Healing the Scars

Chapter four

A/N Enjoy and Review! Thanks again to all who have reviewed thus far =) By the way, I don't own Naruto or any of the characters. I would love to own Sasuke, but ya know, that's not happening.

Sakura's POV

I woke up and I was inside my house, in my bed, wrapped up in my comforter. It was pitch black outside and I didn't know exactly how I got inside. I sat up and felt a familiar chakra presence in my living room. I slowly got up out of bed and went straight there, seeing Neji and TenTen standing in my living room.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you guys, but why are you here?" I asked skeptically.

"We came looking for you, and found you asleep outside. Neji brought you in." Tenten said as she hugged me furiously. "How've you been?"

"Just peachy, thanks for asking." I mumbled.

"Tenten, get off of her, please." Neji said exasperated. Tenten let go of me and gave me this look of apology. I knew she felt bad about everything, I just didn't know how to respond. Neji seemed to be eyeing me up and down, as if I was going to die in a second.

"Neji, I'm fine. Everyone can calm down." I said. I really just wanted to be alone.

"If you don't want to see him, you don't have to right away." He assured me as he took Tenten's hand. I nodded and looked at the ground, feeling awkward.

"If it's alright with you guys I'm going to go back to bed." I said as they started to head out. "Thanks for earlier." I mentioned as they nodded and said their goodbyes, heading out. I walked straight back to bed, not wanting to wake up again.

Tsunade's POV

I hated this more than I could explain, but being the Hokage, it wasn't like I could say that out loud. I was trying my best to be stoic, but I hated that bastard for what he did to not only Sakura, but the others he had killed. He was damn lucky that Naruto was here to convince her not to kill him. The look in that boys' eyes was enough to make her take away Sasuke's punishment all together.

The council decided that Sasuke was to be sentenced to three years probation, he was allowed to keep his chakra and train, but he wasn't to leave the village. The first six months he would be under watchful ANBU eye, and he would be have bi-weekly sessions with an ANBU captain of her choice for evaluation.

She knew she would end up making Sakura that ANBU captain, because of what the Uchiha had told her. What truth could he possibly mean? She was eager to know, and she would find out from Sakura. Only Sakura would make sure his full sentence was carried out, only Sakura would punish him if he got out of line, and he would let her, knowing what he did.

The future held a lot of uncertainties, that much was for sure. She was to call Sakura to her office, along with Sasuke, Kakashi, and Naruto to discuss the terms and conditions of the punishment. He would have to stay with someone, as well. An ANBU captain, which left Sakura and Kakashi. As the group filed in, she took a large swig of sake and looked them all in the eye. Kakashi looked solemn and ready to take down Sakura or Sasuke, whichever got out of line. Naruto seemed to be trying to stand between the two, and Sakura was avoiding everyones gaze by keeping her eyes turned onto the floor.

"Uchiha Sasuke, for crimes against the village of Konoha the council and I have seen fit to give you three years of probation, the first six months constantly under watch by an ANBU captain with bi-weekly sessions with a person of ANBU status or higher to determine your progress. You may keep your chakra. Understood?" He nodded and I turned straight to Sakura. "Sakura, look at me." She looked up hesistantly and with a look of pleading, as if she knew what was coming.

"You will be the ANBU captain assigned to watch him. Keep him in line." I stated. She gave me this look, as if I had just destroyed something of hers, and by now, everyone was looking at her intently.

"Tsunade-sama, please, can't someone else do it?" She pleaded. It broke my heart, but I knew that this had to be done.

"No Sakura, I know you won't let him out of your sight. He has to stay with you for those six months, in your house."

"I don't have room for him." She was now full on glaring at me.

"Yes you do, you have two empty bedrooms with no other house guests." I knew the second I said it I was out of line, she instantly put her head down, suddenly interested in the floor. "You can finally clean out his room, now. I know you never moved his things out." I said softly to her. Her head suddenly shot up.

"He is never going to sleep in Kanagi's room, I will not allow that traitor to sleep in Kanagi's room!" She said, pointing straight at Sasuke. I sighed as she suddenly left the room, Sasuke following behind her. It was going to be a long six months.

