OVER 200 REVIEWS! WOOO! I COULDN'T HAVE DOME THIS WITHOUT YOU ALL! THANKS SO MUCH AND ENJOY THIS CHAPTER EVERYONE! I REPLIED TO REVIEWS, BTW.

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Xiaholica: Thanks so much for the review! I also think this chappie will give you some relief!?

mdtiger: Thanks a lot for your review! And you know when the going gets tough... and you know that shit happens... Well, I know for one that three months seems like forever to someone who got their heart broken. Let's just see what happens in this update!?

Chi-Getsuei: Hi there! I'm glad you love this story and I also want to thank you for your review/honest opinion. For me, I feel like it was just emotional for having to imagine Sasuke in a situation like that and also type it... plus there was reading the original version with the lead male character *shudders* but yes... I hate killing off characters that mean alot, especially Naruto! Hopefully this update gives us some clarity.?

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koolkidSwaggy: Hey there, koolkidSwaggy! Haha, thanks for the review and I think we both know that Sasuke has always been this tough... He survived Orochimaru's curse mark, is surviving the war, and such and such. He pulled through and ugh such an emotional chappie mist for the violence. *shudders*?

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Guest (Ashes): Haiii! Thanks for the love! *sniffle* I'm glad you like it! ... And that question... is a good question. (First, woahhh you read my bio that is so damn long and hasn't been updated in forever and it also is filled with whimsical nonsense I put for my own amusement... LOL I applaud you) thanks for that! But truth be told, I'm not really a fan of it for the fact of Sakura being the way she is and for the fact of me once being a pre-teen who was in love with Sasuke one time in my life. But I guess you can say that I warmed up to them... I still however do not want them to be together in the Naruto series. I don't know why but I feel like it shouldn't. Besides if you're caught up with manga Sasuke is being so cold to Sakura! It's almost funny... Poor Sakura... I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into detail... Anyways, Happy Reads!?

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Anon: I don't take this as harsh criticism, I'm glad to hear your honest opinion. Thank you for that but I do mention in EVERY disclaimer that I do not own Perfect Chemistry. I'm not taking full credit for this amazing story because Simone Elkeles owns it, all I do is edit, add on and rewrite some parts to my liking. I have written about 2 chapters of my own, not even from the book, so you should go back and reread, not to be harsh to you. But the next chapters after is this all me and some are from a surprise... You'll see! Thanks for the review and happy reads! :?

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Tokiosasusaku0723: Hai. Guess what. Your dreams. Just might come true. *nods head* Thanks for the review. Happy Reads! ?


Written By: Kumi-Chan/Tobi-Is-Fluffy-Chan

Chapter 23: Universe In Alignment


Disclaimers: I DO NOT OWN Perfect Chemistry. Simone Elkeles is the owner. No copyright infringement intended. Kishimoto-Sempai owns the characters we have all come to love and all I own is my edits, the thought of doing so, some chapters and add-ons! I've said this for the last 22-Chapters!


Sakura

It's April now and I haven't seen Sasuke in five months, since the day after the shooting. The gossip about Naruto and Sasuke finally died down and the extra psychologists and social workers have left the school.

Last week I told the school social worker I slept more than five hours, but that was a lie. Since the shooting I've had trouble sleeping, always waking in the middle of the night because my mind won't stop analyzing that awful conversation Sasuke and I had in the hospital. The social worker said it'll take a long time to let go of my feelings of betrayal.

The problem is, I don't feel betrayed. More like sad and deflated. After all this time, I still go to bed staring at the pictures of him in my cell phone from the night we went to Club Mystique.

The five months has been so long and hard. I couldn't get that bastard out of my mind...

Day after day, I'd just sit and think about him, doing nothing, really. My life had really took a toll after this whole aftermath. He taught me alot and some of his badness even rubbed off on me a bit.

For instance, I smoked my first cigarette...

I almost had a nervous breakdown one day and my inner me thought back to all of the times he had smoked to calm his nervousness.

So... I tried one.

It sucked.

No seriously, it did calm me down and I did enjoy the feeling of nicotine but it was a one time thing only. I'm kind of relieved to have gotten rid of that habit of his... I wonder if he still smokes now...?

And another day, I stayed the night over Ten-Ten's house but I freaked her out with my new acquired taste in music.

Okay, I wasn't changing myself to be more like him but I was just getting so caught up in remembering him.

After being released from the hospital, he quit school and disappeared. He may be out of my life physically, but he'll always be a part of me.

I can't let go even if I wanted to.

