Salvation

Disclaimer; All rights to Naruto belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter Four

…..

Sakura had managed to put on a brave face, sucking in every ounce of pain in her sore limbs as she tried to walk normally into the cottage of the bridge builder, everyone was asleep at this point and she'd intercepted Kakashi not far from the cottage. He'd found her sweaty and panting, her excuse was that she'd been running laps since she finished training early, her lie was perfect and on point, she'd even jogged past Naruto and Sasuke once more so she'd have an alibi. He took it without question, though she was slightly offended that he'd offered compliment to her simply training, as though it were a great feat. She also saw a hint of concern cross through his eyes.

She assumed he thought she was mentally scarred from the experience with Zabuza. Sadly enough, she was certain she was mentally scarred, but for entirely different reasons. Her body language was that of a caged animal, but she was able to keep it under wraps for the time being. Though she wanted to applaud herself on mental strength for not screaming any time she stepped into a dark room or attacking like a cornered animal whenever someone surprised her. She was well aware that the seven years she'd spent rotting away were eventually going to resurface and gnaw at her mind, but only on her second day in, she was stable and for now, that was enough for her.

Casually slipping into her nightwear, she took time to examine herself in the mirror. She hadn't seen herself in a very, very long time and it was odd that the first sight of herself in so long would be of her younger self. She was pale and for the most part- scrawny. Her hair was long and hung past the middle of her back, which annoyed her. After her first go at the chunnin exams she'd decided she liked her hair short. Besides- she'd only grown it long in the first place to impress the Uchiha bastard.

Thoughts of him popped up in her mind and her jaw locked like a steel trap, trying her hardest not to grit her teeth she angrily searched through her kunai pouch, taking a fistfull of those long, luxurious locks she'd cherished so much and with one, perfect slice, effectively lopping them off.

She'd not been too blind with rage to swing mercilessly like the first time. Her cut was even and neat, but not too short. Her hair now hung a few inches below her shoulders. She tossed the bundle of hair into the waste basket beside the sink, feeling much better as she tossed an oversized T-shirt over her small form, slipping on a pair of black shorts too boot.

She tucked all of her clothing into a small bag and slung it over her shoulder, trying to silently escape into the hall unnoticed.

Yet, she once again came face-to-face with Sasuke Uchiha, looking surprised at her short hair. Not even wanting to look at him, she tried to step around him to get to the room at the end of the hall.

Sasuke, confused and angry at her attitude, snatched her wrist. "What's your problem with me, Sakura?" He demanded, that's right, Uchiha's never asked- they demanded.

That attitude is exactly what drove her over the edge, with skill she probably should know better than revealing, she twisted his arm behind his back, shoving him against the wall, bringing her lips to his ear, she whispered; "Never, ever, touch me again or I'll break your fucking hand." She ground out through her teeth, applying pressure to his hand for emphasis.

Before Sasuke could retaliate or do much of anything, she'd already disappeared down the hall. Leaving a practically livid and humiliated Uchiha to his own devices.

Sakura pulled her sleeping mat far from Sasuke and Naruto's, pressing her back against the far wall where she'd settled down she took a deep breath, she was tired but wouldn't rest easy until she knew everyone had fallen asleep. She couldn't sleep soundly with her own murderer awake.

She knew she'd made a mistake at lashing out at Sasuke, she was well aware that she wasn't thinking logically. That she should put her feelings aside, but after everything, she'd never once gotten a fair go at the Uchiha. He played dirty, keeping her under lock and key with chakra eating cuffs, malnourished and constantly on the brink of death yet unable to die. Was it so wrong for her to be unable to forget that?

Lying down on her back, a motion that was sore to her tender muscles, making her hiss with pain. She regulated her breathing and kept her body still. To even the most trained eye she would appear fast asleep.

She hadn't worked out a plan yet. Though she was aware the fight with Zabuza was fast approaching, less than a week away. There wasn't much she could physically do and while she remembered the fight turning out alright, she wished she could do more than stand on the sidelines.

Sasuke entered the room and it took all of her willpower not to flinch. She felt his eyes linger on her for a moment, his chakra showing his hostile mindset. Nonetheless he laid down, taking nearly an hour to fall asleep. She assumed he thought she was going to strike him in his sleep.

While the idea was appealing, she instantly ruled it out.

…...