"Well, well, well, look at my cute little students."

Sakura's eyes snapped open and she found herself in full medic mode. She was on her feet and walking in Kakashi's direction with her aura wrapped in determination. Her mind was filled with images of Kakashi's face as he succumbed to the poison of the Joker. She barely suppressed a violent shiver racing through her body.

"Why are you out of bed? Last night you could have-"

Kakashi held up his hands as if to ward off her words. "I was merely headed to the bathroom when I sensed a few familiar presences. Is it wrong for me to make sure you're alright?" Kakashi raised a hand and ruffled Sakura's hair who pursed her lips in response. Of course he would have a semi-valid excuse, but it didn't put her off in the least. She raised her hand and her fingers glowed green checking him over looking for any remnants of poison. Kakashi let out a long-suffering sigh knowing that she would pester him doggedly if he didn't just let her do as she pleased.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura flinched slightly at Naruto's loud voice. Most times he could moderate it, but if he was overly excited about something there was just no way he could tone it down. Sakura sighed. Some things never change. "Did you hide Sakura here?"

"Ah, Naruto you wound me. Would I do something like that?"

Sasuke replied succinctly. "Yes."

Sakura chuckled at his crestfallen expression before bullying him into sitting down. He did so, of course, making it seem like it was his idea in the first place. Sakura glanced at the sofa where she had spent the night in Sasuke and Naruto's arms and opted to sit next to Kakashi. Her actions didn't go unnoticed. Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances automatically knowing that this wasn't going to be easy.

Sakura, deliberately oblivious to the tension between the two men, was grateful that she didn't have to be at the hospital as she had a lot to deal with at the moment. Then again, she sort of wished she had to be that way she could put some of it off. It seemed, though, some things just couldn't be avoided. Sasuke and Naruto were there with her and it went without saying that they had to settle their past.

"Why are you guys here?" Sakura let her gaze drift from Sasuke to Naruto and back again.

"We came to bring you home." At Naruto's reply, she realized that she really wanted to run away and go home and forget everything about this world. But she had run away once in an act of cowardice. It wouldn't speak well of her character if she did it again.

Sakura took a deep breath and let it out. She glanced at Kakashi who was smiling at her encouragingly. He really shouldn't have been there for this particular conversation, but it was too late to send him away. They had already started talking, and he was well aware of what was going on, and what he didn't know he'd find out later. Not to mention the fact that she knew Naruto once had hopes that Kakashi would make their 'happy threesome' a foursome. It never happened. Kakashi wasn't the type of man to share—not to mention she didn't think he was too keen on relationships with men. Still, they were all really comfortable in his presence. Some would say they were too comfortable, and since Naruto and Sasuke had no thoughts to ask him to leave neither did she. Besides, she sort of appreciated his presence. She really didn't know what she would have done without him lately. She wanted to reach out and grab his hand, but decided not to. She could always thank him later.

"I'm not going back to Konoha. I'm not coming back to you." The look in Naruto's eyes was nothing short of devastation. She could feel his pain so keenly she was surprised it wasn't her own. This was why she had to leave before he arrived in the first place. Her and Sasuke's issues always bled over onto him and in the end the one who was the most hurt was Naruto and she hated that. Naruto should never have to hurt—especially not after everything he had been through. Sakura had to blink back the tears that were threatening to form as guilt choked her.

It took Sakura and Naruto almost the same amount of time to recover themselves. Sakura was composed while Naruto was determined. No one ever said that Naruto gave up easily on anything—especially not love.

"Sakura, Sasuke told you some things about me that-"

"Were entirely true." Sakura finished. Naruto looked like he would interject, but Sakura wouldn't allow it. She couldn't let him gloss over the truth any longer. He needed her to love him and she couldn't do that. Not now. "My not loving you hurts you, and the last thing I'd ever want to do is hurt you. You mean too much to me to do that. You weren't only my lover. You're my best friend and I only want the best for you. I'm not what's best for you Naruto. I left to give you the space to move on. I left to give us all the opportunity to move on. We're no good together. All we do is hurt each other."

"No relationship is perfect." Sasuke interjected somewhat gently surprising Sakura. "I was...wrong to push you away. To...treat you the way I have. That doesn't mean we...I...don't want to make this work. You care for Naruto. I know that. He knows that. With enough time who's to say you won't love him? I shouldn't have pushed you."

