Reviews are greatly appreciated. **Looking for Betas**

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Chapter 2: Juxtapose

Tap…tap…tap…

A sigh escaped her parted rosy lips, her slender hand running through her delicate pink locks. To seize the space in her open mouth, she chewed on her pen. Her eyebrows were scrunched as she squinted at the paper before her. The sound of the clock on the wall ticking behind her resembled that of a metronome, keeping pace of silence's symphony.

Leaning back in her chair, she lifted her legs onto it as well, her eyes settling on the opposite wall of her room. Sitting at her desk doing paperwork wasn't something she should be doing at two in the morning, but neither is worrying about her ex-teammate. She always found not thinking about him to be difficult.

For Sasuke to be blind was odd for her. He could no longer see. No longer observe. For as long as she knew him, his life revolved around observing and judging. That was how he worked, functioned even. Perfectionist qualities all around. That was how he was though. She, admittedly, used to be fond of that part of him. He always caught things that others wouldn't see of think of. He truly was and still is intelligent, possibly even smarter than she. Although, she would never admit that openly.

Grumbling in her seat, she outstretched her limbs, standing as she organized the papers sprawled across her desk. Her feet tapped against the hardwood beneath her as she walked towards her mirror.

She came face to face with the woman she had declared herself. Her face was more mature than when she had last seen Sasuke, her now twenty year old self filled out as she aged appropriately. She was slender, to say the least. Her thighs were muscular and defined yet still attractive for a young woman of her five foot six stature. She had curves, a thin waist and an average sized bust and she no longer possessed childish qualities. Her jaw line is strong with defining cheek bones. Her eyes are a fierce mix of emerald and jade, all silhouetted by long black lashes. Her hair cascades down her back until it just passes the middle of it. Tucking a strand of pink hair behind her ear, she watched as several stray strands made their way to her face.

Sighing, she spun on her heels, her legs bringing her to her bed, where she let herself succumb to sleep.

"Sakura-san?" the said woman reacted, her head lifting from paper she was reading to the voice. A tall man stood before her, his body clad in the Konoha ANBU attire. Slowly putting the paper down, she folded her hands together as she eyed the masked man.

"Yes?" She almost winced as she heard her voice. Fragile and meek, she wanted to slap herself.

"Hokage-sama wishes to see you."

"You rang?" A familiar blonde lifted her head from her paperwork, her eyes settling on a pink haired beauty. Nodding, she carelessly pushed the work aside, a small smirk adorning her face as she folded her hands together, placing her chin on it gently.

"Yes. Come in, Sakura." Shutting the wooden door behind her, the female stepped forward, each woman sharing a small moment of exchanged looks.

"As you know, Sasuke Uchiha is back, and alive, thanks to you." Sakura nodded curtly at the remark. "And you understand the horrible things he's done correct?" Again, she nodded.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." The woman eyed the girl before continuing.

"He should be hanged." Sakura bit the insides of her cheeks as she spoke the words she wished she'd never hear. Lowering her head a bit, Sakura's eyes met the floor. A short pause took place before the woman continued. "But, he may be the only thing we have to defeat Akatsuki."

Sakura lifted her head in hope, her eyes shining with a small glimmer of happiness. Yes, she understands that he's done terrible things; things meant only for nightmares. She understands that he is not the boy that had left so long ago. She understands this much. But, she refuses to believe that the boy she fell in love with isn't in him somewhere. It wasn't an impossible idea like so many had tried to convince her. People aren't fully evil. Right?

"What does this have to do with me?" She could feel the woman smirk from across the room.

"You…Will be staying with him. Tend to him until he gets better. He will then be interrogated."

Pause.

Say what?

Stay with Sasuke Uchiha. As in the same house. Tend to his needs. Heal him and be with him.

Sakura felt her heart in her throat, her lips becoming dry. She could hardly come to terms with his return. Now she was forced to stay with him and serve him? She was his care taker.

"What about my hospital duties?" Tsunade smiled.

"You can still work there. Kakashi and Naruto will take separate shifts tending to him. Don't worry Sakura, I wouldn't put you through that much torture." The woman laughed at her joke and Sakura let out a small, awkward chuckle. "Your mission begins when you return to the hospital. Now run along."

Sakura felt like her face was on fire. Her heart rang in her ears as she walked towards the hospital. Her life was taking a turn for the worst. She was already stressed and wasn't sure how she could make it.

This was Sasuke they were talking about. Arrogant, uncaring, selfish. He had always found her to be a nuisance.

