A/N: Hi guys, I am so sorry. I am sososososoo horrible at updating. I lost motivation for a couple of weeks because finals are coming up, and I had a bunch of AP tests to cram studying for. They're all over now, and I came out in one piece. Still worrying for finals, though! School just needs to end. It's killing me. Also, I've been having problems with my boyfriend and my ex boyfriend and it's just a confusing mess, haha. But enough of me and my excuses, here's the third chapter. (-:

Chapter 3: Withdrawal

"I'm Sasuke Uchiha, but you can call me your bodyguard."

"I disagree on letting you go tonight, but the nurses said you were persistent on leaving."

"You can call me your bodyguard."

"I'm going to prescribe you a muscle relaxer that you should take twice a day. It will help with your dizziness and stress."

"I'm Sasuke Uchiha."

"If you're encountering any problems, you can call us and I will have a house doctor visit you."

"Your bodyguard."

"Miss Haruno?"

"Sasuke."

"Are you listening?"

"Bodyguard."

"SAKURA HARUNO."

"I-what?" Sakura snapped back into reality. In front of her was her doctor looking irritated and impatient.

The doctor sighed. "Did you hear anything I just said?"

"Yes," Sakura lied quickly. "I'll do just as you say, doc. Thanks for everything."

She smiled in return. "Take it easy, Miss Haruno," she said while handing her a bag of sweats. "Your manager dropped off a change of clothes for you and she said your ride is in the lobby."

As the doctor left, Sakura sighed. She shook out of the hospital gown and changed into the outfit her manager dropped off earlier that evening. Today was too much of an eventful day for one pink haired girl to handle.

I wonder how much of a bodyguard Sasuke is supposed to be for me, Sakura thought while descending down the hospital's hallway. I'm guessing it's just when I'm out in public and in interviews. A part time job. We won't even have to speak, really. He'll just open my limo's door and shove people out of the way so I can walk into a mall without being trampled. That's it.

Sakura exited the building and found herself in the lobby, searching for any type of vehicle that was familiar to her. Giving up, she sat on the curb and waited for her ride- whoever it was her manager had sent- to show up. A shiny black car that was as dark as the night sky she was under pulled up to the curb abruptly, almost hitting her.

"Watch it, assshole," Sakura growled. "Could you not see me?"

"How could I not notice you with that insane hair color?" The tinted window rolled down and a head of black spiky hair popped out.

Just the fucking person I wanted to see. Sakura scooted father away on the curb from the car in annoyance. "What are you still doing here, Uchiha?"

"Actually, this is a parking zone, Haruno. I should be asking you what you're still doing here."

"I'm waiting for my ride. What do you think? Now tell me why you're here, parked in MY way."

"I get a thrill out of parking in front of hospitals and watching bratty girls wait for their rides."

"Your smartass attitude will get you nowhere, Uchiha."

"Neither will your bitchy tone, Haruno."

"Apparently it has."

Sasuke gave his trademark smirk and leaned over, opening passenger seat door. "Get in."

"Wait, what?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I said, get in. Do you have hearing damage?"

Sakura ignored his question. "I don't get into cars with random dudes. Besides, I have a ride coming for me."

"Oh, really?" Sasuke's smirk never dropped. "Funny that your manager sent a random dude to pick you up, then."

"I beg to differ," Sakura began, crossing her arms. "She wouldn't send someone like you to come get me at this time of night."

"Do you think I want to get out of bed at 3 in the morning to pick someone like you up? Darling, I'm your best protection right now, and I take my job very seriously." Sasuke leaned out of his window to see her more clearly. "I suggest you get your pompous ass into my car and let me take you home, as I was ordered to do."

"Is that a threat?" Sakura looked at him with hard eyes.

"It's a fucking promise. Get in or I'll make you get in." Sasuke shot back, mirroring her stare.

This in mind, Sakura stuck her tongue out. "I don't believe you will!"

However, her taunting facade was quickly replaced with surprise as Sasuke darted out of his car and was kneeling down to level her sitting position within seconds. He leaned in until their faces were mere inches apart.

"Why don't you?" Sasuke tilted his head innocently, as if he was pretending he didn't know how the closeness of his body and the warmth of his breath on her face was making Sakura blush the brightest hues of red.

As if he could read her mind, he responded to her shocked silence with a grin and swiftly pulled her into his arms, bridal style.

"S-Sasuke, I-"

"It's time to go home, Sakura," he breathed into her hair. Sakura could feel the heat radiating off of her face and she knew she must've been the equivalent of a tomato.

