Woah... It feels so weird, getting back into this. Guys, I must apologise. I'm about as motivated as a slug. I only actually got this chapter and the next one done. But! I won't be putting it on hold :D Instead, I'll just be updating whenever I get the next chapter done. I find that I write more that way :/ But school's back now, and because the last year is mean, I won't find a lot of time to write. I promise that I won't leave you waiting for months on end, though! Promise, promise, promise! Maybe a month, no more! Please forgive me *bows head in shame* Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this chapter, and that it was worth it. It feels very rushed to me :/

Now, thank you so much to all of you beautiful people who reviewed, you make writing this worth it, you really do :)

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Dedication: I really can't ignore this, and must dedicate this chapter to Aya Akumi. Your review had me jumping up and down like a smiling kangaroo. You are beautiful :D Thank you so much ^_^

Disclaimer: Me no own Naruto ^_^

Chapter 12

.:{*}:.

Barbs

July 1st

Sasuke has been treating me differently. I mean, not in a bad way, but he has been giving me my space. Of a morning, he will take me to the gardens, where I will stay by myself, until such time as he deigns to return. In the garden, I am left to my own devices, so I can prepare the herbs necessary for my contraceptive, and watch the koi fish play in the pool. Sometimes, I get the chance to talk to Naruto. I have yet to speak to Karin again, and Tenten often comes out to visit me. Tenten and I have become a lot closer in the past couple of days. Her mother has recovered, so at least the money she received did not go to waste. She has no other family, and it would be horrible for her to be left alone.

I am not allowed to go back to my room; hence I am still with Sasuke. He has been far sweeter since our last argument. It's like he's a completely different person. The way he speaks to me is different; as if one wrong word and I'll be gone forever. When he holds me, it's as if I'm porcelain, and I will shatter should he either hold me too tight or let me go. Even the way we have sex is different! He always caresses me, kisses me, whispers sweet words in my ear… I don't quite know what to think of it, and it's all a bit overwhelming. Is he just trying give me a reason to stay with him, instead of going to Gaara? Does he believe that he can convince me to give up Hinata's location if he uses sweet words instead of demanding it? He should know by now that no such thing will happen.

"Sakura. Sakura, wake up." Viridian orbs fluttered open, only to be immediately captured by obsidian ones. "I am going to train today. You need to get up so I can take you to the garden."

The girl nodded and yawned, before stretching, cat like, under the covers. She relished the way that the coverlets tickled her skin, and was half tempted to fall back asleep. Sasuke, however, had other ideas as he placed a trail of kisses over her shoulder and down her back.

"Time to get up, Sakura."

Amidst her smirk, Sakura growled in agitation, and swung a pillow back at him. "Later," she protested, and snuggled further into the soft doona. How could he think of getting her up at such a time? It couldn't have been long past dawn, and already he seemed wide awake. 'Damned Uchiha's and their inability to be imperfect,' she cursed inwardly.

Sasuke, however, was persistent, and within a half hour, Sakura was up and dressed, scowling at the midnight-haired male as he led her through the hallways.

"Sasuke, why did you get me up so early? The sun is still rising outside," Sakura yawned, whilst trying desperately to rub the sleep from her eyes. "Surely it isn't necessary to start training so early?"

Sasuke responded by putting his hand in the small of her back and continuing to guide her towards the gardens. "I've been neglecting my training, thus my capability has fallen. I need to get back into shape."

No more words were exchanged until they got to the garden, and Sasuke turned to Sakura to take his leave.

"I'll come for you this afternoon. Don't leave these gardens in the meantime," he ordered lightly, before placing a kiss against the pulse in her neck, lingering a moment longer so as to make the gesture more than it would have otherwise been, and left her.

Sakura stared after him until he rounded a corner in the halls. It was a practise she had exercised since Sasuke had first started bringing her to the gardens, and would stay until such a time as the routine ended. Every time, a longing would appear in her heart to disobey, to roam the halls, free as a spirit. But the fear of running into Orochimaru was strong, and she quelled such desires under it. Instead, she turned, and made her way towards her old room.

It was much the same as she had always known it to be, except it stood barer. The bed was made, the bath unused, no soiled clothing dotted the expanse. 'Twas like a room in an ill-used inn: Barely used, but always waiting until such a time as it was needed. Sakura used the room to get new clothing and to get her contraceptive, which she kept in the little drawer near her bed. The small ball of herbs was barely larger than a marble, and let off a faint pungent smell. It had a slightly bitter edge to the taste, and was best taken with a dash of honey. But sweetener or no, it did the job.