She felt a knot form in her stomach as his name left a bitter taste in her mouth.

She hated not being needed. She had worked so hard to get to where she was and yet she knew he would find a way to put her down. To make her feel like that small insignificant girl that would go nowhere as a ninja. She proved to so many others of her potential. Yet she would always be next to nothing to him.

Putting her hand on her chest, she could feel her body become weak with frustration and the urge to cry. Taking a deep breath, she knew he was not worth it. Not worth her time and effort. This was the mission. After this, she would say goodbye to him just like she had done with her feelings for him so long ago.

Black

That's all he ever sees. Grumbling, he felt himself blink, though there was no change in his sight that would tell him otherwise. A frown graced his pale complexion as he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.

It was like he was staring into his soul. Into absolute nothingness. And it bugged him. Greatly.

A sliding of a door caught his attention as he refused to recognize the presence walking into the room. He has already refused answering question. He wasn't backing down. All he wanted was to leave. Now.

"How are you feeling?"

The voice was that of a female. She sounded a bit nervous and fatigued as she shut the door behind her. Her voice was smooth and calmed his tension for a reason he couldn't put. He had never paid much attention to sound unless on guard or during a mission. Now he found himself relying on the sense more than ever. Realizing he never answered, he gave a small grunt as a response.

The sound of her shoes hitting the floor perked his newly harnessed sense as they grew closer to him. He almost jumped when she touched his forehead.

Her hands were soft and slender as she inspected his wounds. She did so with haste. She left shortly after, her presence unknown. Becoming a bit frantic, Sasuke shifted. The sound of paper's flipping eased his heart rate as he relaxed slightly.

"I want to leave."

His voice caught her off guard as she lifted her head, staring at the man laying on the bed, his eyes on the ceiling. Standing upright, she couldn't help but frown. Not at his question, but more at the fact that he couldn't see what he was looking at. He couldn't see what his eyes had once known and observed and judged. All he could judge is black.

"I'm afraid you can't. In fact, you won't be going anywhere for quite some time." Sakura watched as his body stiffened and grabbed a fist full of white sheets in his large calloused hands. She stood still for a bit, unsure of what to say to the man who was obviously brooding in front of her. Walking beside him, she looked at his face.

Taking in his handsome features she always loved, she admired him to herself. She was never able to look at his face for so long without him scowling and turning away from her. His hair was disheveled and sprawled across the white pillow. He looked a bit better as he gained a few pounds in the few days he had been in the hospital for he is fed and given water through an IV. Looking into his eyes, she swallowed hard. There was less than nothing.

"I was put in charge of tending to your eyes. Afterward, you are going to be interrogated and-"

"Killed." Sakura's eyes widened slightly as she tilted her head to the side, surprised he actually interrupted her to speak. Sighing, she silently wished he has kept to his morals and didn't talk.

"No. You're going to help eliminate the Akatsuki." She watched as he swallowed and shifted. She could tell he didn't like the idea. Placing her clipboard on the side of the bed, she put her palms on his eyes, forcing them closed. He hardly reacted, aside from a deepened frown, as she kept her hands still. Pushing chakra to her palms, she explored his nerves and chakra points, hoping to find the extent of his blindness. After several minutes, she came to a conclusion.

"You overused the Sharingan, I see." Picking up her clipboard, she wrote down a few notes before placing it down and returning her palms to their previous position on his face. "This will take time." A steady flow of green chakra was formed as they enveloped his eyes.

"How long?" His voice was cold and menacing. She could feel his glare from underneath his eyelids. Shaking her head, she replied.

"A minimum of a month." The man rose abruptly, ripping an IV from his body. His eyes were open, his expression angry as he attempted to glare at heer. Sakura eyed him before sighing, folding her arms over her chest, her tongue clicking against the roof of her mouth. "I can understand you're not happy with it. But it's the best I can do with the extent of your injuries."

She watched as he made a sound of displeasure with his mouth as he moved his head towards the window, his glare still present. Sighing, the girl rubbed her temples. Taking his body language as a sign to leave, she picked up the clipboard, her eyes settling on him once more. Moving towards the door, she was interrupted by his voice.

"Who are you?" He asked, his voice gruff. "So I know whom to blame if my sight isn't fixed." Sakura could feel her blood boil.

Clenching her fists, she restrained herself from slapping the man. Standing up straight, the girl refused to answer. She would not, in his eyes, be considered weak and trivial.

Not this time.

