 'Stop trying to be strong Sakura. Its fine to not to be okay, you don't need to keep this act up anymore. I'm always here for you. So lean on me and I'll be your strength until you can get up on own.'

After a few minutes of gently stroking the top of her head while embracing her, Kakashi's words finally seemed to have effect. In a quiet sob she whispered against his chest 'life is so terrible Kaka-sensei. I've lost everything.'

Not responding but still softly stroking her hair, he decided it was best for Sakura to let it all out. 'I can't use chakra, so I'm completely useless as a ninja… Sasuke doesn't want me in the house anymore…My own son hates me…My parents are dead and I never got to say goodbye… I don't have anything anymore…'

'No Sakura. You've just given up the will to live.'

Two green eyes appeared from his chest staring intently at him. 'I have?'

'Yes. But if you want you can change. It won't be easy. But it's not impossible. You just have to believe in yourself.'

Believe in myself? You sound just like Naruto…

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Since that evening Kakashi had become somewhat of a therapist to Sakura, often coming over to the apartment for one excuse or another. But this new situation didn't seem strange since Kakashi always had been an older figure whose authority and wisdom she respected. In truth his company had enormous positive benefit to her and she found herself drinking less and less with time. Yesterday Kakashi had asked her to gather up all the bottles she had lying around the apartment. Now he was standing behind her in the kitchen as she was pouring the liquid down the drain.

'I'm pouring this away because I don't need it anymore.' She stated firmly while watching the golden liquid flowing down into drain. Kakashi just silently watched as words weren't needed.

After finishing emptying the bottles, Sakura had made tea for both her and Kakashi who were now sitting down on the white sofa in the living room.

'Have you thought about what you want to do?' Kakashi asked before drinking his tea. She couldn't believe he had actually shown her his face, especially after all those years she spent as genin trying to see it. Sakura was sure he had only done it to cheer her up but she didn't want to ruin the moment.

'Sakura. Tell me what you want.' Kakashi's question reminded her of Sasuke's except at that time she didn't have an answer to give him.

'I don't really know for sure… But there are definitely things I need to work on.'

Good. You've finally moved on from a state of pity to a stage where you are willing to work on things.

Kakashi was glad, Sakura had slowly started to awake from her depression, it was difficult at first since anything he ever suggested were met with 'what's the point' type of responses. But now the changes in her mannerisms and attitude were noticeable.

'I want to build my relationship with Keizo. I want to be a good mother to him. But… the truth is I don't even know how to be a mother. To me it's like Keizo just popped out of nowhere one day, my child who I know nothing about. Mother's instinct? Do I even have that?' Sakura started to frown.

'Are you saying that you don't care about Keizo?' Kakashi questioned.

'Of course I care! I would do anything for him! If I had to die for him, I would do it, a thousand times over!' She raised her voice to a point where she was almost shouting, how could he ask her a question like that?

A small smile crossed his lips. Bringing his hand down to ruffle Sakura's hair on the top of her head he said, 'And there it is, your mother's instinct. All you need is that feeling, hold onto it and you'll be a good mother.'

That Kakashi, he tricked me on purpose! But I guess, he has a point.

'Apart from being a good mother, the second most important thing for me right now is to get a job. I know there's no chance for me to become a shinobi again but I want to do something to help Konoha.'

'How do you know for sure? Have you seen a specialist?'

'Well Sasuke-' Kakashi noticed how Sakura hesitated as she said his name. 'No I haven't been to seen anyone but from my own knowledge I know it's untreatable.'

'Why not make an appointment? You don't know how much medical knowledge has advanced; they might be able to do something.' Kakashi helpfully noted.

'You're right, I'll make an appointment. It's worth a try.'

'About Sasuke, have you seen him since you've moved here?' Kakashi was determined to find out the truth of what happened between the two but he was clever enough to know asking direct questions would be pointless.

'No. I haven't seen or spoken to him since that time. I guess he is keeping his distance.' Kakashi wasn't sure what the exact emotion on Sakura's face was as she spoke about Sasuke. Smart enough to work out Sasuke had in fact been coming over to the apartment on almost a daily basis; he thought it wise not to tell Sakura about it.

But why is Sasuke being so secretive about it? What is going on here?

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'It's impossible. I'm afraid any chance of regaining use of chakra was lost years ago. The person who cut your chakra chords was an incredibly skilled surgeon, I haven't seen anything like this in all my years as a medic.'