It was as her face was scrunched up with the aftertaste, that Gaara slipped silently into the room, unnoticed by the roseate.

"Sakura," he purred softly, and the girl jumped slightly as his voice drifted over to her.

"Gaara, you scared me," she admonished, a faint hint of humour underlying her tone. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to see you. Is that a crime?" he queried, and she shook her head. After all, it was not a crime. He was allowed to see her, should he so desire to. "Will you walk with me?"

He took her left hand in his, and she quickly snatched it back. "I'd rather it if you didn't take that hand, Gaara San," she said with a stern look. Since her encounter with Orochimaru, she had become more aware of certain triggers that set her off. It was as if the chance meeting had awoken memories within her. Ones she'd buried under layers of nothingness, so that she didn't have to remember the pain. She could just simply forget. If she tried to remember her time in the cells, there was a dull haze, with the slight jab of pain, screams and questions. There was time passing, slower than it should have, and there was Sasuke's voice. That was it. Seeing Orochimaru, having his hand on her skin, his voice in her ear, had awoken some of the terror she remembered feeling. Especially when he had touched her left hand. When anyone touched her left hand, it was as if it had been suddenly thrust into freezing fire. There was the remembrance of extreme pain happening to it, although what exactly was done to it, she wasn't quite sure.

He smiled at her, and placed his hand on her lower back, before guiding her from the room and into the gardens.

"You have been thinking more on my offer, I trust?" He asked, and she nodded.

"'Tis quite an offer you make, and leaves me in great indecision."

"I do not see why it should." She looked at him sharply, and his eyes were fixed firmly on the ground. "There is nothing for you here, Sakura. Surely you realise that? If you do not give Hinata's location, then you shall be tortured. But if you do give it, do you truly think that they would let you go? You already know a great deal about Otogakure. They would keep you here, lest you spill their secrets to your people."

Sakura gaped at him, her shocked expression not being able to hide the knowing truth of his words. "There is much to be contemplated," she finally managed to utter, averting her own eyes. "There are other factors, ones which you are unaware of."

They stopped walking, and Gaara stared at her firmly. "I wish for you to give me your word, Sakura, that when I get the okay from Itachi, you will agree to marry me."

Sasuke stepped onto the training field, katana held loosely, shirt off. His formerly red headed sparring partner stood ten metres opposite him, a long sword held firmly in front of him. The dye had grown out, and the young man held a mop of sunshine blond hair. After a while, Sasuke had learned that his name was Naruto, and he was apparently the only person - apart from Itachi and Orochimaru - who posed half a challenge for the young Uchiha.

"You going to attack or what?" Naruto yelled to the raven haired man. His only reply was a smirk, and the blond growled in frustration. Sasuke had found that Naruto's weakness was his quick temper, which he couldn't keep under control. He was rash, and rushed headlong into a fight without thinking through anything. There was no plan to his attacks, just raw instinct. That was possibly what made him a good sparring partner. You couldn't predict his moves, and therefore had to act accordingly. It was an interesting way to learn.

Barely a few seconds had passed since the words left Naruto's mouth, and already he was charging at Sasuke, a roar of frustration releasing itself from his mouth. Steel bit into steel as the two swords hit each other, Sasuke being put immediately on the defence. It didn't take a genius to work out that Naruto was extremely annoyed that morning, and Sasuke's curiosity got the better of him.

"What's up with you?" he questioned, and ducked to avoid Naruto's blade.

"None of your damn business, teme," Naruto bit back through clenched teeth.

"Bullshit. You're acting like a constipated virgin." One thing that Sasuke liked about Naruto was that he was brutally honest. He told you what he thought of you, and didn't go through any pains to hide it. But in saying that, Sasuke couldn't think of a single one of his men who disliked the blond. He had some sort of aura about him that radiated friendship and reassurance.

"Shut the fuck up, teme. If I was either, I wouldn't be here fighting you." He lunged at Sasuke, and said man quickly side-stepped him, sending Naruto tripping into the dirt.

"Could've fooled me," he retaliated, waiting for Naruto to right himself. "Normally, I wouldn't care. But you're distracted, and that's resulting in a poor spar. Sakura could do better than you, and I doubt that she's ever wielded so much as a knife."