Placing her into the passenger's seat and buckled her seatbelt in for her, Sasuke waltzed back into the drivers seat with the assholeish grin he wore so proudly. His engine came to life, and he peeled out of the parking lot.

"Why do you do that?"

Sasuke looked her way. "Hmm?"

"You know," Sakura huffed. "You act like a douche, for the most part. Then you get all close and in my bubble, and proceed to be a douche again. I don't get it."

The smirk resurfaced and he focused his attention on the road. "You look good with color in your face."

"I guess..wait. What?!" Sakura could feel her cheeks going red again and she put her attention on anything but him. Did Sasuke Uchiha just compliment her?

No, don't give in. Sakura, contain yourself. He's just one of those good looking asshole. He probably plays hundreds of girls. He probably has chlamydia or something. Sakura grinned. Chlamydia circus, chicken butt looking-

"Don't lose yourself in cloud 9, honey. I'm still here." Sasuke's voice snapped Sakura out of her thoughts.

She folded her arms and let out a laugh. "Cloud 9?! Oh please. I like blondes."

Quick lie.

"Bullshit."

Oh, goddammit.

"How would you know, Uchiha?!"

"Your life is always on tabloids."

She snickered. "I wouldn't take you as a celebrity gossip buff."

"I'm not kept under a rock, Haruno." His eyes never left his windshield. "Every guy you've dated in the past 4 years have been brunette."

Sakura huffed again. "Oh yeah? Name two."

He eyed her through his bangs and smirked. "Shikamaru Nara. Neji Hyuga."

"I only dated Shikamaru for like 2 months! And Neji and I broke up over a year ago."

"Yes, and then you went onto that famous artist, Sai."

"I liked him for his personality, not his hair!"

Sasuke's smirk only grew.

"Okay, okay, so I date brunettes. So what? Doesn't mean I don't think blondes are attractive," Sakura mumbled as she rolled her eyes.

The car came to a stop and suddenly she realized that she was in front of her mansion.

"Home sweet home," Sasuke murmured.

"Wait," Sakura looked at Sasuke. "How do you know where I live? This place is blocked off."

Sasuke sighed boredly, leaning on his steering wheel. "It comes with the job. I need to know your location, how to contact you at all times, and I even get access to your house." He held up a set of pink keys and grinned devilishly.

"What?! I will not accept this!" Sakura unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the black car.

Sasuke rolled the window down, "you're going to have to until we can make sure your life is safe, whether you like it or not."

"No," Sakura retorted. "I don't want you to be this close with me over some bullshit case. I will talk to my manager tomorrow and Konoha police, and I'll assign someone else. Someone who will treat me better than you will."

Sakura could barely see his eyes in the night sky, but she could've sworn they darkened. He stared back at his windshield, almost showing an emotion. Anger? Or hurt? "As you wish."

"Thank you for the ride home, Sasuke. Good bye." With that, she stormed to her gate and unlocked it. As she walked up to her front door, she heard Sasuke audibly sigh and his engine came to life.

As she fumbled for her keys, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she wanted to see him once more. Maybe just to set all his details in her memory because she knew she would never be able to see his handsome face, dark eyes, or that damn smirk again. But before she had time to look back, he was gone.

The next morning- well, afternoon- she woke up on her living room floor cradling a couch pillow in one hand and an empty bottle of rum in the other. She sat up, only to feel her head and stomach spin. Why did I decide to get hammered alone last night. Sakura thought as she stumbled to her feet. Oh, right, I was attacked at one of the biggest national television talk shows by the guy who murdered my parents and I got into a small argument with my attractive not-so-much-anymore bodyguard and sent him away.

Sakura attempted to wash away her headache in the shower, but being hungover with warm water running down her body made her nauseous. At least the smell of her alcohol-filled vomit got rid of Sasuke's scent.

After spending nearly the rest of the day on her couch with crackers and Netflix, she realized she needed to find herself a new bodyguard. It wasn't that she wanted to; she felt like she could protect herself. However, she knew that if he somehow found her, he wouldn't just kill her. He still wanted her, that was obvious. Would he torture her? Rape her? Force her into a Vegas marriage?

Sakura picked up her phone and dialed her manager.

After a couple of rings, a female's voice came on the line. "Hello, Sakura. Glad to know you're alive."

"Tsunade, I need a new bodyguard."

"Why? Sasuke Uchiha is one of our most elite shinobis."

"I realize that," Sakura mumbled. "We just don't get along."

"So?" Tsunade laughed. "I don't get along with your temperamental issues and your mood swings most of the time, but I deal it."

"That's because I pay you highly." Sakura switched the phone to her other ear. "Look, it's just not going to work out, okay? I don't like the idea of spending so much time with someone like him. He even has keys to my house! How did he even get those?!"

