Hey! Yume-chan here!

Sorry I haven't updated. And sorry that this chapter is so short. I visited a school last weekend, and I've had so many end-of-semester projects going on. So this time, I won't promise when my next update will be.

However, I will continue the story. I will not abandon it. So don't loose faith! My updated will come eventually, later if not sooner.

Thanks for all of the reviews, guys, I love you! This chapter, I plan to respond to your comments. I'm sorry I haven't been doing that. But I still really appreciate the support!

Read and Review!

Love always,

Yume-chan

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Haruno Sakura?!? Sasuke thought. Aw crap, I'll never see daylight again. She'll probably pretend there's nothing wrong with me and slip me poison in my sleep. And the sad part? This isn't exaggeration. He knew Sakura really would do that.

Wow, Sasuke sure had caught onto his teammates feelings quickly, but he was taking this excessively lightly. He had broken Sakura's heart, betrayed her village, and tried to kill her best friend. She wasn't about to forgive him easily. And neither were Kakashi or Naruto.

He knew he was going to have to break down their barriers and tell their hearts he truly regretted what he did. He had to get them to realize he was their friend. For Sasuke really wanted to see everyone's smiles again. He missed them. He was sick of hell with Orochimaru day after day.

For the past 9 years, Sasuke had to listen to Orochimaru reminding him of how useless his previous team was. But even though it wasn't true, it still pained Sasuke to hear.

Sai, Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi are the best team in Konoha. Everyone has heard about their amazing ability, strength, stamina, and knowledge. Each has particular areas of expertise, and together they complete each other, creating a super team. They don't need Sasuke anymore; he's out of their league. (A/N: Not quite… hint hint)

But along with immense praise for the foursome, Sasuke also heard a lot of 'what if' rumors. Many people thought that if Sasuke had stayed, and Sai had never come along, Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke would have been able to become even stronger than the Sannin. Even more people seem to think the three of them have a bond that Sai wasn't able to recreate.

But Sasuke hadn't stayed. Instead, he had betrayed them all. And yet, they had grown strong. As strong as Sasuke himself. They, along with Sai, were the new Sanin instead. But they were still missing that bond people thought Naruto and Sakura were reserving for Sasuke.

Now he wanted them back more than ever. Not only for his benefit, but for theirs too. And he needed to get them back before Sai realized how to win over Naruto and Sakura's hearts.

They were going to put up a fight. But Sasuke was ready. He never declined a challenge.

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Sasuke groaned. Damn, these injuries hurt.

"Did you just groan?! Because your injuries hurt? Oh God! I'll call Sakura-sama right away! Where is she? She was supposed to be here 45 minutes ago!" A panicky voice shouted through the curtains around Sasuke's hospital bed.

Sasuke heard a beautiful, happy laugh.

"Daijobu, Hana-chan. I'm right here. Leave it to me. Come back in a few hours with lunch."

"Hai, Sakura-sama. Gambatte kudasai!" Hana-chan left the room, and the white curtains around Sasuke's bed were pulled back.

"So, the great Uchiha finally took a stumble. About time, you were way overdue for a mistake."

Sasuke cringed at the way she said his name. Whatever happened to 'Sasuke-kun?'

Sakura's voice was snide, mocking him. She was clearly having fun being the one in power.

"Sorry, Haruno," Sasuke said, putting emphasis on her name, "It's not my fault that your beloved Hokage drained me of almost all my chakra. And yet, it's amazing how I can work for 50 hours in just one week. I wouldn't be using that tone of voice, last time I checked you're running on full chakra."

"Oh excuse me, Uchiha. But I didn't run off with an S-Rank traitor/killer/mad ninja on the loose and kill more people than I've seen alive.

"And by the way, I wouldn't suggest continuing to talk with force like that, or you'll be dead before I decide whether or not to heal you. Save your breath for someone else, at least. I'm not interested in your tragic story." Sakura spat, her brows furrowed in anger and her face dangerously close.

It took all of her self-control not to kiss him.

And it took all of his self control not to grab her face and make-out with her right there, right now.

Why do they have to be so damn hot?!?

Sakura, however, happened to be a master at self-control, and backed away at the lust in Sasuke's eyes.

Dang it, Sakura thought, maybe I shouldn't be wearing this nurse's uniform. It's way too tight, and much too short. She noticed Sasuke was staring at her. She smiled. So, after betraying her and breaking her heart, he wants her? This was going to be more fun than she thought. She was going to enjoy toying with the Uchiha, getting payback for what he did to her nine years ago. (A/N: I just thought I'd point it out again, they're all 21! So don't go picturing teenagers flirting with each other. No, folks, this is mature adult flirting! Big difference. I wanted to make them teenagers, but I thought if I decided to put lemon in it, it would be awkward unless they were older. So, now, they're 21. Live and deal.)

The only catch? She had to prevent herself from falling in love with him. Again. This was going to be difficult. But Sakura never declined a challenge.

"Alright, Uchiha-san, let's take a look at ya." Sasuke pushed his blankets back, so Sakura could have access to his body. She unbuttoned his hospital dress, just down to his belly button.

"Sit up." He sat up. And she pulled the dress off his shoulders. His chest was completely exposed.

Sakura sucked in a breath. He had obviously been keeping up with his training. His chest was all hard muscle, no excess fat at all.

Sasuke smirked. Maybe getting Sakura back would be easier than he thought. Both of them were fired up.