Sasuke saw Naruto's shoulders tense at the mention of Sakura's name, and he was immediately on alert. "What do you know about Sakura?"

Naruto shrugged, and took up another fighting stance. "This and that. Why?"

It was Sasuke who made the first move that time. "You reacted like you know her. What I want to know is how."

Sweat was dripping down Naruto's brow with exertion as he held back Sasuke's sword. "I know of her, teme."

"Sure," Sasuke scoffed, and swung his sword back around. "Have you fucked her?" The question seemed nonchalant, but Sasuke's stomach was squirming in anticipation of Naruto's answer. The blond better not have touched the roseate, lest he wanted his head on a platter.

"You're sick, teme. I haven't even kissed her hand, let alone fucked her."

Their swords clashed again, and Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Make sure it stays that way, Naruto." With that, he sheathed his katana and walked off the field, leaving Naruto staring after him.

Huffing in aggravation, Naruto sheathed his own sword, and glared after Sasuke. Just who did he think he was? Questioning him about things, as if he had a right to know. He didn't.

Slowly, Naruto walked off the field and made his way back to his room. In truth, Naruto was angry because he couldn't find a single place where he and Sakura could safely escape, without either taking the front doors (which would be suicide) or alerting the guards. There didn't seem to be any blind spots, no secret doors, no nothing. On top of that, he'd heard no word from Neji. None at all. He didn't know if anyone was safe. If anyone was alright. He'd heard nothing about Hinata… How he missed Hinata. They'd met by chance, with the unknowing help of Sakura and Neji. Naruto and Sakura had grown up together, been friends since they were children. Minato had been the general of the Hyuuga's army, before Neji. Katashi and Minato had been close friends, and so it was only natural that Naruto and Sakura would have grown close as well.

Naruto's father had died during the war, and so Neji had risen to General, as well has being Hinata's personal bodyguard. Due to the war, Naruto had hardly seen Sakura. It was when Neji had asked Naruto to deliver a message to Sakura that Naruto had met Hinata. Sakura had to see to a battalion that had come back injured, and Sakura had begged Naruto to look after Hinata whilst she was gone. Within a few minutes, Naruto had been captivated by the shy, demur young girl. Within a few hours, his existence revolved around hearing her laugh. Their union would be scorned, never allowed. Someone of Hinata's status had to wed a prince, a duke, someone of high status with blue blood. Apparently, at one stage, there had been plans to marry her to a prince, but that had fallen through. No one knew anything more than that. Naruto's father had been a general, and that was his only birth right. But Hinata returned his feelings, and so he didn't care. Naruto was Neji's right hand man. He was the one who was given the task of getting Sakura back. Maybe, just maybe, if he could get a high enough ranking, he could be with Hinata. Maybe.

He made it back to his room and flopped down onto his bed. There was so much to think about. So much to consider. He had to wait until word came from Neji. The message would tell him their position, whether it was safe to take Sakura back to Konoha… It would give him orders, and Naruto needed orders. He needed a hint. A guide. A sign. That fucking teme was doing nothing to help. And Gaara! What was Naruto to do about him? Neji's orders had left no room for interpretation: "Bring Sakura back. Do whatever it takes. But you cannot come home unless she is with you." If Sakura accepted Gaara's proposal, then Naruto could never return home. If Sakura did not accept then she had to stay with Sasuke. If she stayed in Otogakure then she would be killed in December. But Naruto couldn't find anywhere for them to escape! He'd searched everywhere. Everywhere but…

Ah… There was one place that Naruto hadn't thought to look. He'd been searching the castle, for hidden doors or sliding walls, but there was one place in the castle that had a fence. And there was still plenty of time for Naruto to scope it out.

Naruto grinned. Maybe there was hope after all.

Sakura stared, wide eyed, at Gaara. "I… I…" she stuttered, not knowing how to respond. How could she promise something like that?

"I don't want you to share the Prince's bed anymore, Sakura. Do me that one favour, if nothing else."

Why was it so hard to agree to that as well? It should have been easy. It should have been so easy.

"I… I…" Why was it so hard to find the words?

