One Change: Chapter 7 – Apology

Another chapter written. I don't know if i really like this chapter but I thought that I better post it before I decide to rewrite the whole thing. I was literally scowling while writing Sasuke's little speech, I really dislike it.

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07: Apology

2 Days later

When she was absolutely sure that she wouldn't flip out again, Sakura decided to pay a visit to the Uchiha compound. She wasn't 100% sure of what she was going to say at that exact moment but she knew that she owed Mikoto-sama an apology and it was better to give her one sooner rather than later.

The Uchiha compound wasn't close to Iruka-sensei's house so it was a long way to walk but it gave her a while to think about what she wanted to say. She hoped that both Sasuke and Fugaku-san would be away when she visited because the younger Uchiha obviously despised her and the patriarch of the clan was scary at best.

She knew her behaviour had been unacceptable but she hoped that Mikoto-sama would accept her explanation and understand that it hadn't been her intention to insult the clan or bring her to any harm. It was stupid, she knew it was but it didn't stop her mind from making the connection between gentle, kind Mikoto and the beautiful woman that still plagued her nightmares more often than she cared to admit.

Stopping outside the large gates that signified the entrance to the Uchiha's vast compound, Sakura took a moment to really take in her surroundings. Whomever had picked the location for the compound obviously had good taste because the surrounding wildlife perfectly accented the dark browns and reds that made up the majority of the accommodation found within. When she had come with Itachi-sensei she remembered there being a lake that ran through the center, bisecting at the large oak tree that sat in the very core of the compound.

The gates were intimidating but Sakura's desire to apologize overrode her fear of the imposing structure and she pushed them aside, granting herself access to Itachi-sensei's home.

She hadn't made it three steps when a hand clamped down on her shoulder and stopped her from walking any further. Freezing momentarily at the harsh contact, Sakura had to will herself not to take defensive measures against the person whom was most probably innocent. Turning her head slowly her eyes met the narrowed eyes of none other that Uchiha Fugaku, Itachi-sensei's father. He looked angry and when his sharingan flickered into life the tense set of Sakura's shoulders became much more obvious.

The Uchiha Patriarch's mouth set into a firm line when he spoke to her, not bothering to hide the venom in his voice. "Haruno, what are you doing here?" his manner of speaking was harsh and to the point, no beating around the bush, that wasn't his style. "You are not to set foot in this compound unless you have express permission from me or one of the clan elders. It has come to my attention that you have tried to attack my wife and you will now be considered a safety risk."

Sakura's eyes widened at what he was saying, her, a safety risk? He made it sound like she had willingly tried to cause harm to Mikoto-sama. He obviously wasn't as informed about the situation as he liked to think he was. Everybody in the village knew that Uchiha Fugaku was a very proud man, his pride came before anything else in his life. Sakura was willing to bet that he cared more about his family's reputation that his wife's safety, although that may have been too harsh a judgment.

Thinking fast, she decided that just agreeing with him and leaving the compound would be the best course of action. She didn't need to give more reason than he already seemed to have, to dislike her.

"Okay Fugaku-san, I'll leave. I'm sorry to have caused you any inconvenience." Sakura bowed to the stoic man before turning on her heel and leaving the gates, the exact same way she had entered just minutes earlier.

Figuring that she still had to find some way to apologize Sakura settled on writing the Uchiha Matriarch a letter. It was a much less personal way of getting her message across but hopefully she cold still come off as sincere in scripture. Sakura hating the thought of telling anybody anything through letters because they were so impersonal. She was first informed that her father had died through a letter. She hadn't understood it at the time but she still had that letter tucked away in her nightstand.

Arriving home in record time, Sakura penned a short letter to Mikoto-sama, explaining in as little detail as possible why she had reacted the way she had and expressing her deepest apologies. Finding Itachi-sensei wasn't difficult, he was at the usual training ground, training Shin in the art of Kenjutsu. She gave him the letter and he affirmed that he would deliver it as soon as she arrived home for the evening.

That evening Sakura waited anxiously for a response although she didn't really expect one until at least morning. It turned out that she didn't have to wait long as a crow arrived at her window a little after 9 pm. The reply letter was short but it made Sakura exhale of a sigh of relief that she didn't even know she had been holding.

Sakura-chan,

Thank you for explaining everything, I'm glad that you're okay and that I didn't do anything to frighten or insult you.

I've heard what my husband did this afternoon, know that you are welcome to visit me any time that you like. It would always be a pleasure to have your company.

I hear your training is going well with Itachi-kun, keep up the hard work!

Mikoto Uchiha.

The next day Sakura decided to spend some extra time at the cenotaph seeing as she didn't have training until the day after. The cenotaph was like a second home to Sakura, it was somewhere that she could talk about all of her worries and fears without being afraid that somebody would judge her. It had been her safe haven when the children at the academy had teased when she was younger and most importantly, it was were she felt the closest to her father.

Today was no different, she arrived and set down a bouquet of lilies that she had picked from Iruka-sensei's garden on the polished marble slab that sat underneath the memorial. Then she sat with her back against the stone and buried her face in her knees. She didn't cry anymore but she liked the combination of silence and darkness that the location provided her with.

She'd been there for a little over an hour when she heard footsteps walking assuredly in her direction. Raising her head from her knees she saw somebody that she really wished wasn't there.

Less than a foot away from her stood Sasuke Uchiha.

"Oi annoying. Are you still crying about your dad? I don't now why you care, it'd your fault he's dead after all. He wouldn't have left the village on a suicide mission if he cared about you enough to want to come back to you. He's probably happier now that he doesn't have to see you everyday." The boys words were harsh but Sakura couldn't bring herself to tear her wide-eyes gaze away from the harsh young boy.

She didn't fight back against his words, instead deciding to lower her gaze. He didn't stick around, getting bored of her lack of reaction and leaving to find somebody else to torment most likely.

That night, Sakura did not leave the cenotaph, instead deciding to sleep there and think about what Sasuke had said. With Iruka being on a mission nobody noticed her absence and nobody sensed anything wrong when she turned up for training smiling and on time the next day.

The end of another chapter. Mikoto has forgiven Sakura but it seems as though she is far from on good terms with the rest of the Uchiha-clan.

Next chapter will be a mission and we'll get to finally meet Shisui and Rin!

Please leave me a review to let me know what you thought, things that be improved, things you liked or just questions pertaining to this fic.

Sei x