Sakura stared at Sasuke certain the world was going to end. She was certain that she had never ever heard him admit that he was wrong about anything. Even when he decided not to destroy Konoha, he never said it was because he was wrong. In fact, he never brought up the subject again like it was some passing whim of his that needed to be forgotten.

The alarm bells in Sakura's head began to ring louder. Was someone else in henge pretending to be Sasuke? Had she missed something? She glanced at Kakashi, who looked amused by her confusion. Sakura scowled. Maybe she was overreacting.

If she thought about it, his hesitation as if he were choking on the words were a major clue that it was indeed the Sasuke that she knew.

"Come home, Sakura." Naruto implored. "Give us a chance. This time I know we can make it work. I'm willing and so is the bastard, to let go of our issues with each other if you would only come home." Sakura opened her mouth but Naruto cut her off. "You don't have to answer right now. Just think about it. I know you may have other people in your life, but for now just think about it."

Clark Kent opened his eyes only to find himself in a room that he had never seen before. The windows were wide open and sunlight poured into the room. He sat up slowly as the details of the previous day filtered through his brain and one person came to the forefront of his mind.

Sakura...

He remembered everything. He remembered her smile and her touch. He recalled the feel of her lips against his. The smoothness of her skin. He remembered it all. All her laughter, all her pain he recalled every second.

Unfortunately, that included him, remembering her affection for her the man Naruto who had just walked back into her life. Clark clutched his head, realizing that he might as well have pushed her back into his arms. He needed to go talk to her. Clark rose to his feet and eyes widened as the world spun dangerously. The door swung open, revealing an older gentleman clad in black and white a tray in his hand.

"Mr. Kent please return to the bed. It is too soon for you to be up and about."

Clark lowered himself at Alfred's insistence. He sat the tray beside his bed and looked at Clark expectantly for a barrage of questions. "What happened? Where's Bruce?"

"Master Bruce is at Wayne Enterprises in a business meeting. He asked that I watch over you until his return."

"And-?"

"You collapsed and Master Bruce brought you here since you insisted, rather vehemently I might add, that you not be taken to the Watchtower."

Clark frowned. He remembered very little after telling Bruce that he remembered everything. "And he listened to me?"

That was surprising since Bruce never listened to anyone.

"Master Bruce is rather perceptive. I believe he thought since you weren't anywhere near death that it would be too much hassle to contact the Watchtower."

"And how did he know I wasn't near death?" After all, it wasn't often that he collapsed.

"I told him so."

Clark opened his mouth to speak but then closed it deciding that talking Alfred was just as frustrating as talking to Bruce.

"I have to leave." Clark attempted to stand once more as his mind strayed again to Sakura.

"You're not going anywhere. That Kryptonite worked a number on you."

"Kryptonite?"

"It was embedded in your brain."

And how was it that he wasn't near death? Clark shook his head. "I'm sorry Alfred you're not making much sense to me right now. Can you clarify?"

"Of course Mr. Kent. You arrived here yesterday evening and your head was obviously giving you a bit of a pain. So much so that it caused you to temporarily lose consciousness. As there were no wounds inflicted upon your body and you had the issue with the missing memory Master Bruce asked that I look at your cat scans from the Watchtower for foreign objects."

"They did that at the Watchtower. Nothing was found."

"Ah, yes I heard that. However, as I was looking at your scans I realized that there was something unusual on it. At first glance I thought they were mere specks on the film but after a closer examination I began to wonder. It is my assumption that those specks were indeed Kryptonite that had entered your system somehow and solidified and thereafter hindered your memories."

"Why didn't it cause more damage than that? I haven't had, that I know of, any aberrations in behavior that red Kryptonite has caused before."

"You may want to ask the person that healed you initially. It's possible that they may know."

Sakura healed him. He wondered if, after his behavior the previous night, she would talk to him today. He couldn't help but think that he had made a big mess of things.

"Alfred? Can I get you to do me favor?"

"Absolutely not."

"Bruce..."

"No. End of discussion Kent."

Clark pinched the bridge of his nose and pushed back his irritation. Alfred had managed to get him in contact with Bruce in between meetings. He wished now that he hadn't asked Alfred to contact the man. Why he had called him in the first place was just one more in the long list of mistakes he had been making lately.

"She's earned her place among us especially now that my memories have returned and I can tell you she has not betrayed any of us."

"I might accept that if this wasn't more than that."

"..."

"Admit it Kent. This is about you keeping here because you're afraid she'll leave you."

"I wouldn't resort to such tactics."

"Wouldn't you?" When no reply was forthcoming Bruce continued on, "if her people have come for her then you should let her leave if she wishes."