"Surely you don't wish to stay there? The Prince's concubine. I know that that is not the sort of name you want for yourself. Indeed, you are far too good for a title such as that. I don't blame him for wanting to keep you with him, but you hold no relationship with him. As the woman I wish to wed, I do not want you in his bed, and I do not want you to possess such a name. If it were up to me, I would have you in my bed as soon as tonight. I would take you back to Suna, I would wed you, and I would hold you for the rest of my time this instant, if it was up to me. But I have to wait for Itachi's permission before I can do such a thing."

They came to the bench in front of the pond, and sat.

"H… How would I tell him? How could I say to him, 'Sasuke, I do not wish to share your bed anymore?' How?"

The red head raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "Exactly like that. Tell him that there is all the likelihood that you shall marry me, and I, being your future fiancé, do not wish for you to share his bed anymore."

She shrugged his hand away, and looked, dejected, at the ground. "I have not agreed to anything, Gaara San," she said, and quickly looked up at the sound of footsteps. "Sasuke," she exclaimed in surprise, and rose to greet him.

Black eyes glared at Gaara, and said man carefully ignored them "Prince," he greeted, with a nod of his head. Sasuke quickly snatched the roseate into his arms, and held her in a vice like grip.

"She stays with me, Sabaku no Gaara. Nothing has been decided yet, and until such a time, she stays with me."

The edge of Gaara's lip lifted in what could be seen as a smirk. "'Yet,' can be open to interpretation, Prince. Either she marries me or she dies. 'Tis that simple, and there is no other option. You could hardly marry her yourself. You, marry your own prisoner! What would the people think?"

"You act like I care," Sasuke spat, and clutched the girl closer.

"You should care," Gaara hissed, clenching his hands. "You know what your people say about her. If you truly gave a damn about her, then you would stop your selfish acts. Let me take her back to Suna. Let me give her happiness and a life. Staying here with you will only bring her pain and, eventually, death. You know that -"

"Would you stop speaking about me as if I'm not here!" Sakura cried, and struggled out of Sasuke's grip. "I am not an object. I am not a possession. I am a human being, who has perfectly good hearing, mind you! Stop discussion me like I'm some horse whom you're haggling the price over." With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off, leaving the two men staring after her.

"Quick temper, that one," Gaara observed.

"You don't know the half of it," Sasuke agreed. "Gaara," he called, as the red headed man started to walk away. "Leave her alone. Give her up. She is mine, and I will not let you have her."

Gaara shook his head. "As long as I draw breath, I will not give her up."

.:{*}:.

She came to rest at the fountain, and sat there, fuming. Oh the nerve of them! How dare they act as if she was something to be bartered for? As if she was some object, and her opinion didn't matter. She was sick to death of all the seriousness. She hadn't spoken to Naruto or Karin or Tenten in days, and those were the only three people she knew who could really make her laugh. What she would give to see one of them again.

As if her thoughts had been personified, footsteps were heard, and Karin meandered along the path, a letter in her hand.

"Karin!" Sakura called, and ran up to her friend. Karin stopped dead in her tracks, and hastily hid the letter in the folds of her dress. "I haven't seen you in months! How have you been?" A grin spread on her face as she stopped in front of the red head.

"Sakura." Her voice was a monotonous acknowledgement; no welcome in it, yet no hatred either. "I see that you survived the dungeons?"

"You know of that?" Sakura did not miss Karin's tone, but decided to think nothing of it. For all she knew, Karin could have been tired.

"I doubt that there is a soul in the whole of the Palace who doesn't know of your rescue. Having Sasuke carry you out in the condition that you were in… News travels fast of such things. News, and a large amount of jealousy. Surely you've heard the rumours?" There was a look in Karin's eyes that Sakura couldn't decipher.

"I have, unfortunately." A blush tinted her cheeks. "Such foolish gossip. Surely you don't believe it?"

"Of course not," said Karin quickly. "They spread such stupid lies. One would think that they had no imagination, save that which they use in the bedchamber." And there was the sick sense of humour that Sakura knew so well. "But," Sakura's heart dropped a little at that word, "one starts to accept their validity when you not only continue to share Sasuke Sama's bed – and indeed, you by far hold the record for that by a number of months – but you have received a proposal of marriage from Gaara Sama, next in line to be Kazekage. Indeed, you must have some sort of charm beyond that of a normal girl."

Sakura did not know how to react to such words. "I… I have no charms, Karin. Even a horse holds more charm than I. Even the lowliest maid must see that. Who knows what men fancy? I certainly have no clue. Yes, Gaara has shown interest in me – Kami knows why – and Sasuke? Sasuke is an enigma. Believe me when I say that that man is still as much of a puzzle to me as when we first met."

