Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto Or Any Of It's Characters.

Thanks for all the reviews. And don't freak out...yet. I know where this story is going now, and I think it will all come together nicely. So just read and enjoy :)

Chapter 15: Confusion

Thoughts/ Inner Sakura

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Sakura stood in the middle of the practice grounds, shock slowly setting in. Her mouth hung open, and little gasps of air were pulled in threw clinched teeth. A Strong hand gripped her arms tightly.

"Sakura, are you ok?" Sasuke's usually steady voice was shaky with concern. "Can you hear me?"

Sakura couldn't find her voice to answer, she simply nodded her head. Carefully, she could feel herself being lifted up and placed gently against a tree. Once safely on the ground, she placed her head between her knees and took in several deep breaths. Sasuke's voice began to blur into the background of her thoughts.

Calm down Sakura. You must have misheard him. He couldn't have said what I think he said... Married? He came back to get married. That can't be right. The cold hearted Uchiha wants to find a wife. No. I defiantly heard him wrong. I'll just ask him to repeat it.

Slowly Sakura's breathing became calmer, and the tremors that rocked her body eased to a stop. Once again Sasuke's voice began to come into focus. "Sakura? Answer me. Are you ok?"

He was squatting on the ground in front of her. She answered as she raised her head to face him. "I'm fine. I just heard you wrong thats all. Sorry."

Sasuke flinched at her answer. "Sakura, what are you talking about?"

"Could you just repeat what you said...before I started hyperventilating." She gave him a weak smile.

Sasuke leaned back so he was sitting on the ground, his face level with hers." I said I came back to Konoha to get married."

Sakura took a deep breath. She hadn't misheard. But this time she remained calm. "Well thats great. I'm sure you will find the perfect woman, perhaps a civilian wife." She managed to keep her voice from breaking at the word.

Sasuke just shook his head. "Sakura, I'm not interested in a civilian wife." He ignored her confused expression. " I need someone strong, and smart to help me rebuild my family line... I need a kinoichi."

Sakura's mouth popped open, then her expression became thoughtful. "Hmmmmm... a kinoichi?" She tapped her finger casually against her chin. "Well, Ino has been seeing this civilian guy for a little while, but I'm sure if you asked her she wouldn't refuse." She rolled her eyes at her best friends fickle behavior.

A low chuckle escaped Sasuke's lips. Sakura looked up and saw that he was actually smiling. " Thats not exactly who I had in mind."

Sakura studied his face, a little confused. "Then you're going to have a problem. Hinata is with Naruto, and they're pretty serious. And Tenten and Neji just got married. So there's really no one else in out age range." She stated in a matter of fact tone.

Sasuke just continued to smile. " I think your forgetting someone."

Sakura's brow furrowed in concentration, she replayed everyone in her mind. " Ino, Hinata, Tenten..."

Sasuke cut her off mid sentence. "And you." He leaned in, his lips just inches from hers. His warm breath raised goose bumps along her skin.

"Me?" Sakura's voice was weak. Her mind raced to place everything together.

"Of course. You're smart and strong. You're chakra control is amazing, and you're apprentice to the Hokage. I couldn't think of anyone more suited to be by my side." His voice was soft, and slightly smug.

"So it's all about stats." Sakura was regaining some of her self, but not enough to be fully angry.

Sasuke brought his hand up and began to run his fingers through her hair. "No. I will admit that those are attractive qualities to me but...you're different. You're beautiful and confident... and we know each other. All that time we spent together on squad seven made us close."

His other hand came up and cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her soft flesh. His smoldering onyx eyes burned deep into her soul. "Closer than I've ever been with someone. To me... you were always my only option."

Sakura tried to remain strong, but unwanted tears began to stream down her face. "I begged you to stay, but you left. I hurt for so long." Her delicate body trembled with repressed emotion. She had never meant to be so open with him, but sitting here locked in his intimate gaze she felt helpless.

He leaned closer and her breathing hitched. "I'm sorry Sakura. Let me make it up to you." Sasuke brought his face to hers and closed the small remaining gap.

His lips pressed gently against hers, then began to move with more force. Surprised by the sudden contact Sakura gasped. Sasuke took that as an opportunity and slid his tongue into her warm mouth. Caught up in the heat of the moment Sakura began to move her lips feverishly against his, her tongue dancing with his in perfect synchronization . She never would have imagined kissing Sasuke could be so blissful.

Sasuke moved one hand from her face and slid it down to her waist, pushing their bodies closer together. His palm continued to linger on her hip, while his fingers twisted into the fabric of her skirt.

