Healing the Scars

Chapter seven

A/N I loved the response I got from the last chapter! I may add some song lyrics in between POV changes. Don't be surprised! Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Maybe Sasuke. No, wait, I don't own him anyway=(

Sasuke's POV

I walked out of that room and right back in within two seconds. I went in quietly, as to not wake her and sat in the chair next to her bed. I sighed as I sat with my head buried in my hands, contemplating what I needed to say to her.

"Sakura." I whispered. "When they found me, I had killed Orochimaru. He and Kabuto sent me on the mission to kill your family. I killed him for you Sakura, because he had controlled me up to that point. When I saw you run to Kanagi, I snapped out of it." She sighed in her sleep and turned over, facing me but obviously not awake yet.

"I'm sorry I've hurt you so much. I'm sorry I took away your family, and I'm sorry that all I can do is say I'm sorry. It's not enough." I got up and walked out of the room and decided that I was going to sleep on the couch from now on.

And I am a writer, writer of fictions. I am the heart that you call home, and I've written pages upon pages, trying to rid you from my bones.

Sakura's POV

I bolted up in bed the next morning, surprised to find myself in a bed with a dream haunting me. It seemed so real though, Sasuke whispering to me about how he was sorry. THE Sasuke Uchiha, apologizing for something. It was to good to be true, yet it seemed so real. I heard a shrill voice coming from downstairs and groaned knowing exactly who it was. I walked out of my room and downstairs, not being surprised with what I saw.

"Ino." I breathed. "What are you doing here?"

"Not happy to see me, forehead?" I said, hugging me while Sasuke glowered at her.

"Of course I'm happy to see you Ino-pig, but why are you here?" I asked,

"To help you escape! Naruto told me you had the day off, we're going shopping with the girls!" She squealed.

"Ugh I'm not in the mood today Pig. I have to watch the Uchiha anyways." I groaned.

"Shikamaru is watching him today so we can go SHOPPING!" I could feel Sasuke's inward groan at the presence of the Nara boy.

"I don't recall it being Shikamaru's responsibility for the next six months, Ino. I'm not in the mood to go shop, I look like shit and I have stuff around the house to catch up on. Please, can you call Tenten and take a rain check for me?" I was downright begging now.

"Forehead. I am coming back a week from today on your next day off and we are having some GODAMN GIRL TIME! No Buts! I'm letting you free today!" I sighed in relief at Ino's decision, and I could feel that Sasuke was equally pleased. Not that I cared. I walked her to the door as she looked mildly disappointed by my decision to stay home.

"Sakura. You cannot keep hiding from everything. You take double shifts at the hospital and you sleep on your days off. Why not come over to my place for a sleepover with the girls? We miss you." She sighed.

"Ino. I'm sorry, I've just been busy with everything." I lied. I was busy, but not to busy for my girls.

"I can tell you're lying, forehead, but I forgive you. Call me, okay? Get out of this house once in awhile." She walked away as I closed the door and turned to face Sasuke.

"Breakfast?" I asked, walking to the kitchen.

"Thanks for saving me from the Nara genius." He said.

"It wasn't for you. I didn't feel like shopping with Ino and her gossip today." I pulled out the skillets and started making eggs and tomatoes. "I have some grocery shopping to do today, ergo WE have some grocery shopping to do today. You can carry the bags." I explained and he nodded curtly.

We sat down to eat in silence. I knew I should confront him sooner or later about what had happened last night, but I just didn't feel like it. I noticed that he had slept on the couch last night, trying to be respectful of my boundaries.

"From now on the room upstairs on the right will be yours. Tsunade has taken the liberty of having some of your typical clothing sent and it's all set up for you." He nodded at me while I stared down at my food. I could tell he didn't know how to respond.

"Thank you." He said as I nodded politely back.

"If you want, we can go to the training grounds after shopping."

"hn." He replied.

"I'll take that as a yes." As I cleaned up the plates and grabbed the money necessary for the groceries and with Sasuke in tow, walked towards the marketplace. People stared at us as we walked down the street, although most gave me a polite head nod and formal greeting which I returned. They whispered to each other, and I could tell that Sasuke was uneasy with it, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

"Calm down. It's just gossip." I whispered.

"I am calm." He snapped. I glared at him.

"Don't make a scene now Uchiha, that'll just make everything worse." I mused. We approached my favorite grocer, Misaki as she came out from behind the counter to hug me.

"Sakura-chan! How have you been?" she asked, eyeing Sasuke up and down.

"I've been good Misaki-chan! How has business been?" I asked as she returned behind the counter to grab the usual supplies I needed.

"Nothing to complain about, the harvest has been bountiful this year!" She exclaimed. I smiled appreciatively as she started adding up my total.

"Oh! I almost forgot. Some extra tomatoes this time please." I asked. I could feel Sasuke eyeing me as I turned to face him. "Stop drilling holes in my back, I know they're your favorite." He smirked. I thanked Misaki and paid as we walked out to continue shopping.

We headed to different stands, still with the usual gossip about how the Sasuke Uchiha had returned against his will home. How I was forced to house him despite the irony. I cringed at some of the things they said, not because I was upset, but because of how true it was. The whole situation was just plain ironic, and it was uncomfortable and awkward for both of us. For another six months this would go on, and I didn't know if I could handle it. With Itachi still alive, I assumed he would leave as soon as possible. I didn't know whether or not I would try to stop him or not.

We approached the herb stand as Sasuke carried the other bags from other vendors. The vendor, Kana, was an older woman with a kind face who sold medicinal herbs for tea and other properties.

"Ohayo Kana-san!" I greeted her.

"Ohayo Sakura-san! How're things at the hospital?" She asked.

"Right now things are running smoothly, thanks for asking. I'll have the usual please."

"I do hope these are helping, dear. Come back anytime! The kids ask about you all the time."

"Thank you Kana-san! Tell the children I said hello and I'll come by and see them at the academy soon. You must be very proud of them." I smiled. Her face was beaming with pride.

"Yes, I always am! Have a nice day Sakura-san." I waved goodbye to her and clutched the herb bag tightly to my chest as Sasuke eyed it.

"What are those for?" He asked curiously.

"They're medicinal herbs for reducing stress." I replied.

"And who are they for?" He asked.

"Me." I replied quietly. He whipped his head around and looked at me like I had just slapped someone. "What? You put them in tea. It helps me sleep. Stop looking at me like that!" I yelped.

"I didn't think you were that stressed out. Things at the hospital aren't fine, are they?" He added.

"Stop prying. It's annoying." I said in a very Sasuke-like fashion.

"Hn." He replied. Classic Sasuke. We got back to the house and I knew I had to ask him about last night, I just had to.

"Sasuke. Last night. Did you?"

"What did you hear?" he asked. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

A/N- Enough of a cliffhanger for the next chapter? REVIEW PLEASE!