Karin's eyes gazed around the garden idly, and she took a deep breath. "Will you accept Gaara's proposal of marriage?"

Sakura's brows furrowed into a troubled line. "It seems that that should be the logical solution."

"He is very handsome," Karin interjected.

"He is," Sakura agreed.

"And rich."

"Yes."

"A fine match, if ever there was one."

"I know."

"Then why hesitate?"

A pause, which seemed to be measured in aeons rather than seconds. "I don't know," she whispered. "I had a sweetheart, back at home. But a sweetheart he hardly was, no matter how much I cared for him. A stolen kiss under the moonlight. A few soft glances, a caress of fingers across the cheek, the touch of hands. That could hardly be called a sweetheart. A hope, maybe. A dream, which died the moment I pretended to be my Lady. Loyalty to my Lady then? But I'd be doing her a service by marrying Gaara. What then? I have no wish to die, so staying here would do me no favours. Sasuke is the only possible reason I could have, but he is hardly a reason at all. He has an unhealthy obsession with intercourse, is incredibly selfish, rude to the point of arrogance, has an ego the size of Oto…" Why had tears started to form in her eyes? "And yet, when I look into his eyes, I can see a young boy, who is scared out of his wits of losing the only family he has left, and would do anything to get answers as to why his family was killed in the first place. When he makes a promise, he would rather lay down his life than break it. He protects those he cares for, and has a desire to be the best in everything he does. Everyone he knows, he knows them better than they could possibly realise. He only has to look into your eyes to see your fears, your dreams, your hopes, your wishes, and he will do everything in his power to protect that. He has the best and the worst of men in him. I do not know which outweighs the other."

Karin looked amused. "Are you sure that it isn't his size which keeps you here?"

"Karin!" Sakura exclaimed, surprised at her accusation. "How could you say something like that?"

"Simple," she laughed. "I say it."

"Well it isn't true," Sakura grumbled, crossing her arms across her chest like a little child. "And I don't appreciate you accusing me of such shallow things."

Karin slung her arm around Sakura's shoulders. "What's wrong, hun? I'm just teasing. Besides, it's bound to have a bit of truth to it, considering his… length."

"You are disgusting," Sakura stated, but was unable to hide the small smile that tugged at her lips. Something about Karin's speech always had Sakura fighting back a smile.

"No, I'm a realist. Everyone thinks it; I just have the guts to say it." She sighed. "Alas, my little blossom," and she pinched Sakura's cheek like a doting grandmother, "I must be off. Errands to run, men to seduce, you know the drill. Keep out of trouble now." In a flurry of skirts, Karin was gone, leaving behind only a scent of floral perfume. It was as Sakura started to walk away that she realised that Karin had left behind something else. The crunch of paper sounded from beneath her foot, and Sakura looked down to see the letter that Karin had tried to hide. The rosette's immediate instinct was to find Karin and return her letter, but Karin had already disappeared from view, and Sakura was forbidden from leaving the garden without Sasuke. Normally, she wouldn't have a problem disobeying Sasuke, but thoughts of encountering Orochimaru again kept her in the gardens.

"I suppose that I should find Sasuke and get him to take me back," Sakura mused aloud, and started to wander, looking for the elusive Uchiha.

.:{*}:.

The hot July sun radiated heat, and Sakura was parched. She had been wandering for a while, and had figured that Sasuke had left the gardens, probably to attend to some other princely duty. What she would give for a glass of water! She sought refuge under the branches of the sakura trees, and sat, leaning against the trunk. Her eyes started to close, and she drifted into a light doze.

Voices woke her from her reverie, but she didn't open her eyes. Maybe if they thought she was asleep, they would leave her alone.

"Is that her?" said one voice, which sounded young and feminine.

"It is, Emi," said the second voice, which was more mature, but still obviously female.

"What does Sasuke Sama see in her?" asked the girl called Emi.

"Kami knows, it's hardly like she's a ravishing beauty."

"Are you sure she's asleep?"

There were footsteps which approached and the faint disturbance in the air as the second woman waved her hand before Sakura's closed lids. She clicked her fingers and, satisfied, went back to join Emi. "She's asleep," she affirmed.

"Do you think that the rumours are true? That she's some sort of witch, and has bewitched the Prince?"