A short puff of air came from her mouth. The girl sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The incident from the afternoon soon diminished as the girl spent almost the rest of the day in her private office. It was her comfort zone. The only place she could go back to after a hard case or to think. It was where she slept when she had an extensive amount of paperwork to finish and it was the one place she earned a title to. This place was hers, customized to her own plain yet tasteful style.

Placing her head on the desk, the girl let her eyes flutter closed. She wasn't sure how much time passed before a harsh, quick knock was heard on her door. Grumbling, she lifted her head, putting it in her palm as she pretended to be working. She was more like Tsunade every day.

"Come in." She yelled carelessly towards the door. The owner of the knock came in, causing Sakura to look up. Blinking in surprise, she set her papers to the side, folding her hands neatly. "What brings you here, Tenshi?"

A man the age of twenty-one stepped forward, greeting the girl with a small smile. His eyes were a mix of blue and grey which contrasted with his black hair. Even Sakura would admit, his face was admirably handsome, his features strong and favorable. His bangs reached just past his eyebrows while the back was spiked only slightly. He was clad in his ANBU uniform, his mask that resembled a cat strapped to the side of his head. He was tall, his arms visibly muscular while his waist was lean and fit.

Bowing shortly, he sat in the seat across from her desk, his smile still present as he chuckled.

"I heard about your mission. I was curious as to how you were holding up." He raked his masculine hands through his already somewhat disheveled hair. Sakura sent him a friendly smile as she nodded, giggling softly.

"Thank you for your concern, Tenshi. It's been less than interesting, to say the least." She finished, a quick moment of eye contact between the two before she broke it. The man noticed as he seemed to almost wince.

Sakura, despite her beauty, still found it hard to see any other man as something more than a friend. Whether it was a fear of getting hurt again or the possibility that she just didn't think she was ready for such a commitment with a man, she didn't know. Seeing as though her feelings for Sasuke had dissipated so long ago, she knew it was impossible for that to be the soul reason for her neglect to other men. She just knew it.

"Well, I was thinking" He flashed a small smile, his deep voice smooth and filled with an emotion she couldn't quite place, "why don't I take you out after work today. I just got off a mission. I could use some time with a good friend." He stated, his eyes searching for her gaze and approval.

Sakura chuckled and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Running a hand through her bangs, she let her gaze meet his. Nodding slowly, she let a small smile grace her porcelain skin. Standing, she could see his pearly white teeth from her spot.

"Perfect! I'll meet you at Hibano's Tea House at seven. Don't get too stressed out." With a small wave of his hand, he put on his ANBU mask, and left the office.

Sighing, Sakura could feel her heart beating faster. He was sweet and attractive yes, but she didn't see any potential of them being together. It was impossible. Completely impractical.

Standing in front of her mirror, hair wet with a white silk robe wrapped around her slim figure, she had yet to figure out what to wear to this thing she was supposedly going to. She wasn't like Ino, bearing clothes from the heavens that seemed to suit every occasion, which make her look exotic, irresistible or whatever other look she decided to pull off that day. She was Sakura. Simple and blend in with the crowd type of woman. Despite her pink hair and viridian eyes, very unique characteristics for a person to have, she didn't really like the attention. Over the years, attention had become a fading want as she focused on things that would get her noticed such as her intelligence and skill, not looks. Looks came naturally. You are born with what you are given and it is up to you to harness and enhance them or let them be and move on. She was moving on.

Standing, the girl moved to her closet, her finger tapping her chin in haste as she tried to pick a suitable outfit for the occasion. Seeing as though they were just friends, she shouldn't feel the need to impress. Casual should do.

Pulling a simple pair of comfortable white shorts, she grabbed a mint colored sweater that hung loosely off one of her shoulders. It reached her elbows, and was made of a thinner material, which was practical. Throwing them on, she brushed her hair, not bothering to style it. Putting on mascara and a small amount of blush, she figured she was done. Grabbing a small black purse and black sandals, she left, leaving just enough time to walk.

Sakura let her eyes wander towards the townspeople. Some waved while most went about their own business, preparing for the day to end. She couldn't help but think of her teammate and their encounter from earlier. He didn't recognize her voice and he still doesn't know she is the one tending to him. It's not like he would want her taking care of him anyway. She was his old teammate. Their last encounter ended with Naruto saving her from being killed by Sasuke's hands. The time before that he had lifted his sword, ready to strike her. And finally, the day he left her, the road she no longer travels unless leaving the village. She could never pass that place, just like she didn't dare go near his living quarters. Despite her self control, even she knew her emotional limits. Some heartbreaks are too large and will always cause suffering. Sasuke taught her that concept.

