The next day, Sakura visited Sasuke. It was quite early in the morning; the hospital was quiet. The occasional nurse passed her in the corridors as she made her way to his room. She was grateful for the peace - it gave her time to clear her mind and to calm herself down. The prospect of seeing the one she had - and still - loved had set her heart racing and her head spinning with all sorts of questions. What if he did not want to stay in Konoha and had escaped during the night? What if Team Hawk tried to get him back? What if his heart was still closed to the bonds he had once shared with her and Naruto?

What if, what if…that's all I have to go on, she thought, pausing outside his door. Nothing is certain. Just questions and what might have been. Her hands curled into fists. Stop being such a coward, Sakura! she admonished herself. This is not the time to be pessimistic. The only way you'll know for sure if Sasuke's here to stay is to see him - not stand out here like a scaredy-cat!

With that, she grabbed the handle and threw the door wide open.

Sasuke lay in bed, swathed from head to toe in bandages. The only sound penetrating the silence was the constant beep of a heart monitor and her quiet footsteps as she crossed the room and sat at his bedside.

She looked into his silent face. It was as blank as ever but there was a peacefulness about it she had never seen before and his whole body seemed to be relaxed, not a trace of tension anywhere. His chest rose and fell with steady, deep breaths. He seemed so serene, so tranquil. It was as if he had completely cast aside the cold, hard demeanour.

Sakura had a feeling that he had not been this way nor slept this deeply in a long time. Seeing him like that almost felt like an intrusion, something forbidden. Yet she could not tear her gaze away from him. Could not resist stroking the soft raven locks cascading down the side of his face.

"Sakura."

A deep, familiar voice jerked her out of a daydream she had not realised she had lapsed into.

Her hand withdrew abruptly like she had been burned. Her heart thumped uneasily in her chest. The heat rushed to her face.

She stared fixedly at the floor. "Sorry," she mumbled, mentally scolding herself for getting carried away.

There was a short, awkward pause as Sakura pulled herself together and forced herself to meet his eyes. It would have been so easy to drown in those dark depths but she kept her nerve and restrained the urge. There was no way she wanted to lose control again. To be weak in front of him.

"Is your revenge done?"

Sasuke gave the slightest of nods. His gaze did not stray from hers.

"Will you be staying long?" she asked.

Sasuke remained silent for a moment then replied, "I went with Naruto of my own free will."

Sakura's eyes narrowed, his words sending her heart pounding again. "What about your team?"

"I let them go but they came here yesterday. They have nowhere else to go."

She could not believe her ears. He's…he's back for good! she thought dazedly. He's really come home.

She blinked back the tears threatening to fill her eyes and smiled. "I'm sure Tsunade will accept both you and Team Hawk into Konoha. If she doesn't, you can bet Naruto and I will fight your corner!"

A smirk spread across his face. "That loser better or I'll Chidori his butt."

Sakura laughed. Sasuke really was back. "I'll send him to Suna if he doesn't defend you!" She cracked her knuckles in anticipation at the thought.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow and she blushed, her grin broadening. "You're not the only one who's got stronger," she told him proudly. "I didn't just learn medical jutsus under Tsunade. Next time we train, you'll see why."

The Uchiha grunted, shifting into an upright position. A hiss escaped his clenched teeth.

Her hands were on him immediately, her nimble fingers flying over his skin, feeling for the source of his discomfort as she swept a trained eye over his body. She found it and placed a glowing green hand over a dressed gash in his muscular arm, infusing it with healing chakra.

Sasuke relaxed visibly as the pain subsided. He stared, transfixed, as the agate radiance faded from her downward palm. Sakura really did live up to her reputation as the best medical ninja in Konoha. Her hands had never been designed to take lives but to save them. He would not be here if it had not been for her.

"Do you feel better now?" Sakura asked.

"Yes," he answered, meeting her gaze once more.

"Good." She smiled. "This is going to be a fresh start for you and Team Seven. I'm sure things will soon be just like old times - only better."

His smirk returned. "Yeah."

The tears she had held back earlier welled in her eyes again and she mentally cursed. Darn emotions. Why did she have to be like this? I thought I promised myself not to cry in front of him but…I can't help it. It feels like we've been apart forever!

She threw her arms around his neck. "You have no idea how much I missed you! I never stopped believing, not for a second."

After years of concealing all the pain and sorrow, her tears spilled over, endless, unstoppable. Her emotions were raw and on the surface, deeply evident in every broken cry that tore from her and each sob that wracked her body.

"My feelings haven't changed. I still love you, Sasuke!"

Sasuke grunted and she heard the smile in his voice when he replied, "Even after all this time, you're still annoying."

"I know," she sniffed. "But that's what makes me special, right?"

He drew her close. "More than you know."

Sakura smiled through her tears. "Thank you, Sasuke."