Sakura wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her fingers fisting into Sasuke's raven locks. She forced her body closer to his, demanding more, as heat coursed through her veins.

Responding to her eagerness, Sasuke let his hand slip down her hip to caress to curve of her bottom. Sakura's heated moan filled their kiss.

Not wanting to disappoint his pink haired beauty, Sasuke traced his hand up the curve of her body and underneath the hem of her shirt. His nimble fingers devoured her silky skin, and left a blazing trail along her lower back.

So much had happened today. Sakura's mind was in a haze. Earlier there had bee so much pain, and now their was a familiar pleasure.

Pleasure...without warning Kakashi's face flashed through her mind, stunned she broke their kiss and shoved Sasuke away from her. A fresh wave of tears stung her jade eyes.

"Whats the matter?" Panting, Sasuke tilted her face up, focusing his eyes with hers. He processed her expression. Then he recognized the emotion, betrayal "Is there someone else?"

Sakura was very still. In a small voice she replied "No, there is no one." Her heart broke as she said the words. The pain was worse because it was true. The one she loved, the man she wanted to be with was just outside her reach. Forbidden.

"I have to go." In a fluid movement she was on her feet and sprinting away from the still stunned Uchiha.

In the distance an unseen figure watched.

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Once again Sakura found herself running through the streets, face streaked by tears. She shoved past people who blocked her way, oblivious to the shouts of protest.

From behind she could feel someone pursuing her. As they drew near she pushed herself harder. She was afraid to turn and see who it was. If it's Sasuke, he'll want answers that I can't give right now.

Then a hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder. It wasn't the strong firm hand she had been expecting.

"Ah, Forehead! Why are you running so fast. Are you training for a marathon or something?" Now that she had succeeded in catching her best friend, Ino stopped to catch her breath. "I heard you were back and I wanted to see how the mission went."

Ino spun Sakura around, to face her. She gasped at her red eyes and tear stained face. "Sakura! Whats wrong. Did something happen to you?"

A fresh wave of emotion flooded over her, and Sakura broke into sobs, and threw her arms around Ino.

She tried to speak, but everything came out as a mumbled mass of hysteria.

Ino patted her back in an attempt to comfort her. "There, there. Calm down. People are staring."

Sakura took a deep breath and wiped the back of her hand across her moist eyes.

"There you go." Ino pushed a stray pink lock behind Sakura's ear. "Now lets go back to my apartment and talk."

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Sakura sat on the edge of Ino's couch, sipping warm, comforting tea. She had just finished retelling her story, and now she waited for Ino's reaction. Several minutes passed, and the girls sat beside each other in silence.

"Wow." Ino's mouth hung open in shock. "Wow."

Sakura shifted uncomfortably in her seat. " Is that all you can say? I really need your advise."

A wicked smile lit up Ino's face. " How was it?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Sakura dropped her arms to her side. "Ah, Ino pig! Is that all you can think about!" While she tried to act angry, she couldn't hide the blush that colored her cheeks.

"What! It's not my fault. Kakashi's hot, and so is Sasuke." She playfully folded her arms over her chest. "Actually Sakura, I'm having trouble finding your problem."

Sakura let out a deep sigh and leaned back into the couch. "My problem is...I think I'm in love with him... And I don't know what to do."

The playful smile fell from Ino's face. " I'm sorry. So there's really nothing the two of you can do?"

Sakura shook her head. "No the law is very clear. If anyone ever found out about the relationship we shared, they would think Kakashi took advantage of his position. It wouldn't matter that I had been willing." She let her words trail off, and her shoulders slumped forward.

Ino leaned forward automatically, and patted Sakura's hand. " I know this this isn't the best timing, but what do you plan to do about Sasuke's proposal?"

Sakura shrugged. "I don't know. This is all too much, too soon."

Ino bit her bottom lip, nervous about continuing. " Look Sakura. Obviously you still have feelings for Sasuke. I mean, we both pined over him for years... and you and Kakashi can't be together, and I'm sure Kakashi wouldn't want you to sit around and become an old maid."

Sakura looked up at her best friend. "What are you saying Ino?" Sakura's voice was filled with despair.

"Just that... maybe you should give Sasuke a shot. After all, you deserve to be happy." She squeezed Sakura's hand sympathetically .

Sakura took a deep breath and gave her head a firm nod. She pushed herself off the couch and headed for the door.

Ino stood with her " Where are you going?"

Sakura turned with her hand on the door. " To talk to Kakashi."

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Oh, another cliff hanger, and after that display between Sakura and Sasuke. I wonder what Kakashi will have to say? And who could have witnessed that little display between Sasuke and Sakura? R&R