Sakura had been waiting for this day for over two years.
Only for her heart to be completely broken.
Sasuke returned to the village. But not alone. He had a woman by his side, and a pregnant one at that. It wasn't very visible yet, but the pregnancy-was obvious.
"You brought a new friend, Teme?" Naruto laughed nervously. Sakura looked at him as he tried unsuccessfully to lighten the atmosphere.
"No."
"We're together." the woman smiled and shook Naruto's hand "I'm Hana."
The boy shook her hand too, and she turned to Sakura. Reluctantly, she took Hana's hand.
All this time Sakura had felt Sasuke's burning gaze on her. Why was he doing this? To see her reaction? The tears? To apologize for giving her hope?
She didn't want to find out.
"Congratulations." she turned on her heel and started towards the hospital.
Only one tear ran down Sakura's face.
Naruto watched as Sakura walked away. He didn't want to believe that what he heard was true. Sasuke couldn't do that.
"Hana, can I talk to Sasuke alone?" the girl nodded and stepped back a bit.
"Naruto, I don't have time for this-"
"What the fuck are you playing at, Sasuke!?" he grabbed his friend by the collar of his coat.
"I'm helping."
"You are helping?"
"You heard right. I can't say anything more."
"Well, sure." he said sarcastically, "And I already thought you had changed." Naruto knew he shouldn't say it, but he was furious. He wouldn't let Sasuke hurt Sakura again.
"I've changed, Naruto." anger was beating from him now as well "I said I'm helping her now."
"Help should not hurt the other person."
Naruto didn't want to hear or see him anymore. He left Sasuke with Hana and walked away. He just hoped that his friend would come to his senses.
Two weeks ago...
"Thank you for saving my life." Sasuke knew he would have made it on his own, but the woman in front of him had helped him after all. He should have thanked her.
"You're welcome."
"I'll be on my way."
"Wait!" Sasuke stopped and looked back "I'm Hana. But never mind that, I know who you are."
This was not surprising. Sasuke was a very recognizable person.
"I need your help, Uchiha."
"Depends on what kind of help you need. I need to get home." he informed Hana. He couldn't-spend any more time away from Konoha, he promised he would return.
"Take me with you."
"You need to start expressing yourself more clearly."
"Let me start at the beginning. You see, our village is divided into two parts. There are fights, thefts, and sometimes even murders between people. And now my child's life is in danger." she clutched her stomach. Sasuke didn't even notice that she was pregnant.
"Go on."
"The father of the baby is a man from that other group of people. When it is born, they will want to kill me and take the baby away." she spoke harder "You have to take me with you."
"I don't see a problem." Sasuke set out on his journey to redeem himself by helping others. And this woman's story is horrible, so taking her to Konoha will be the best option "How do you want to get out of here without being noticed?"
"At night, I know the secret way out. But I have one more request..." Sasuke sensed he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear "You have to pretend we're together."
"I can't."
"It will be suspicious if you suddenly bring a pregnant woman."
"My friends will be waiting for me outside the gate. I don't want to lie to them."
"Perfect!" she clapped her hands "Tell them we are together. There are usually a lot of people at the gate, so the news will-spread throughout the village. Then you can tell them the truth."
"There will be a person there that I care about too much. I don't want to hurt her-"
"I beg." Sasuke looked into Hanna's eyes. The woman was close to tears and looked like she was willing to do anything to get him to agree.
Sasuke hoped he wouldn't regret it later.
"…Okey."
Sasuke was starting to get more and more worried. He hadn't seen Sakura in a week. Nowhere.
He tried to find her, but always got the answer she's not here, look elsewhere.
Sasuke was aware that he had hurt her. He could see her face struggling with the emotions building inside her.
But he wanted to explain it all to Sakura. He wanted her to at least listen to him.
He fucked up. Badly.
Standing outside her apartment door now, Sasuke prayed in his spirit that she would open it this time.
He knocked.
And waited a minute, two, three.
After four, she opened it.
She was wearing pajamas and looked like she had just gotten up. And it was fifteen o'clock.
"Hey."
"Why did you come, Sasuke?" he preferred how she spoke in a more pleasant voice.
"To talk."
"Okay, then let's talk."
"Can I come inside?" he asked embarrassed. He didn't want to say those words here where anyone could hear him.
"Sasuke, I don't know what you want to tell me, but I'll tell you something. I don't want to ruin our relationship, I really like you and-and friendship is enough for me. But I won't lie to you that it didn't hurt. I thought your promise meant something different than what she apparently meant. I'm not mad at you."
"I'm mad at myself."
"You shouldn't be. It's not your fault I'm going through everything like this-"
"I mean maybe a little of yours is, but that's not important right now. I never meant to force my feelings on you. I'm just happy for your happiness."
"Sakura, it's not like that."
"What do you mean?" she asked confused.
"I'm not with Hana. It's a long story that I wanted to-explain to you, but you disappeared."
"Meaning?"
"That means let me come inside and I'll tell you everything you need to know." Sasuke watched as shock painted itself on Sakura's face. "By the way. You can't force your feelings on me, because I already have them for you."