Hey there. I'm back!

As you've probably guessed by now, I didn't have internet access where I was... But I'm back now, and I'm putting up the next chapter!

I'll leave everything else at the bottom of the page. For now, ONWARDS!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, only this story :)

Sakura's eyes were itching with exhaustion when Sasuke rose from the couch. She watched him walk into the bathroom and heard the shower start. She was terrified to make a noise or do something wrong, again, so she tried to get out of bed and go make him breakfast. She let out a squeak of pain as she tried to move her lower abdomen, and heard the shower turn off immediately. Sasuke walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

She started to shake in fear, hoping that he wasn't about to hurt her again for disrupting the silence of the morning. He stopped at the side of the bed and looked down at her, no anger or hatred etched on his face.

"Stay in bed for the day. Let your body heal. You've been through enough," he said in a monotone, and went back to the bathroom.

Sakura was perplexed. Why was he treating her nicely? Why was he being kind? Sasuke wasn't a kind person! This behaviour was completely out of the norm. Last night he brutally took her innocence, and now it seemed as if he was trying to… Apologise? What? Did he fall and hit his head in the shower last night?

When Sasuke appeared from the bathroom, fully dressed this time, Sakura watched him with frightened eyes. He went to the kitchen, got a tomato, and went to walk out of the room. Before he reached the door, however, he stopped, as if remembering something. He went to a table and took a small parcel, which he handed to Sakura. "This is for you. A girl dropped it off last night." And he turned to go. When he stepped outside the room, he stopped a second time. "Sakura?" He turned to look directly into her eyes. "I'll be back later this afternoon. Just try and relax for the day." With that, he was gone, locking the door behind him.

As soon as the door was locked, Sakura felt a wave of relief pass through her body as her muscles loosened up. She reached for the parcel and took the small card to read it.

Dearest Sakura Chan.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday. It isn't much, but it means a lot to me. I would be honoured if you would have it.

Sakura carefully opened the package and looked inside. There was a piece of lavender ribbon with a white infinity loop at the end. Engraved in the bottom of it was 永久. 'Forever.' Sakura smiled and tied the ribbon around her neck.

She soon fell asleep.

She woke to the smell of cooking pasta. She sat up quickly and groaned when the motion set off the pain in her lower abdomen. Sasuke's face appeared around the corner at her groan, before disappearing back into the kitchen. Five minutes later he brought out two plates of pasta with tomato paste on them. He sat on the edge of the bed and handed Sakura one of the plates.

Sakura looked at the plate, unsure whether to eat it or not.

"It's not poisoned," Sasuke said, then ate some of the pasta with sauce off her plate to prove it. Sakura nodded and started to eat, her eyes never leaving him.

They finished in silence and Sasuke took the plates into the kitchen

Again, the question of 'Why' crept its way into Sakura's mind, along with 'Do I want to know the answer?' Sasuke emerged from the kitchen and resumed sitting on the bed. He took a deep breath and started to speak. "Sakura, you should have known to not try and get close to me. It will only cause you pain, as you found out last night. I meant what I said; I could kill you and I wouldn't flinch. I won't touch you like that again, I promise you. I regret what I did. But in turn I am going to warn you: Do not make the mistake of trying to form a bond with me. It will only lead to despair." He stood up from the bed. "You may stay there until you have recovered. You are relieved of doing any work until then." With that he went to the kitchen and started doing the dishes.

Naruto stood outside the door to Hinata's apartment, nerves alight. He hadn't spoken to her since he had kissed her and now he had to talk to her.

But… He'd been waiting here for over fifteen minutes and Hinata still hadn't appeared. Sighing, he turned to leave.

"N… Naruto Kun?" He heard Hinata stutter quietly.

Naruto turned slowly and saw her standing there in her nightgown.

"Hinata Chan, can we talk?" Naruto asked.

Hinata's eyes went wide for a moment, before she nodded. "Hai." She stepped aside to allow Naruto entrance. He walked in and followed Hinata to her living room where a half drunk cup of tea was sitting. He sat down on one of the beige couches and saw that a light blush was making its way up Hinata's cheeks.

"Hinata," Naruto began, "Hinata, I want to say I'm sorry if I've upset you since… Then. Since Sakura's disappearance I've felt so lost. I loved her very much, but she never returned my feelings. Y'know, she was always trying to point me towards you, but I just couldn't seem to see past her. Or I didn't want to." He smiled a bit at the memory. "To me, she was like my sun, and to me, you are like the moon."

"What are you trying to say, Naruto Kun?" Hinata asked.

Naruto shot her one of his infamous grins.

"Hinata, what I'm trying to say is that I was so blinded by my 'Sun' that I couldn't see the beauty of the moon, and it's taken one of my darkest hours to appreciate it… Not that you're an 'it', I mean… Wow, I sound like such a baka! That came out all wrong! Ugh, what is wrong with me…?" Naruto continued to ramble to himself.

Hinata sat there, her face lighting up like a bright red neon sign. "Naruto Kun!" She squeaked, then slowly stood up and walked over to him. Naruto was so busy mumbling to himself that he didn't even realise.

Hinata knelt down in front of him and waited until he looked at her.

"Naruto Kun, w… Would you like to go and get some… Some Ramen some time… With me?" She asked timidly, going, if possible, an even brighter shade of red.

Naruto smiled at her. "I'd like that very much, Hinata Chan." He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips, arms prepared to catch Hinata if she started to faint.

Yes, I know, I'm sorry! You guys have been waiting so patiently for the next chapter, and all it is is this crummy tiny little thing! But this is the shortest chapter in the whole story. Honest! I'll post the next chapter tomorrow, I swear! And that chapter is WAY longer than this one, so bear with me. But apart from that...

Thank you so so soooo much to all of those that reviewed or added it to their favourites, or added me to their favourite authors (That makes me feel really special XD) or added this to their alerts, or are just reading along because you want to... I know I get kinda crabby at times, but thanks for putting up with me :)

Uh, my holiday was pretty good :P I've finished re writing the story! My brother got to bring a friend along, and that was a tad nightmarish :Z (My brother thinks that it's "cool" to swear, be rude and be abusive towards others whilst his friends are present. Joy.) But he flew home on the wednesday, so that made things a tad easier :P But yeah... I guess I'll give you that preview now X)

Chapter 9 - Deciphering Braille

... She had started to trust him again (not that that was his fault!) and he had hurt her in basically one of the worst ways. He had stolen probably the only claim to innocence she had left...

... In some sick, perverted way, he was glad it was him who had taken that away from her. He was always the reason for her tears, what's one more reason for her to cry?

Until tomorrow :)