One positive thing that came from all of the craziness is that my family took Yoshiko to North Amegakure to see Sunny Acres, a different home for her and my sister really liked it. They have activities every day, play sports, and even have celebrities visit every three months. When Yoshiko heard they have famous people come visit and do concerts and benefits, if she hadn't been strapped in she would have fallen out of her wheelchair.

Letting my sister choose her own path was hard, but I did it. And I didn't freak out. Knowing it was Yoshiko's choice made me feel so much better.

But now I'm alone. Sasuke took a piece of my heart with him when he left. I'm guarding what I have left with a vengeance. I've come to the conclusion that the only life I'm going to control is my own. Sasuke chose his path. It didn't include me.

I ignore Sasuke's friends at school, and they ignore me. We all pretend the beginning of senior year didn't actually happen. Except Hinata. We talk sometimes, but it's painful. We have a silent understanding between us, and it's helped make me feel like I have someone going through the same sort of pain I'm dealing with.

It was late May when I approached my locker before chemistry class.

"Hey, Saku!" my best friend Ten-Ten greeted me with a warm and welcoming hug. Neiji gives me a wave of the hand.

I nod but turn back to the brunette, chiming, "Hey, Ten. How was the concert last night?"

Ten-Ten and all of the popular kids at Konoha were destined to attend a big Breathe Carolina concert last night. I got invited but I couldn't bring myself to go.

Most likely they would perform my favorite song Dressed Up To Undress... and that song reminded me of Sasuke and the time we went to Lake Kumo with Neiji and Ten-Ten...

Is it stupid to say that I think those were some of the best days of my life?

I sigh, forcing myself to smile as I listen to her go on and on about how great it was and how fun it was. Opening my locker while still listening to her, I notice a pair of hand warmers hanging on the hooks inside. This automatically makes the worst night of my life come crashing back to me full force.

I reach inside my locker, tightly grasping the soft cotton string connecting the two billowy handwarmers together and I stroke the soft materials that holds it together.

Has Sasuke been here? Did he place the hand warmers in the locker himself?

I let out a heavy sigh as the world around me goes black.

As much as I want to forget him, I can' t. I read that goldfish have a memory of five seconds. I envy them. My memory of Sasuke, my love for him, will last my lifetime.

I clutch the soft hand warmers to my chest and kneel beside my locker, crying. Ugh. I'm a shell of a person.

Ten-Ten stands at my feet. "Saku, what's wrong?"

I'm unable to move. Unable to pull myself together.

"Come on, " Ten-Ten says, pulling me up. "Everybody's watching. "

Temari walks by us. "Seriously, isn't it time you got over your gang-banger boyfriend who dumped you? You're starting to look pathetic, " she says, making sure the crowd gathering around us hears her.

As tears streams down my face, I stand up glaring daggers at this pigtailed she-beast.

Hidan appears beside Temari. He scowls at me. "Sasuke fucking deserved the shit he got, " he hisses.

"Who cares what you think, Hidan?" I seethe sniffling up the last of my tears.

"What fucking matters is that Uchiha is fucking gone and you're depressed. All of my wishes came true." He teases, cackling up a mischievous laugh that rings in my ears.

Whether it's right or wrong, fight for what you believe in.

I glare ay him, walking up to him and I bring my hand back, slapping him in the face.

"How dare you?!" Temari yells abound to do something.

I shove her out of the way, turning back to Hidan.

My hands are already in fists when I swing at him. He dodges the punch, then grabs my wrist and twists it behind my back.

Neiji steps forward. "Let her go, Hidan. "

"Stay out of this, Hyuuga." Hidan shouts, as he pushes me to the ground, those lips of his curling back as if he is about to snarl like a hyena.

I've never seen my ex like this except for when Sasuke first encountered me in the beginning of senior year.

Good riddance to him.

"Hidan, humiliating her because she dumped you for another guy is plain lame. " Ten-Ten slurs, as she helps me up from the ground.

Hidan pushes me aside and pulls up his sleeves, looking Ten-Ten dead in the eyes. "Shut the fuck up if you know what's good for you, bitch."

I think that crossed the line because Neiji got in between the two of them, his facial expression as stoic as ever. "Hidan, don't you even dare talk about my girl or any of my friends for that matter." His pale hands clench into tight fists.

I can't allow Neiji to fight my battle. "If you want to fight you'll have to go through me." I step forward.

To my surprise, Hinata steps in front of me. "And you'll have to get past me to get to her. "

Ten-Ten takes a place beside Hinata. "And me, too."

A guy named Juugo pushes Rock Lee next to Hinata. "This guy can break your arm with one snap, asshole. Get out of my sight before I sic him on you, " Juugo says.

Rock Lee, who's wearing a dark green shirt and same colored pants and orange leg warmers, growls to look tough... It doesn't work.