Arriving at the tea house, the girl moved the small blue curtain as she bowed and walked inside. Her emerald eyes wandered until she saw a familiar man sitting at a table for two, his hand up to grab her attention. He had his usual smile on his face as she walked over to him. To her surprise, he stood, pulling out a chair for her and seating her and then returning to his own spot across from her. Placing her bag on her lap, she gave him a small grin, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. A small pink graced her cheeks when she noticed he was watching her, his smile never faltering.

"So how was work after I left? Hopefully not too horrible." He stated, his voice light and carefree. Sakura let a small chuckle escape her throat as she picked at her nails, a nervous habit she was developing.

"Oh you know. The usual paperwork and healing patients." She stated, trying to mimic his relaxed and blithe antics. In her own ears, she sounded dull and boring.

"And the Uchiha?" Sakura let out a sigh, knowing an awkward silence was to follow if she didn't word her phrases right. She didn't want him to get the wrong impression of her.

"He's well…Sasuke. He doesn't know I'm the one treating him yet." He gave her a questioning look and she tried to elaborate. "I figured it could wait until it's absolutely necessary to tell him. If he doesn't ask, then I won't tell him."

She could feel his gaze on her form as she looked away. She flushed in embarrassment at her seemingly childish logic. She knew what he was thinking. Why not tell your teammate you're treating him? She can't take the rejection. But she wasn't going to share that with him.

"I see. So it's your personal test; to see if he cares." He spoke, a small smirk forming on his lips. She almost frowned in disapproval.

"Well I see it more as a way to avoid any awkwardness between us. That's all." She moved her hands, placing her chin in her palm as she blew a strand of hair from her eyes. He chuckled as he shook his head.

"You two had a thing?" She almost died. Her eyes went wide and she could feel her cheeks becoming red.

"N-no! Nothing close to a 'thing.'" She waved it off, signaling to drop the subject. She hoped he could take a hint.

No such luck.

"Oh come on. A pretty girl like you can get someone like Sasuke Uchiha." Sakura felt dizzy. She hardly knew the man and he was already assuming things. She looked around, her eyes frantically searching for someone to take their order. Finally spotting someone, she quickly shouted towards them. The woman scowled towards her as she approached, her façade immediately changing as she looked to Tenshi. Her hazel eyes grew ablaze with lust like Sakura has never seen.

"What can I get you, sir?" She asked, her voice high as she tried to lace it with some seductive tone that made Sakura want to punch her. Tenshi seemed to notice.

"A sweet tea for me and you, dear?" He asked as he pointed to Sakura. Shaking her head, the girl tilted her head as she was apparently addressed. Dear? Eying the waitress, she saw the sinister glare and understood.

"Oh. I'll have the same." She finished, smiling up towards the woman who flicked her hair and walked away with the order.

Looking towards Tenshi, Sakura bowed her head, her eyes looking towards the floor.

"You didn't have to do that you know." She refused to look at him. His chuckle sent heat to her face as she swallowed hard.

"It's no big deal. I like playing around with people like that." He laughed. Looking up, Sakura watched as he waved his hand in front of his face.

In the candle light, his attractive features were accentuated. His eyes seemed to glow as his hair shone with the flickering candle in between the two. He seemed very warm and welcoming. Almost like Naruto, except their was a calmness in him that she could only place as a trait possessed by Sasuke. He was like her teammates merged into one being. Blinking, she stopped herself from staring at him. Maybe that's why she's taking such a liking to him.

"Here are your drinks." A monotonous voice rang in her ear as the waitress returned, two identical glasses with steam rising from them were placed before the two. Tenshi immediately picked it up, smiling towards her before blowing and taking a sip from it. Letting out a satisfied noise, he placed it down in front of him.

Picking it up and placing it to her lips, Sakura felt the steam hitting her face. She was at peace. The stress of treating Sasuke was getting to her, and this relaxed state is something she would cherish. Taking a small sip, she smiled towards the man, her emerald hues on his face. A poof and cloud of smoke brought her from her reverie.

"Sakura-san!" Looking towards the smoke, the girl that was addressed blinked. Shizune stood before her, a serious yet somewhat worried expression was on her face.

"Come with me. There's something wrong with Sasuke-san." Upon hearing his name the girl shot from her chair and quickly bowed.

"Thank you so much for this treat. I'll pay you back soon." With a curt nod and smile, she formed a hand sign and quickly left.

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