*sneaks in through the back door* Hey guys!

It's been awhile huh?

Well, I've decided to renew my work on ALL of my stories, as well as start a new one.

So, let's continue with 'Broken'

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, only the plot.

Hints: This story will get darker as well as lighter. Heheh. Enjoy the ride!

Last time: "He says he's really, really sorry. That's to quote his exact words."

She couldn't stand it anymore. Running out of the room, she started to cry. Hot tears burned down her cheeks as she went to the only place where the haunting memories couldn't follow her. She passed various houses and stores, ignored the ogling stares of onlookers. She used up some chakra as a boost to get where she wanted to be. The sun started to set as she sat down on the grass overlooking the same blue-green waters that she had stared at years ago with Sasuke by her side.

Being here was relaxing. Being here without him, saddened her even more. It was, however, a place of good memories, there by counteracting her sadness with its joys of the past. Although she was crying, a small smile made its way to her lips as she remembered other memories from a happier time. Before he started drinking. Before everything that had tarnished her soul, as well as his.

The way the light reflected on the water, sending warm rays of light through the dark veil that covered her heart. It seemed as if Mother Nature was trying to cheer her up, or at least trying to show her that there was happiness out there, to embrace the light and warmth of the sun.

Sighing, Sakura laid down on the grass, curling her body slightly. She felt so lonely, so helpless. Now that Tsunade-sama knew about her dirty laundry, she felt embarrassed. She knew that they needed help, or else this would just go on in an endless cycle. Even now, she was ashamed of herself, that despite all the Uchiha bastard had put her through, she still cared for him.

"I hate him. I hope he dies of alcohol poisoning."

"Sadly enough, you don't hate him that much."

"Why the hell are you rearing your ugly head now? Leave me alone to feel sorry for myself!"

"Feeling sorry for yourself won't get you anywhere. Lets go back to Tsunade and see what we can do. Counseling, or therapy or something."

"Why? Either way, we'd have to see Sasuke. As of now, I never want to see him or even hear his name ever again. I want him out of my life!"

Sakura started sobbing lightly

"He's always in my head! I can't ever get his voice out of my head! It's always 'You're so weak.' or the like! Even when I sleep! It makes me think of things that I shouldn't…"

"…You don't mean suicide, do you?"

"Call it what you will. It seems like an escape from this living hell that he's putting me through."

"That's quitter talk right there. I know we've been through hell several times over, but the Sakura I know would never take the easy road out! SNAP OUT OF IT!"

"That was the Sakura you knew. Past Tense. I don't think she's here anymore. Just another part that broke off somewhere along this road through hell."

"Don't talk like that. Please, it really worries me."

"…"

Sakura didn't answer herself for awhile, and although she hated her options right now, she had no choice. She didn't want to die, but it seemed so much simpler and easier then confronting Sasuke or therapy where she'd be forced to retell her stories. As of now, she didn't think she could take anymore pain.

Looking at the sky, the sun had been replaced by the full moon. In the pitch black night, only the full moon illuminated the lake. It had gone from being relaxing and bright to a black, rippling pond of darkness. Sakura stared into it, wishing that the deep chasms of the water could swallow her up whole. Standing up, she moved closer to the waters edge, allowing a pale hand to break the surface, sending ripples in all directions.

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It had been only hours since his meeting with Tsunade. Sasuke lay eagle-spread on his bed, trying to find meaning in the popcorn ceiling above him. He had alerted someone on the outside of what was going on. That was good, and bad. Good, because now someone else could help them, help Sakura. Bad, because now someone else was involved; the shame and anguish he felt had swelled in magnitude because now Tsunade knew. He guessed that Tsunade would tell Sakura that he had come in. She was probably even more pissed with him then she was before.

He knew though, that if he hadn't told someone, Sakura wouldn't have. He didn't know why she had kept his secret, even from himself. Yes, she loved him, but was she so in love with him that she would sacrifice her self, body and soul for him?

"This is killing me!!" He shouted into a pillow.

Eventually, Tsunade would call them both in, and demand that something be done. Sasuke was already trying to detox himself, although he knew that doing it alone wasn't the way to go. He had spent 6 months of doing 'things' alone, and look where that landed him: face-first in the crapper, Sakura getting the worst of it.

Rising from his king size, Sasuke walked around the house. The smell of alcohol still lingered in the house, but he fought the urge to walk to the bar down the street. He was broke anyways, too many nights out robbing his pockets of their once jingling melody.

Sighing once more, Sasuke grabbed the Yellow Book from the floor and flipped it open. It pained his pride to have to resort to this, but it was necessary. One cannot run from addiction alone, or else he stumbles and falls. However, he who has help can stand tall at the end.

Flipping through the pages, he found what he was looking for. Grabbing his phone, he dialed the number that was printed in black and white.

"Hello. Konoha's Alcoholics Anonymous. This is Izumi."

"…"

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

"-click-"

Sasuke hung up the phone, his palms sweating.

'I can't do this. I just can't!' Shaking his head, he took another deep breath.

'I have to do this for Sakura.'

Redialing, he waited for someone to answer.

"Hello. Alcoholics Anonymous. This is Izumi, how may I help you?"

"..Uh, hello. I think need help."

"Alright sir, I'll be happy to help. Have you ever been to AA before?"

"No."

"No worries. I can give you some information about meetings, and whatnot if you'd like."

Sasuke found that his throat was going dry. Coughing a bit, he replied to Izumi.

"Uh, yeah, sure."

"Alright, can I have your name?"

"…I thought this was Anonymous."

"It is, but for counseling and whatnot, we need your name to schedule things. Don't worry though, the names stay private and are never released for any reason."

"…oh. So its not completely anonymous…"

"No sir."

"That seems sorta like false advertisement doesn't it?"

"Sir, your name please? If you need help, please don't let your pride get in the way. Its alright to want help." Izumi's voice was caring and coaxing, trying to help him to go through with this.

"My name is…is…Sasuke." His tone was that of a defeated warrior who knows that he has been beat. He realized at once that this could be the start of a new life, or possibly a continuation of his old life, the one before he started drinking his demons away.

"Alright Sasuke, can I have your last name please?"

"How many freaking Sasuke's can their be in Konoha?!"

"…Its for security reasons sir. Please, last name?"

Sasuke surrendered once more and mumbled his last name.

"What was that? Could you please say that again?"

"Uchiha. Happy?" Said Uchiha deadpanned.

"Thank you sir. Someone from AA will be getting in touch with you shortly to discuss the program. I want to thank you for taking this step yourself. You'll do fine."

"Um. Alright. I guess, thanks Izumi." With that he hung up.

He had done it. He had taken the first baby steps to getting help. Maybe Sakura could see how sorry he was, how he was trying to change for the better, for her.

Interrupting his thoughts, he heard his stomach growl.

'Better go get some food.' Sasuke thought, and grabbed his keys and went out the door, feeling for like a new man.