Impossible she said… Everything I ever worked hard for… My dream…

After starting as a Genin Sakura had always dreamed of becoming a medical ninja, because she wanted to help save lives. It was as simple as that really. People said being a ninja is a dirty job full of lies, killing and eventual death. There was truth to that but being a medical ninja meant you could help those around you, so people wouldn't have to lose their precious loved ones. She remembered the exact time when Tsunade agreed to teach her medical jutsu for the first time, she was so excited she couldn't sleep that night. One of the legendary Sannin was her teacher and was a Hokage too, just top it all off. Everyone in her family was so proud of her that day, the little unknown Haruno clan was making a name for itself and it was Sakura doing it. While the training was torturous to say the least, Sakura knew the effort put in would eventually come back out.

But now that dream, the dream she had worked so very hard for was dead. Why her? Naruto got to fulfil his dream, he was the Hokage right? Even Sasuke… the traitor who left the village was now the head of ANBU. But her? Reality cruelly denied her dream.

All I wanted to do was help people…

Instinctively her mind told her to have a drink. Only one, it would make the pain seem a little less. But Sakura wouldn't listen to that voice in her head.

I don't need it. I'm stronger than that. Whatever I need to do in life, I can do it. I'll move forward…

Knock. Knock.

There's someone at the door, it's too early to be Kakashi… is it him?

Sakura froze for a bit wondering if Sasuke was by the door. Realising it was pretty stupid to pretend she wasn't in; she slightly opened the front door to see an older woman standing there. This woman probably was in her early 40's; she had both brown hair and eyes but looked extremely sad.

'You are Sakura Haruno right?'

'Yes, that's right. It's nice to meet you.' Sakura smiled at the clearly grief stricken woman.

I wonder what this lady wants… Definitely not a social call…

'My name is Mai Kigawa… I know I shouldn't be here, but… it's my son, my son has taken ill. None of the doctors know what is wrong with him. They said he has gone through every medical test available, but still they are unable to diagnose him. If the disease isn't treated soon, my child… my sweet child will…' Unable to finish her sentence, Sakura easily worked out what the missing word was. The child would die soon.

A feeling of huge guilt crashed into Sakura's stomach. In fact she felt so guilty that she couldn't look the women in her face. 'I'm sorry but you've come to the wrong place-'

The woman quickly cut into Sakura mid-sentence. 'But you're the great Tsunade-sama's apprentice. You must be a great medical ninja; I need your skill to save my son's life. Without help…' The woman finally burst into tears '…they say he will die.'

'It's true; I did train under the fifth Hokage Tsunade.' Sakura paused. 'But I'm no longer a ninja; I've lost all my ability to use chakra. I… I… I can't help you.'

Quickly Sakura closed the door before the woman could respond. Walking away Sakura could hear furious banging on the door followed with pleas of desperation. Frustrated at the lack of being able to do anything, she covered her ears with her hands.

What can I do? It's not like I chose this!

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Furiously Sakura spent the rest of the day torn between the decision to go and buy alcohol from the nearest store or to just stay in the house sober. The incident with the woman earlier in the day brought up all her past issues of not being a ninja anymore and having her dreams destroyed. More than anything Sakura wanted to help the woman's son but she had already been to the doctors and they said it was impossible.

Impossible…

With that thought Sakura heard more knocking on the door. Hopefully it was Kakashi, she could explain to him what had happened, and he would know how to deal with the situation. Walking towards the door she could clearly hear the sound of Sasuke and Keizo's voice behind the door, although Sakura couldn't hear the words. Sakura could feel the nervous tension build up in her body, they couldn't have come at a worse time! It must have been over two weeks since she had seen the two of them last.

What am I supposed to say? Hey guys, I hope you don't hate me anymore? Oh God… Oh God…

Bracing herself, Sakura remembered the times she had spent with Kakashi . Didn't she tell him that she wanted to be a good mother to Keizo? Attempting to crush any nervousness she felt, Sakura opened the front door with the biggest smile she could muster.

'Hello! It's nice to see you both.' She saw Sasuke dressed in his usual ANBU suit with little Keizo gripping onto Sasukes trouser leg material as if for support.

'Sakura.' Sasuke was his usual stoic self. He kept looking at Keizo who wouldn't look in Sakura's direction. Keizo awkwardly kept silent, almost if he refused to acknowledge her presence.

'Come in, come in.' Sakura ushered them inside the apartment with her hands. Slowly and silently they followed behind her.

'Would you like a drink? I can make some tea if you would like some?' Sakura started to feel unbearably awkward, why were they being so quiet?

'Sakura, I've brought Keizo because he has something to tell you and you should spend time with your son.' That last bit stung Sakura's heart, was he trying to say she didn't care? 'But I have urgent business to deal with. Keizo can make his own way back to the house.' With not so much as a goodbye, Sasuke was gone in the blink of an eye.