"We just wanted to take precautions," Tsunade explained. "And there for good reasons. Trust me, he's the best out there you can find."

Sakura chewed on her lip. "I feel like he doesn't like me enough to actually be able to protect me if anything happens."

"You're wrong, Sakura," Tsunade chimed. "He came into my office today, the poor kid. He seemed quite distraught that you fired him."

Distraught?

Tsunade went on. "Why did you send him away, Sakura?"

Why did she send him away, over such a small argument? Was it because he treated her differently than she was used to? No, she liked that. As much as Sakura claimed to dislike her newfound bodyguard, she was enjoying the fact that, for the first time in years, someone wasn't kissing the floor she walked on and was treating her equally as them. In a sick way, she liked the fact that he had the same distaste for her as she did him. It made the altercations something to actually argue for. He took her out of her comfort zone, no, he was challenging her. And she loved that.

Sakura ignored her thoughts before she spoke. "Well, he didn't act so distraught when I did."

"He cares a lot for you, Sakura."

Sakura's face was warm. "How? He only met me yesterday."

"He offered himself up as a bodyguard after the attack before we even thought of making sure you were protected," Tsunade said. "We told him no, at first. That we didn't know who or what we were dealing with. Then, he said he would do it for free."

Sakura's jaw dropped and she racked through her memory of what Sasuke told her.

"According to Japan's military, your life is endangered."

"A globally known actress can't die off during her glory years, now can she?"

"Until we figure out who the hell is after you and we take him down completely, you need to be protected. The group I come from has assigned someone to make sure you are, all paid for by your endless flow of dough. And that, sweetheart, is where I come in."

She shook her head. "No, that can't be true. He told me he was assigned to me, and that he was doing it through my pay."

Tsunade laughed. "He did? That damn Sasuke. He can never hurt his pride." She laughed more. "He probably lied because he didn't want you to like him for it. What an ironic hero, he is!"

Sakura kept shaking her head. Why would he do this.. for me? I only met him yesterday.

"Well, Sakura," Tsunade began. "I'll assign you someone else. I'll have to talk to Konoha's military and see who's willing to do it. I'm sure with your fanbase, there will be many tributes."

He may be an asshole, but for some reason, he cares. So I should care.

"I.. I think I still want Sasuke," Sakura confirmed. She knew this was the right choice. If she was going to put her life into anyone's hands now, it would be this mysterious man with the dark eyes.

"Sorry," Tsunade began. "but you fired him. From what I know, he was sent on a mission on the other side of Japan for a couple of days."

And that's when Sakura's world crashed.

"Already?! I only fired him last night!"

"He's a much wanted officer, Sakura. But if he comes home soon, I'll give him the word that you're interested in rehiring him, okay? I'm sending over some police to guard your house in the meantime, though."

Sakura sighed, defeated. "Alright. Thanks, Tsunade." The phone line went dead.

The days after that were uneventful and lonely. Sakura found herself feeling like she was on house arrest. Who knew hiding away from the public eye could be so boring? The only social interaction she got was when she handed one of the officers guarding her home money to drive two miles to give to the food companies when she'd order takeout. She avoided the internet and TV because she knew the media was loaded with the attack on the talkshow.

After a couple of weeks of sheltering herself, Sakura was tired. Living alone in a big house with only the company of alcohol and the recurring thoughts of her deceased family was driving her mad. Her manager stopped calling her to check up on her because Sakura stopped answering. There wasn't a point. She was used to being busy 24/7, waking up in different cities almost every day and partying all night long. She remembered the time when she used to crave some alone time, and a break from the publicity and her work life. Sakura laughed bitterly and cursed the man who took her parents life and left her to this protected solitude.

If she didn't send Sasuke away, she wouldn't be in this position right now. She could be out shopping, handing him all of her bags and shyly enjoying his warmth as he pulled her close to guard her from the paparazzi bombarding them. She could be on a private jet, showing him the luxurious life she knew he never has experienced before. She could be in Paris, forcing him to try raw snail with her and they could go to all the famous monuments and take pictures together. She could even be on the highest mountain in Konoha, watching the sun fall and admiring the stars with him, letting out all her troubles and enjoying his snide remarks and their small bickering.

Why was she thinking these thoughts about Sasuke? She had only shared a day with him, and even then, it was filled with utter chaos. It felt like more to her, though. Like that day wasn't the only day she had shared with him. But how could that be? Sakura was sure she'd remember someone like him, whether it was passing him on a street or holding a conversation with him. The bond she felt she had with Sasuke seemed stronger than a 24 hour body guard and client. Maybe it was because he was the last memory she had before she was in this week filled isolation, or maybe there really was more to it.

