Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, Kakashi would be permanently chained to my bed

I know you probably figured it out already, and yes...it's Sasuke. I know, we hate him, but just go with me. I have a plan, and all will be revealed in good time.

Chapter 14: Welcome back Uchiha!

Inner Sakura/Thoughts

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As the door swung open, the raven haired man turned coolly in his seat to face the visitors. Sakura remained frozen, one hand still gripping the door. She stared wide eyed at the person she thought she would never see again.

A single whisper escaped her trembling lips. "Sasuke."

The confident Uchiha smirked to himself, this will be easier than I thought.

He captured her gaze, locking onyx orbs to jade green. "Hn. Sakura, I see you haven't changed much." His accusation stung like a slap.

Sakura's mouth drew into a hard line. His statement pulled her from her temporary paralysis, and her hands began to shake with anger. She drew a deep breath , but remained silent.

Beside her Kakashi visibly stiffened. Luckily his mask hid his aggravated expression.

Sasuke cocked and eyebrow. He would have thought Sakura would be gushing all over him just like she used too. Maybe she has changed ?... I'll soon find out.

"Are you just going to stand there?" His eyes narrowed, and his voice was smug. "It's rude to ignore someone when they're speaking to you. Especially when I've been gone such a long time." He paused, and decided to push it further. His voice imitated mock hurt. " I'm starting to think you don't care about me."

That did it. Without even realizing it, Sakura's legs began to move her forward, slowly closing the gap between them.

When she was standing before him she stopped, her eyes never leaving his face.

Sasuke watched expectantly. "Now, how about a proper welcome."

For a moment Sakura stood still. Then, and impish smile lit her face. "Absolutely." Her voice was smooth and sultry. Slowly she slid forward positioning herself closer, her face just inches from his.

Sasuke could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. He grinned in triumph.

Then, Sakura jerked back her hand, and brought it down hard across his face. "Welcome back Uchiha!" She turned on her heel and fled from the room just as the first tears stung her eyes.

Kakashi coughed to cover his laugh.

Sasuke sat unmoving in his chair. He was wide eyed in amazement. The Sakura he remembered would never have acted in such a way. She has changed... No matter, it makes no difference to me.

"Well that went well." Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. "Someone should go after her."

Kakashi turned to leave the room when Tsunade called out " Not you Kakashi." She pointed a long finger at the still shocked Sasuke. "You."

The honey eyed blond gave him a knowing glare. And Sasuke shrugged, "Whatever." Then he was gone leaving Kakashi and Tsunade in silence.

Kakashi walked over to Tsunade's desk. " What was that all about?" He hadn't missed their private exchange of looks.

Tsunade sighed and began massaging her temples. "It's a long story."

Nosily, Kakashi pulled back the now unoccupied chair and sat down. " I don't have anywhere to be."

Tsunade reached under her desk and produced a bottle of sake and two glasses. She filled one and placed it in front of Kakashi before filling her own and downing it in one gulp. "Where do I begin."

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Sakura ran through the streets of Konoho, ignoring the stares from the people she passed. She wiped the back of her hand across her moist eyes.

Damn it! Why am I crying! How can one person make me so upset?

Because that one person is Sasuke

Sakura turned the corner, and found herself down an empty alley. She stopped running and pressed her back against the narrow wall, allowing her body to slide down to the ground. The pink haired beauty pulled her knees into her chest, and wrapped her arms around her legs. Slowly she closed her eyes and leaned back, resting her head against the stone wall in defeat.

Why did it have to be Sasuke?

'...'

After all this time, how does he still manage to get to me? Her anger flared as she remembered the recent incident between them.

And what was he expecting! Did he think that he could just come waltzing back after all this time, and that I would fall at his feet like some adoring fan girl!

That's what he was hoping for...

...And the worst part is... that's preciously what I wanted to do. I wanted to run to him and throw my arms around him, and tell him that I forgive him, for everything. And that I was so happy he was back.

She let out a deep breath. "How stupid can one person be? I guess he was right. I really haven't changed."

"Hn. Feeling sorry for yourself won't change anything." Sakura jumped at the sound of the unexpected voice. She had forgotten how quietly Sasuke moved. "Someones a little jumpy."

Sakura opened her eyes to glare at him. " What do you want?" She barked at him, her voice radiated with anger.

Sasuke's face turned serious. " I wanted to talk to you." Sakura's eyes slanted, and her mouth drew into a hard frown. Sasuke tried again. "It's the least you can do after you slapped me."

Sakura's hands balled into fists around her knees. She spoke through clenched teeth. " So talk."