'Just me and you huh, Keizo?' Moving her hand to stroke his raven locks, Sakura couldn't hold in her sadness as Keizo turned his head away from her reach.

'Keizo.' Still he wouldn't turn around to face her.

This is more difficult than I first thought… But I'm determined to be a good mother… I won't give up!

'I know you're really angry at me right now. You probably still hate me. And you're right, because I did leave. But if you try and talk to me, maybe we can understand each other.' She crouched down to be on the same level as Keizo. Directly confronting the issue needed to be done because she desperately needed to fix the rift between her and her son.

Staring at the back of his head, Sakura said 'I've missed you very much.'

After a couple of seconds, Sakura heard Keizo mutter 'I don't hate you.'

Happy because he finally spoke to her, Sakura embraced his small little body. Keizo didn't hug back but he didn't push away either, so Sakura took this as a sign of acceptance.

'I want you to come and visit me all the time, not when your dad tells you to but when you want to.' Sakura hadn't realised how much she had missed Keizo until he was in her arms, she didn't want him to leave. Slowly she felt her top getting wet, Sakura was confused for a second until she realised it was Keizo's tears. Quickly she moved away to get a look at his face to confirm if he was crying.

'There's no need for tears.' Sakura said while gently wiping the tears off his face. 'I'm your mother and I will always love you, so don't be sad.' Seeing her son's tears really did break her heart, she felt like the worse person alive. 'I know I might not have been the best mother lately but I'm going to make it up to you, I promise.'

Knowing she was the adult in the situation, Sakura was trying her best to be the strong one. But now both of them were crying in each other's arms.

'Mummy I miss you.' Keizo wailed in between tears. 'I want mummy to come back home.'

'I know. I miss you too.' Sakura cried back.

After spending a good amount of time crying in each other's arms, Sakura and Keizo eventually ended up cuddling on the sofa together watching children's TV. Stroking his hair and kissing his forehead Sakura was so happy the rift between them had been mended. Keizo undoubtedly was the most important thing in her life.

'Daddy never lets me use the Sharingan to watch TV!' Keizo giggled. Sakura knew she probably shouldn't spoil him too much, but for now it would be okay.

They spent even more time watching TV and talking about this and that. Without obsessing about alcohol Sakura realised just how much she enjoyed spending time with her son, really she was truly happy right now, and she couldn't wipe the smile off her face.

'Why don't you and your dad come by for dinner next week?' Sakura saw the instant effect of happiness Keizo had on his face as soon as she mentioned his father.

'Me and daddy? The both of us?'

Sakura nodded her head in acknowledgment. 'Yes, the both of you.'

'I'm so happy mummy, but…' his little face turned slightly more downcast.

'But…'

'You can't cook.'

Sakura palmed herself in the face, when did Keizo start becoming this blunt? 'It's okay. I'll order us take away instead of cooking!'

'Really?' Keizo looked shocked.

'Oh yeah! Why? What's the matter with it?'

'Daddy never lets me eat takeaway. He says it's bad. But if it's you mummy I'm sure it will be okay.'

'It will?' Sakura imagined the telling off Sasuke would give Keizo about the dangers of junk food and there she was doing the exact opposite.

'Yes. Daddy is always bending the rules for mummy.'

'Oh.' Sakura wasn't sure how to respond to that.

'Because daddy loves mummy.' Keizo said in a completely straight forward way.

The way children are so honest is a bit frightening sometimes, you never know what they will say next…

'Well, it's time for you to go home now. I don't want you walking home when it gets dark.' Sakura tried to be more authoritarian but it seemed she could never really be with Keizo.

'It's okay. I'm strong enough to win against most ninja here.'

'Ah.' Sakura grimaced. Another blunt comment, this child… Oh… It's obvious where he gets it from, his father…

'Well, regardless of who you could fight with, you should go home because you don't want your mother to worry!'

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What if it was my Keizo lying in that hospital bed instead? Wouldn't I do anything possible to save him? Of course I would…

It was impossible for Sakura to sleep that night. After spending time with Keizo, Sakura couldn't stop thinking about the woman who contacted her earlier in the day. From that moment her mind was set in stone.

Even though there isn't anything I can do… I have to try… I'll go and have a look at least…

The following morning Sakura made her way to the hospital. Walking into the hospital was a strange feeling, it was very nostalgic. A couple of faces Sakura could remember were exactly the same, doing the same job in the same uniform looking practically the same as five ago. Life didn't seem so strange here. Sakura chuckled to herself recalling the amount of time she had spent in this place; it really was her second home. Nobody questioned her when she asked to see the boy and even led her directly to his bed.