"I let her leave me once Bruce. I'm not doing it again."

"Clark, she's not from around here. She has a life, family, and friends somewhere else. Have you thought that maybe you're being selfish in trying to keep her here?"

He, indeed, had those very thoughts, but why was it that everyone else could indulge in bouts of selfishness and he couldn't? Why did he have to sit quietly and watch as everything he cared about was taken away from him?

Diana had not seen nor spoken to Sakura since the incident in the Watchtower. She was certain that was because guilt was keeping her away. Tsunade had been a friend to her around the time when she had first come to live in man's world and she felt like she had betrayed a trust. She knew well that she needed to contact Tsunade and tell of her of the events that had transpired, but had yet to do so.

Somehow, she felt it would be more appropriate to talk to Sakura first. That was why she was in disguise knocking on Sakura's door. Needless to say she thought she had the wrong place when a half naked man answered the door. His shirt was gone and he wore a pair of white pants that hung low on his hips showing tantalizing bits of skin. Diana immediately averted her eyes.

"I apologize. I believe I have the wrong place."

He didn't reply and Diana turned to leave when she heard a familiar voice.

"If you're looking for Sakura you have the right one."

Diana looked over her shoulder only to see the masked face of Sakura's sensei Kakashi Hatake gazing at her steadily. He, unlike the other, happened to be fully dressed.

"Is she in?"

Before Kakashi could answer the question she heard Sakura's voice yelling, "Really Naruto? This is all you brought with you? I don't have time to wash your clothes."

"It's alright Sakura. I can wear them a few times before I wash them."

"That's so gross! I have a good mind to hit you for that."

"But-"

"I don't want to hear it!"

"Should I leave?

Kakashi chuckled. "And come back at a better time? This is normal for us."

The dark haired one turned and walked away without a word and the stiffness in her shoulders eased somewhat.

"Come in." Kakashi said stepping aside and allowing her entry. Diana didn't think it was the wisest of ideas, yet she did so anyway. She did need to see Sakura sooner rather than later.

Sakura didn't notice her entrance as she stood berating a male with blond hair. He hung his head contritely, but in Diana's opinion he didn't look the least bit remorseful.

"You look beautiful." Diana looked down at her plain clothes. She wore a dark blue simple business suit. There was nothing spectacular about it to warrant such a comment. Needless to say Diana was surprised at the soft spoken words of the man beside her. Diana was used to the unwanted attention of men, but there was something about the way he said the words and thereafter completely dismissed her presence that caught her attention.

"We have company."

Sakura turned and looked in her direction and the liveliness of her expression dimmed somewhat. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one to notice.

"I can make her leave." The dark one who answered the door uttered the statement and Diana's ire rose to the surface at the thought him making her do anything.

"I'm fine, Sasuke. Can we please talk privately?"

Sasuke? Wasn't he the one that she had been in love with previously? What was he doing in her home practically naked? Was the other one her Naruto? Were they back together? Had she really left Clark to get back with the men that had hurt her so badly? Was she truly that foolish?

Sasuke looked like he wasn't about to go anywhere, but Naruto grabbed his arm and attempted to drag him out of the room, but he shrugged off Naruto's touch and strode angrily out of the room. Kakashi, on the other hand, had disappeared as soon as he announced her arrival.

"Why are you here?" Sakura's question was short and to the point. There was no animosity in her tone nor any curiosity. It made Diana uneasy.

"I came to talk."

"What is there to say, Diana?"

"I apologize."

Sakura shook her head. "If this is about what happened at the Watchtower then I'll tell you what I told Flash. I don't bear any of you any ill will. You were protecting Superman. I can't fault you for that."

"And yet you no longer aid the Justice League."

"That's not true. Batman and I took down the Joker and Harley Quinn not too long ago."

Diana's shoulders stiffened. "You fought with Batman."

"Kakashi and I did, yes."

"I was unaware of that." Sakura merely shrugged thinking the situation was irrelevant and leaving out the fact that she hadn't wanted to join the fray in the first place. It had taken Kakashi verbally knocking some sense into her to get her to come along in the first place. "Why are you here in Gotham instead of Metropolis?"

"Metropolis is Superman's city. It didn't seem the wisest place to be at the time. Besides Batman invited me to stay."

Diana didn't understand that. Batman hated when any of them entered Gotham. It was off limits and yet he had let Sakura waltz in by invitation. The question on her mind was, 'why?' However it was none of her business and probably in her best interests not to know. So she changed the subject.