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Picture someone saying this with an English accent:

Oh dear, the poor author can feel the anticipation and pressure not only from her readers but from her characters too. They're all saying the same thing.

"For god's sake woman, get them/us on top of each other and get it over with!" But no, the author feels inclined to torture you all and only give you fluff. If you want lemon or lime, you'll have to bear with the author for a few more chapters. (A/N:D) And the author just stuck her tongue out at me, the poor narrator. Feel bad for me; I have to deal with her. (A/N: ahem) Errrr… yes. Returning to the story.

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Sakura placed her small, delicate hands on Sasuke's finely toned chest and let her chakra loose into his body. It came back to her with a report of Sasuke's condition.

Much to Sasuke's disappointment, and to Sakura's too, although she wouldn't let herself believe it, she took her hands off his chest.

"You're badly injured."

"Could have told you as much." Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Even with me as your healer, it will take days to heal you entirely."

"Figures." Sakura raised an eyebrow.

"Are you questioning my ability?"

"Indirectly, perhaps."

"Well, considering your life is in my hands, I wouldn't suggest questioning it, unless, of course, you wish to die." Oh, god, she really would poison him in his sleep!

"My apologies, Haruno-sama." Sasuke mocked, bowing his head as far as it would go when he was still sitting in the bed, with a huge trademark smirk on his face.

"Whatever, I don't have time to deal with you now. Hana-chan will be back soon with lunch. Press the pink button on the side of your bed if you need me."

"Will you come right away?" Sasuke asked.

"Maybe. Half the patients in this hospital are pressing their buttons right now," Sakura said, taking out a map of the hospital that had pink blinking lights all over it, "I go to whichever patient I think would only call me in a critical situation. So, the more times a day you call me, the less likely I'll be there when you're dying. Just keep that in mind."

"What are the blue lights for?" Sasuke asked. There were almost just as many blue lights as there were pink lights.

"Those are all the nurses and doctors that are calling for my assistance. Pray that Hana-chan doesn't press her button too many times. Well, I'll be off. I'll see you later with the proper medicine and news on what medical actions I plan on making. Take care." And with that, Sakura disappeared.

Sasuke sighed. Not only had he succeeded in getting Sakura pissed off, but it seems that his Konoha headband was going to have to wait a couple of weeks.

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A Few days later

Sasuke had now been in Sakura's care for three whole days. He had had two surgeries, and been put on 12 different pills that he was instructed to take morning, noon, and night. And he had gotten some nice views of Sakura when she bended down. He was secretly glad that her position in the hospital required her to wear such a tight, revealing outfit.

However, the thing that truly amazed Sasuke the most was how respected Sakura was in the hospital. She was wanted by every nurse, doctor, and patient. Her medical skills were amazing. She could tell his condition in once glace, one look-over could tell her how bad the pain was, despite how impassive he tried to look. And every time he was in pain, it was all gone the second Sakura touched him. She was truly amazing.

But taking care of Saskue was hurting her, he could tell. Every time she looked at him, it looked like she was remembering something really painful, like a parent's death, or the day she got expelled from a school (A/N: These never happened, except for the parent's death thing. Sorry. They died. I didn't need them, so I killed them off.), or something. But he knew what she was remembering. Him. What he did to her, Konoha, Naruto, and team 7. She always seemed one nerve away from breaking out into tears, or one muscle twitch away from punching him to his death.

Yet, somehow, she had managed to go three days pretending he was nothing more than any other patient in the hospital was. She wouldn't last much longer, and when she finally did snap, it could be either his chance or his end. Funny the way life works.

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At 4:30 in the morning of Sasuke's 4th day in the hospital, Sakura came in for the first time since 11:30 the previous night. Had seen her five hours ago, but he was already missing her. Her touch, her genuine concern for his health, and her warm, green eyes that turned cold when she saw him.

And here she was, as beautiful as ever, short pink hair hanging loosely down, kept out of her eyes with her shinobi headband. It was obvious she had had another all-nighter (she had been with him the past three nights, so this was her fourth all-nighter in a row) her eyes had bags underneath them and she looked more tired than he had ever seen her.

"Do you ever go home?" Sasuke asked. Jeez, Sakura thought, he sure had a way with getting to the point.

"No, why?" So, Sasuke thought, she had been staying at the hospital the entire time? No wonder she didn't look too happy when Tsunade told her she had a month off. She probably knew she'd be at this goddamned hospital for the entire month!

"Hn." Sakura smiled internally. She was glad he was feeling good enough to give her his predictable response again. He hadn't been saying much lately.

"Sit up," Sakura said in her professional, head of hospital voice, "I'll check your body over." Saskue sat up, and Sakura pulled his shirt off. He had decided that he wanted to wear normal clothes again.

Sakura pressed her hear to his chest, listening to his heartbeat and to his breathing. Both were fast. Was that because of her?!?

Sakura looked up at Sasuke, her face inches from his.

"You're breathing and heartbeat are doing better." They stared into each other's eyes. Green met onyx in an intimate moment. A moment that was all theirs. Both of them wanted to screw their common sense and pride and admit their feelings. But that wasn't possible, and they both knew it.

But Sakura could feel her self-control slowly slipping away… Both closed their eyes and began to breathe heavily, leaning in to close the few inches of space between their faces…

"Hey, there you are Sakura, I've been looking for you. You haven't come out of the hospital in four days, so Naruto and I are dragging you out to lunch…" the two jumped apart and looked at their intruder. Sai.