'I know this is against procedure, but I would be really grateful if you could let me see the medical notes for this boy.' Sakura spoke to the doctor next to her.

The doctor smirked at Sakura 'I thought you would never ask. The wish of the discipline of Tsunade over rules any regulations here. But of course, if you are questioned about this-'

'I won't mention your name.' Sakura smiled at him. 'Thank you.'

'No Sakura, thank you. You've been sorely missed.'

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Heading straight to the library Sakura pulled out the thickest medical textbooks available. She had tried to hide the patients' notes underneath the books, so they wouldn't be seen by anyone else in the library. The truth was she panicked every time a person casually walked past her table, it was a criminal offence for her to possess those records and she had no desires to spend time in jail. Lost in the textbooks, she understood why the doctors had been unable to diagnose the boy, every single time she thought the symptoms matched a certain disease after reading more information it led to a dead end.

Feeling as if she could literally tear her hair out, the image on the boy lying on the bed with all the needles stuck in his frail little body wouldn't leave her mind. No matter what, she wouldn't quit.

'I'm sorry to disturb you miss. But we are closing in five minutes.' A small librarian had come up to Sakura from behind making her jump.

Sakura eyes had darted up to the clock on the far side of the wall it was 8:55pm.

What the hell? How did it get so late, so quickly?

Looking back down at her desk and seeing all the pages of notes she had made, it finally dawned on Sakura that she had gotten so lost in her work, time had literally just disappeared.

'I see. I would like to take these books out please.'

Quickly packing her stuff away in her bag, Sakura forgot how useful having super strength was as a medic. The text books really were crushingly heavy and she would have to carry them all the way back to the apartment.

Struggling to see over the books while walking down the high street of Konoha, she let out a small sigh as her arms finally buckled under the weight of carrying the books.

Now I'm going to have to pick them all up…. Great…

'Need some help Sakura?' Turning around she smiled as she saw the familiar figure of Kakashi.

'You don't know how glad I am to see you sensei! I've got so much to tell you!' He was picking the books up from the floor while listening to her. But she soon as finished her stomach embarrassingly made a loud rumble.

'Hungry? Let me treat you to ramen, and then you can tell me about everything.' Kakashi easily was holding all of the enormous text books with one hand.

'Sure.' The day is definitely looking up! Free ramen!

While sitting by the ramen bar eating Sakura went off in a long monologue telling Kakashi about everything; fixing her problems with Keizo and about the mystery illness of the young boy. With his elbow propped up on the table, leaning his head on the palm of his hand, Kakashi was enjoying listening to Sakura's long rant about what she thought the disease of the sick boy could be. Not having the heart to tell her that he stopped understanding exactly what she was talking about a long time ago, instead he just enjoyed watching facial expressions change from excited, happy and serious. It felt more and more as if the old Sakura was returning.

'So, I've narrowed it down to about five possibilities. But I'll have to go down to the hospital and see him first and get a second opinion. I'm still far off from getting a clear answer but I'm getting closer sensei! I can feel it!' Kakashi loved the determined look he saw in Sakura's eyes.

'Well if anyone can save the boy, I believe it's you.' He truthfully told her.

Sakura blushed furiously in response. 'Sensei! I don't know what to say.' Never had Kakashi ever complimented her before, it meant a lot.

However what both Sakura and Kakashi failed to notice was the person who had been following Sakura since she left the library. Sasuke had been seconds away from picking up the textbooks she had dropped until Kakashi got their before him. For a while Sasuke had noticed Kakashi was playing a more prominent role in Sakura's life. Since it seemed to be a good thing which led to her drinking less, Sasuke left the situation alone. But Sasuke couldn't shake off the annoyance he felt, to him Kakashi was interfering in matters in which were not his place. The person who should be comforting Sakura was him, Sasuke, not Kakashi.

But what he saw just now literally made his blood boil. Sakura was blushing at him, blushing! Did she feel romantically inclined towards him? Had he miscalculated the relationship between the two of them? He could make out the word she said next as 'sensei' but she said it in a girly cutish way. Sasuke's naturally suspicious mind led him to believe something was going on between the two of them. There wasn't any way of turning up in front of her now without looking completely suspicious. For now, at least, there wasn't anything he could do about the situation, so instead of watching more and becoming angrier he decided to leave for home.

This isn't over….

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Ooh! What a juicy ending.

I hope you think the way Sakura's character is developing is believable. I've always thought of her as a person who is needed by others and that's what makes her strong. Having things to do and Kakashi help her along is slowly breaking her out of her little depression shell.

As always, please, please, please review. It makes me soooo happy when I read your reviews.