author's note.

Marley left maybe an hour ago with her little sister. I think that Sydney has to do some stuff to her hair and Marley has a doctor's appointment. Right now I'm home babysitting my little sister, and I'm just not feeling too good. I'm really nervous about school, I know it's so stupid. I got my schedule yesterday with Marley, as well. We went to registration and everyone was just...different. I hate it, ugh. But anyway, tomorrow is the Aly & AJ, Corbin Bleu, and Drake Bell concert that I'm going to with my mom, my dad, and my sister. Then on Friday I have my friend Vicky's sleepover, so I'll be going there. I have a lot of muse, knock on wood xD, so I'll be updating very quickly today. If Marley gets online any time soon, then I can have her talk to me about the chapters. I'm so sad, because I feel this closing and ending soon...even if we don't want it too. XD

disclaimer.

We don't own "Naruto" or any lyrics from the song "What's Left of Me" by Nick Lachey.

dedication.

To my neighbor, Evan. I know people that would kill for an imiganation like his. xD

Cause I want you

and I feel you

crawling underneath my skin

Like a hunger, like a burnin

to find a place I've never been

Now I'm broken, and I'm faded

I'm half the man I thought I would be

But you can have

what's left of me.

Sasuke wasn't a bad person. He knew he wasn't a bad person. But, he couldn't help but feel guilty. He had only gone over to Sakura's cousins' apartment once to see her and Tenshi, but that had been enough. He had liked being with Tenshi, he was a cute kid, it was a little weird to know that it was their kid, but hey. Sakura was looking beautiful as ever, even if Sasuke had been acting his usual self.

He just felt weird. All Sasuke's life, it had been about him. He had had girlfriends, and that to him equaled just mastering the calendar of when to buy gifts, knowing exactly when that particular girl wanted to 'talk' the most, and just avoiding her when she was in a state of insanity. Which usually occurred when the girl had a shortage of midol.

Now it wasn't like that, Sasuke knew. He had to worry about not only him, but Tenshi, and even Sakura. He did love Sakura, he knew he loved Sakura. There was just something about her that lit up a room. He always felt the need to see that smile that illuminated the room. She could be foolish and giggly and even annoying, but at the same time, she could be serious and intellectual. If her goal was to confuse the hell out of Sasuke and cause him to question every single aspect of his former way of living, then she was doing a damned good job at it.

Sasuke had been planning on going out to run. He was not a very athletic person all the time, especially now that he had so much loss of sleep. But, running usually cleared his mind, even if at times it was such a bother. Sasuke sighed, knowing that whoever was in this storm was insane, let alone whoever was involuntarily out there.

Sasuke peered over at the clock in the kitchen. It wasn't too late, but if he wanted to go to bed now it wouldn't be too early. Although Sasuke was exhausted, something told him to stay up. He didn't know why, or what, but he was going to. Sasuke had always been one to trust his gut. Sasuke rummaged around in the kitchen, finding a bag of unpopped popcorn.

Sasuke stripped the bag of it's plastic coating and placed it into the microwave. Once it was ready, he moved it from the bag and into a metal bowl. He gathered a glass of sprite and a few blankets and pillows and propped himself up on the couch to watch the last few minutes of "The Real World." It was such an asinine show, but Ino had gotten him totally hooked on it.

Sasuke had almost fallen out of his chair when he heard the pounding at the door. He set down the glass on the table along with the popcorn, taking a deep breath. "Alright!" Sasuke barked at the door and the mysterious visitor. "I'm coming, I'm coming."

Sasuke had never gotten into the habit of checking to see who the visitors were, and he wasn't going to follow that precaution now. Sasuke gripped the door handle, opening it. "Sakura?" He asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too." Sakura coldly replied.

Sasuke sighed, running his fingers through his damp black hair. He had just taken a shower a few hours earlier. "I'm sorry," Sasuke said, not sure why he was apologizing. Sasuke opened the door wider and coaxed Sakura in. "Are you alright?" He asked, carefully choosing his words so not to offend her again.

Sakura shook her head, but she refused to wipe the fierce look off her face. "Look, can I get you something warm to wear?" Sasuke asked. It was time to be the one calling the shots now. He carefully unzipped Sakura's sweatshirt and took Tenshi out. It was only his sixth time holding his child, and it still ceased to amaze him how beautiful he was.

Sasuke carefully took the baby and set him down on the bed, wrapping him in a couple of blankets. Sasuke grabbed a pair of blue plaid boxers and an oversized white shirt. "This is all I have." He said quietly, extending the clothing for Sakura.

She nodded in appreciation, peeling off her damp attire right in front of Sasuke. Sasuke gawked at her body for a few moments, even though he had obviously seen it before. When she was completely bare, Sasuke quietly gathered her clothing and set them down in the laundry room. When he returned, Sakura had let her hair down. Wet, pink curls framed her delicate face, and her face with flushed with embarrassment and a little bit of happiness.

"You must be tired." Sasuke quietly said. Sakura nodded, looking away from him. Sasuke opened his eyes, watching as silent tears dripped down her cheeks. What should he do? Oh god. Sasuke had never been one to help crying girls. Or mostly Ino had been the only girl that had cried in front of him, and as soon as she would basically drown him in kisses, she was better.

Sasuke's heart suddenly took place where his mind couldn't. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her as she cried into his chest. After a few minutes, Sasuke took her chin in his hand, and wiped the tears away with his finger tips. "Better?" He asked. She nodded. He led her to the bedroom, tucking both Tenshi and Sakura into his bed. It was quite a site, and if you had told him a year ago that when he said that Sakura was in his bed meant that she was there, sleeping with their son…he would've burst out laughing.

It was so funny how their relationship had changed completely. From sort of friends to…whatever they were now. Sasuke began to gather some blankets and pillows. "Where are you going?" Sakura quietly asked.

Sasuke turned around. "I'm going to give you and Tenshi some privacy and sleep outside." Sasuke explained.

Sakura shook her head, taking the sleeping baby in her arms. "Sleep with us."

Sasuke smiled softly, setting down the extra pillows and blankets and slipping under the covers. And for that moment, with Sakura laying in his arms and Tenshi's little fingers clinging to her shirt…Sasuke finally understood what it meant to be sincerely happy. To be in love.