"Doubtful," said the second woman. "Said she's got some skills with potions. More like she gave him a potion to make him pine after her. Done the same to Gaara Sama, I'd reckon. A little slip in the morning juice. Wouldn't put it past the likes of her. Whore of Konoha and all."

It took all of Sakura's self-control to keep up the pretence of sleep, but she somehow managed it by grinding her teeth together.

"Surely the Prince will grow tired of her soon, though? He's never kept another girl so long."

"Well, it certainly couldn't be her prowess in the bedroom which keeps her with him. She's far too young to be really good. Unless she sold herself back in Konoha as well, and picked up a few skills. But even then, she'd need a potions help. Her face is maybe above average. Her breasts too small, her waist too skinny. Nothing for a man to hold onto. Maybe he likes her hair, but even then that's more odd than comely. I can't imagine what he sees in her."

"Do you think he'd be interested in me, when he tires of her?" Emi's voice was excited at the prospect, and Sakura so wanted to open her eyes and slap the both of them. But somehow, her anger had faded to humiliation and sadness. How could people judge her so, when they didn't even know her? How could they say such cruel words, when they had no basis for them?

"Maybe, lass. Although if you ask me, it'll be that Karin that's next. She's had her eye on Sasuke Sama for a while now, and she's a right beauty that one. Good waist, large bust, hair that many would pay a pretty penny to duplicate. If anyone, I'd put my money on her. Then again, I don't particularly care. Just as long as he gets her out of his bed." She spat out the 'her' as if it left a foul taste in her mouth. "It's a miracle that he hasn't impregnated her yet. She's probably barren. I imagine that she'd want to give the Prince an heir, so he'll have no choice but to keep her. Evil little slut."

Traitorous tears welled up behind Sakura closed lids, and it took all she had to not curl up and weep. But even so, a little rivulet broke free and slid slowly down her cheek. She just prayed that the two women wouldn't see it. She didn't want them to know how much their barbs stung.

"Anyway lass," said the second woman, "we'd best be getting back. Still have to help prepare the kitchens. Doubt this one knows what that's like. She's probably never done a day of honest work in her life. All whoring, no work that one."

Sakura only dared to open her eyes when she could no longer hear their footsteps or voices, and it was only once she was alone that she allowed herself to cry. Those women, their words were so cruel. Their speculations held absolutely no basis. How dare they accuse her of such things, when they didn't know her! How dare they call her such names! They didn't know her. They had no idea what she'd been through; what she'd dealt with. She'd seen her father murdered before her eyes, and watched her home burn to the ground. She'd been forced to give her virginity to the man who was lusting for her best friends blood, and had been beaten by a group of men when they'd found out that she no longer had her virginity. She'd been tortured for a crime that she didn't commit, and was being forced to make an impossible decision.

And so, she wept. She wept for her father, who had died for no reason. She wept for Naruto, who'd been forbidden from going home unless he brought her as well. She wept for Hinata, for Neji, for her home, for her lost innocence and for the barbarous words which were thrown around about her. How she wanted to go home. She didn't think that she'd ever wanted something so much than she did in that moment.

It was thus how Sasuke found her, curled on the ground, weeping. He crouched down before her and pulled her arms away from where they covered her tear-stained face. He said no words – his eyes asked all the questions as he looked at her.

What's wrong?

Why are you crying?

Who did this to you?

"Sasuke," Sakura whispered. "Please, I beg of you, please send me home. I can't stay here anymore. I'm not going to tell you about Hinata. I'll be dead before I do. Please Sasuke. I can't do this anymore. I just want to go home. Please send me home." And the floodgates opened again.

Sasuke said nothing as he gathered her into his arms and held her close to him while she continued to weep.

"Sasuke, if you do nothing else for me, then please let me go home. I just want to go home."

He sighed, finally breaking his silence. "I can't send you home, Sakura."

And somehow, those words hurt more than anything those two girls had said.

So... was it worth it? I hope you think so :S Alas, I didn't get to edit this chapter, my lovelies, so you'll have to put up with any typos :S Oh! And I have a poll going on, so if you want to help me to decide which story to write next, please vote :)

Please review. I'd really appreciate it :) And please don't favourite without reviewing. Your reviews give me inspiration and an incentive to write. Plus, I really love hearing from you, so... yes :D

Much love, SapphireRivulet xox