Once again Sasuke was taken by surprise. Sakura had never behaved this way towards him before. Perfect. Tsunade was right. Sakura is just the girl I'm looking for.

A confident smile flashed across his ivory skin. He held out his hand to her. Sakura eyed his palm as if it were a snake that might bite her at any minute. Sasuke rolled his eyes at her reluctance.

"Are you just going to sit there all day? I said I wanted to talk, but I don't want to stand around in this filthy alley all day. I was hoping we could go for a walk." He leaned his hand a little closer to her.

Sighing, Sakura reached up and took his cold hand in hers. She knew she couldn't resist him. It just wasn't in her nature. Sasuke pulled her to her feet and Sakura quickly pulled her hand from his and crossed her arms over her chest. Together, they walked out of the alley and towards their old practice grounds.

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"You Want Them To Do What!" Kakashi was leaning forward anxiously in his seat. His face red with anger.

Tsunade leaned casually in her chair. "Calm down Kakashi. You'll give yourself a stroke." She poured more sake into her glass, and sipped it gingerly. " I don't see why your so upset by this."

Kakashi took a deep breath to calm himself, it didn't work. " How can I not be upset. After everything thats happened. All the pain he's put her through you want them to get married!!" He struggled to keep from yelling. " How could you even suggest that?"

Lady Tsunade continued to sip her drink, her cool demeanor still intact. "Look, it's whats best for the village."

Kakashi's eye threatened to pop out of its socket at that comment. " Explain how Sakura being involved with that... Traitor! Will help the village in any way."

The honey eyed Godaime cocked a curious eyebrow. She had never seen Kakashi loose his cool like this. She had hardly expected any sort of reaction from squad seven's former Sensei. "I've decided to forgive Sasuke, and let him return to the village."

She held up her hand to silence his oncoming protest. "Listen Kakashi. Two days ago, Sasuke walked through our village gates and surrendered himself to the watch men." She chuckled to herself. " It about gave the poor guy a heart attack. Imagine his shock when Sasuke Uchiha strolled up and asked to be taken to Hokage tower."

"He was brought to me and the two of us had a long conversation." Tsunade's voice became very quiet. "He succeeded in killing Itachi, and Orochimaru. That in it self is a service to this village."

She paused to take another drink. "Once his vendetta was fulfilled he said he no longer had any reason to remain away from the village. He has returned in hopes of re-building his clan."

Kakashi's body became ridged. "And he thought Sakura would be right for the job?"

Tsunade shook her head. " No. Sakura was my suggestion." Kakashi's face flashed with surprise .

"Out of all the available kinoichi in the village I thought Sakura would be best suited. She's strong, intelligent, and has a natural ability for chakra control. Add that with Sasuke's Kekkei Genkai, and I believe that their children would make a powerful addition to the village."

A low growl began to build within Kakashi. The same could be said about mine and Sakura's child. But he didn't dare say that aloud. I need to keep myself from that line of thinking. Sakura is not mine... Not anymore.

"And I don't need to remind you that it is important to the village to have as many powerful clans as we can. It would be a waste not to rebuild the powerful Uchiha line."

Understanding slowly began to sink in. If he had never became involved with Sakura would this really have bothered him? Probably, but not as much. He would have seen the logic behind this match up, and he would agree that it was best for the village.

However, he had become involved with her, and even though they couldn't be together, he couldn't stand for her to be with him, Sasuke Uchiha. Just his name pissed him off.

"So does Sakura get a say in all of this. Or will you just make it an order?" He couldn't hide the acid accusation in his voice.

Tsunade's careful calm began to crack. Her eye twitched in an irritated manor. " Of course she gets a choice! I would never force my student into something like this..." She began to calm down. Her expression was thoughtful.

"However, given their history, and Sakura's lack of love interest. I think it will only be a matter of time before she sees things my way." She leaned back in her chair and lazily closed her eyes. "Now leave me alone. All your arguing has made me tired." She covered a yawn. " And Kakashi, I expect your mission report to be on my desk in the morning."

Kakashi nodded once and headed for the door. He was half way out of the room when he stopped and turned to face the dozing Hokage. " When will you talk to Sakura about this?"

Tsunade responded without opening her eyes. " Sasuke is telling her as we speak."

Stiffly, Kakashi turned and slammed the door as he left.

Tsunade sleepily shook her head. What happened on that mission?

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Ok don't shoot me. This is still a Kakashi X Sakura story. But every good story has to have some drama, and who does that better than Sasuke! Well I hope you liked it. Don't be too harsh on me. 'How will Sakura react?' Find out in the next chapter. D Please Review