"You have visitors."

"Yes, they are members of my team from home."

"Are they your...ex-lovers?"

Sakura frowned not happy with a note in Diana's voice. It made her defensive for some reason.

"Does it matter if they are or not?"

Superman's face came to mind and how lonely and miserable he had been without her. She didn't want a repeat of what happened when Lois died. Although, she was almost certain that losing Sakura wouldn't devastate him to that degree because she'd still be alive but it was best not to take chances.

"It would to Clark."

Pain filled Sakura's heart as she thought about how Clark left her. That pain was quickly followed by anger.

"Not that it's any of your business Diana but Clark left me not once, but twice. While the first time I'll admit that he didn't have much control over given his lack of memories, the second time he chose to walk away from me and the heart I wanted to give him. I put aside my pride and I asked him not leave me." Sakura looked around her. "I don't see any evidence that I convinced him to stay. I do, however, see that Naruto and Sasuke are still here, even though they are aware, on a level, of my feelings for him. And honestly, Diana, that means a lot. Clark just left me. He didn't even give us a chance to talk about it, to make things right. Do you have any idea how I feel right now?"

It didn't take much to see that Sakura was working herself up and that Diana had taken the wrong method in order to rebuild the broken bridge between them. Before Diana could come up with any ideas on how to make things right the male that she had seen Sakura scolding earlier appeared from nowhere and pulled her back into his arms.

"I do." He whispered and tightened his hold when Sakura obviously would have pulled away. "You wish you could find them and convince them that whatever was wrong, you could work through it. You want them to know how much you love them, how much you need them. How even though they may always love someone other than yourself then it would be alright just as long as you have them by your side. Pain with them is always preferable to the misery without them."

Diana slowly began backing away, aware that she was intruding on a very private moment. The door behind her was open and she noticed that Kakashi Hatake was waiting for her.

When she walked out of the room and Kakashi closed the door behind them and began walking her out. Diana held her silence until she no longer could.

"She's going home with them, isn't she?"

"It's possible, but truthfully, I don't know."

"Those two men, they love her very much, don't they?"

"They do."

"Clark loves her too. He may not remember it, but he does." Kakashi didn't reply even though he was well aware that even without his memories the man was very much in love with Sakura. He felt bad for her knowing she had an important decision she was going to have to make very soon.

Diana sighed and looked up at the sky. "Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"

"Sakura isn't the type to hold grudges—if she even has one in the first place." Kakashi really couldn't say if she did or not. Sakura only talked about Diana when he brought her and her wonderful, wonderful legs into the conversation. He didn't even mind that she was taller than him. In fact, he was certain it made her more attractive. Kakashi took a discreet look at the legs that were on display well aware that he was risking his life, but some things were just worth it.

"I've had time to think about your words and you were right. I was a poor guardian for Sakura. I would like to apologize to you for that as well."

"I'm not Sakura's keeper. There's no need to apologize to me."

"No. I never said you were. However, you are someone who cares for her. You stay with her to protect her. You love her."

Kakashi raised his eyes up to the sky, and thought on Diana's words. Yes, he did care for Sakura and he did want to see her happy. However, somehow he wondered if she was misunderstanding the 'love' he had for Sakura and mixing it with something else.

That simply wouldn't do.

"You do know I'm not in love with her." There was no point in mincing words. She needed to know that not only was he available, but he was also interested.

"I never thought you were."

"Good, then you won't be confused when I do this." Kakashi reached for Diana's hand and raised it to his masked lips. He watched as Diana's eyes widened and he didn't try to hold onto her hand when she hastily pulled it away.

"I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression but-"

"Your heart is otherwise engaged. Yes, I know. Sakura told me."

"Then why would you make a romantic overture when you're aware that I'm not interested."

Kakashi smiled. "So that you keep in mind that you have options. There are other men besides those of the Bat persuasion."

In Metropolis the lone figure of Lex Luthor sat in his office staring out his window when he heard a slight knock on his door. He didn't bother to turn around and utter the words, "Enter."

He knew who it was without having to see her. Her footsteps were silent, but sure. He never regretted a second of taking her in. Mercy was beautiful but dangerous. She was one of the few people that he thought was somewhat reliable.

"I got the samples and documents you requested Lex."

Slowly Lex swiveled his chair around and extended his hand, waiting for Mercy to give him the documents. She did so without hesitation.

His eyes scanned every detail as plans formed in his mind as he went along. This was going to be interesting. Very interesting. Lex smiled.