It didn't matter, though, because she knew she'd never see him again. He was gone, busy on missions and helping people that didn't push him away as abruptly as she did. And she was stuck here, hanging onto the thought of those dark eyes and that damn smirk.

For the first night since she came back from the hospital, Sakura remained sober. There wasn't really a point in drinking anymore, and she was almost out of her stocked up supply. This was also the first night since then that she found herself trudging up her stairs and residing in the comfort of her own bed. The couch was messing up her back, she concluded. It was better for her to sleep normally, for once.

After a couple of hours of tossing and turning, crying, and fighting the urge to take a couple of shots of Nyquil, her eyelids felt droopy and she fell into a deep slumber.

"C'mon, Sakura! Come up here!"

"I can't do it!" Sakura looked up into the tall tree her friend was in. She couldn't get her small frame to reach and grab a branch, and she was afraid of heights. Embarrassed, she jumped up and down, as if throwing a small tantrum. She sniffed a bit and hid her face in her hands in her small hands.

"Oh, no," the boy in the tree said, his onyx eyes widening. "Sakura, hold on! Don't cry!" He hopped out of the tree and gracefully landed in front of her. He took her small hands in his small ones and whispered, "don't cry, it's okay. It's just a tree. I just wanted you to see the view from up there."

Sakura didn't respond. She just hid her face in her pink locks.

"Sakura, look at me." Sakura shook. "Please, look at me!"

She reluctantly looked up and realized her face was wet and and her eyes were probably puffy by now. She pulled her hands away from his and wiped her face against her sleeves. He smiled warmly and pulled her into a tight hug. She cried in his chest.

"I-I just feel so weak!" Sakura cried out. "All the kids in our class are stronger than me, a-and you have to protect me against them. I wanna be strong like you!"

"That's what I'm here for," he whispered, running his hands through her hair. "I'll always protect you, Sakura. I'll always make sure you're safe."

She looked up and sniffled. "You promise?"

He grinned. "Of course! I'm going to get super strong for you so I can take care of you no matter what! You'll be my princess, okay? I'll be your knight in shining armor!"

She blushed and smiled down at her feet.

"You know, Sakura," the boy began. Sakura looked back up to see him smirking. "You look good with color in your face."

Sakura's eyes snapped open. She looked around and realized she was in her room. The light cracking out of her curtains brought her to the conclusion that she had slept in pretty late. What else was new?

Sakura laid flat on her pillow and thought about her dream. In fact, she had been having dreams about her childhood a lot lately. That boy.. what was his name again? Sakura couldn't remember. The little boy with dark hair and matching eyes, with endless ambition and impeccable love for her. He was her first friend and her first crush. But that was years ago, and she hadn't seen him after her elementary years.

A part of her always thought about him and wondered if the boy was okay and safe. She knew his family had been murdered by his older brother, leaving him to live alone. She grimaced at how well she could relate to him now, nearly 12 years later. After the massacre, he was brought to a foster home and she didn't hear from him since.

Sakura rolled over on her side and shut her eyes. With the power she has over the media, she could find him easily. If only she could remember his name! What did he look like now? Did he even live in Konoha anymore? Did he remember her like she remembered him?

Her thoughts were dismissed when her nose picked up an odd scent of sweat and dirt.

Waking up from her half asleep state, Sakura's eyes opened slowly and she saw that next to her in her bed, covered in the blankets, was a huge lump. It was breathing heavy and unevenly.

Sakura shot up, but realized an arm was draped around her waist, keeping her held in place.

She ripped off the blanket, revealing a bloody, bruised up man with those familiar spiky, raven locks and tattered clothes. He was breathing unevenly, and Sakura assumed from the dark circles under his closed eyes that he was exhausted.

Never the less, a dirty man was sleeping in her bed, cuddling up to her for what seemed like his life depended on it. Sakura didn't move at first, though. Was it because he was so comfortable and warm on her body? Was it because he smelled amazing, putting aside the grimy stench? Or was it because he was gorgeous, despite the cuts and bruises that covered his body?

No, it was because it was him.

He was here. In her bed. Latched onto her.

He was here.

He came back.

For her.

He was here.

The realization finally pieced together in her head, and she felt her heart swell. "SASUKE UCHIHA."

He turned a bit before stretching and lazily opening his dark eyes. "Good morning, princess. I assume you're not a morning person."

Aw shit! Sasuke is back, in her bed. Beat up, too!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Hopefully I'll be more reliable when it comes to updating. Reviews make ya gurl holla.