Sasuke's POV

She didn't have to make it so freaking obvious that she didn't want me to stay with her. Tsunade was already forcing her to clean out her fiancées room for me, and she was obviously upset about that. She was storming away, as if she could break the ground under her feet with any wrong step of footing. I kept my distance but still kept up with her.

As we came into view of her house, I realized what Tsunade meant. Sakura was living in her parent's old home, probably because they left it to her. Kanagi and Sakura probably both lived there during their engagement while they were looking for a place of their own. Then it dawned on me that she hadn't cleaned out their rooms, and how horribly ironic it was that I was staying there. Under Sakura's care, of all people! She slowly and hesitantly unlocked the door and walked in, stepping aside for me to walk in. The second I was clear of the door, she slammed it.

"I don't have a room ready for you right now, but I'll try to have it ready by tonight." She said, venom evident in her voice. I nodded my head as she stomped away, but stopped outside of the second door on the right up the stairs. I peered over the staircase, not wanting to make it obvious that I was watching. She stood for a moment outside of the door, sighed, and grabbed the door knob. The knob had evidence of dust on the handle, like it hadn't been opened in awhile. She walked in hesitantly, as if something in there was going to jump out and kill her. I was curious, until I realized that this was Kanagi's room. The fiancée I'm responsible for killing.

Sakura's POV

I was in Kanagi's room, with an order to clean it out to make room for Sasuke. I looked around at the neat bed that was made, with the quilt my mother gave him for his birthday. I saw the closet with his clothing and extra kunais tucked neatly away. I saw his necklace, next to a picture of us two. I picked up the necklace and fastened it on, his mother had told me to keep it anyways. I picked up the picture of us by the lake and sat on his bed, thinking of him and how much I miss him. 'Kanagi, please help me, I don't know what I'm doing. I'm losing control without you.' I thought. I heard someone walking up the stairs and I turned sharply to find Sasuke standing in the doorway.

"You have a nice house." He said, clearing his throat.

"Thank you?" I said skeptically. I had to get used to him being here, but I was confused seeing as Uchiha Sasuke does not talk. Ever.

"I can just take the coach downstairs if you want me to." He said softly. I turned my head away, but I knew I had to clean this out. Tsunade would be mad at me if she found him on the couch.

"I have orders for you to stay in here. I'll have it cleaned out within the next couple hours." I said, trying to remain steady. Although tears were gathering in my eyes.

"I see. Well I'll be downstairs then" I nodded in response, and I could feel his eyes on me, although I tried to keep my head turned away. He lingered for a moment in the silence before walking out. I took the boxes out from the hallway and started packing away clothes and items. Each one held a memory for me, and I couldn't help but cry silently at the thought that I was finally packing Kanagi away. It had been two years, and this was the only way I had been able to keep him alive. I packed one box, and then left the room, knowing that for now that had to suffice. I had to take this slowly. I heard a knock on the door and walked past Sasuke to get it. Naruto and Kakashi stood there, greeting me.

"SAKURA-CHAN! How's it going with teme?" Naruto shouted.

"Right here, dobe." Sasuke said smiling. I could see Kakashi eyeing me expectantly.

"Tsunade sent us to see if you were…uh…cleaning out-" Kakashi hesitated.

"Kanagi's room for Sasuke? Yes. I am." I answered, although I could tell he knew I had been crying. I saw Naruto bolt up the stairs and scream down.

"OI! Sakura-chan, is this all you're going to do?" He asked, holding up the box to show Kakashi.

"No Naruto, I just needed a break." Naruto was eyeing me skeptically.

"You better not be making Sasuke sleep on the couch, Sakura-chan. You need to clean it out."

"And I am Naruto, haven't you been listening?" I asked, and I could feel tears brimming my eyes again. I didn't want to discuss this any farther.

"You're living with a tomb in the middle of your house, Sakura." I heard Kakashi bellow. I whipped around and looked at him, as if someone had just punched me. In turn, I had slapped him. Naruto and Sasuke gasped, and Kakashi's one eye was wide.

"Please leave. I have work to do." Kakashi pulled Naruto out of the door that Sasuke closed behind them, looking at me.

I went back to cleaning.