Hidan looks left and right for support but can't find any.

I blink in disbelief. Maybe the universe was in disarray before, but now it's back in alignment.

"Come on, Hidan, " Temari orders. "We don't need these pathetic lame-o's anyway. " They walk off together. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.

As the two of them leave, the crowd of students gathered burst into cheers.

"I'm so proud of you, Neiji, " Sierra says, throwing herself on him. They start making out immediately, not caring who's watching or about Konoha's PDA policy.

"I love you, " Neiji says when they come up for air.

"I love you, too, " Ten-Ten coos in a baby voice.

"Get a room," another classmate calls out.

But they keep kissing until music plays from the loudspeakers. The crowd disperses as I'm still clutching the hand warmers.

Hinata kneels next to me. "I never told Naruto how I felt, you know. I never took the risk, and now it's too late." She sighs, patting my back in a comforting way.

"I'm so sorry, Hina." I cry, shaking my head. "I took the risk and lost Sasuke anyway, so maybe you're better off."

She shrugs, and I know she's trying to keep it together so she doesn't break down at school. "I suppose I'll get over it one day. It's not likely, but I can hope, can't I?" She straightens her shoulders and stands, putting on a brave front. I watch as she walks to class, wondering if she talks about it with her other friends or if she confides only in me.

"Come on, " Ten says, unlocking herself from Neiji's embrace and pulling me toward the school exit. I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand and sit on the curb beside Ten's car, not caring that I'm ditching class. "I'm fine, Ten-Ten. Really."

"No, you're not fine. Saku, I'm your best friend. I'll be here before and after your boyfriends. So spill your guts. I'm all ears." She shakes her head, sitting beside me.

"I loved him..."

"No shit, Saku. Tell me something I don't know."

I whisper the next part to her, drying the tears that fall down. "He used me. He had sex with me to win a bet. And I still love him. Ten, I am pathetic."

"You had sex and didn't tell me? I mean, I thought it was a rumor. You know, of the untrue kind."

I lean my head in my hands in frustration.

"I'm just kidding. I don't even want to know. Okay, I do, but only if you want to tell me, " Ten-Ten says. "Forget about that now. I saw the way Sasuke always looked at you, Saku. That's why I laid off you for liking him. There was no way he was acting. I don't know who told you about a supposed bet-"

I look up. "He did. And his friends confirmed it. Why can't I let him go?"

Ten-Ten shakes her head, as if erasing the words I've said. "First things first. " She grabs my chin and forces me to look at her. "Sasuke had feelings for you, whether he admitted it to you or not, whether there was a bet or not. You know that, Saku, or you wouldn't be clutching those hand warmers like that. Second of all, Sasuke is out of your life and you owe it to yourself, to his goofy friend Naruto, and to me to keep plugging along even if it's not easy."

"I can't help but think he pushed me away on purpose. If I could only talk to him, I can get answers..."

"Maybe he doesn't have the answers. That's why he left. If he wants to give up on life, to ignore what's right in front of him, so be it. But you show him that you're stronger than that." She encourages me, touching my shoulders.

Ten-Ten is right. For the first time I feel I can make it and I have to be on hold indefinitely. I can't run after ghosts.

I'm stronger now. At least, I hope I am. . . . . Two weeks later I'm the last one in the locker room to change for gym. I sigh, unbuttoning the shirt I had on, neatly folding it. My tights follow suit and I slip on my gym shorts and t-shirt.

The sound of heels clicking and clacking against the tile of floors, makes me look up.

It's Ino Yamanaka.

I don't freak out. Instead, I stand and look right at her.

"He was back in Fairfield, you know," she tells me, crossing her arms over her chest and looking at me intensively with her one revealed blue eye.

"I know," I say, remembering the hand warmers in my locker. But he left. Like a whisper, he was there and then disappeared.

She looks almost nervous, vulnerable. "You know those giant stuffed-animal prizes at the carnival? The kind practically nobody wins, except the lucky few? I've never won one."

"Yeah. I've never won one, either." I retort, dryly. I put on my sneakers, tying the laces while she still stands there, probably contemplating on what she will say next.

"Sasuke was my giant prize. I hated you for taking him away," she admits.

I shrug. "Yeah, well, stop hating me. I don't have him, either."

"I don't hate you anymore," she says. "I've moved on."

I swallow and then say, "Me, too. "

She holds out her hand for me to shake.

I eye her hand but give in shaking it.

Ino chuckles. Then, just as she walks out of the room, I hear her mumble, "Sasuke sure as hell hasn't."

What's that supposed to mean?

.

. .

.


Sakura

Five Months Later

The smell of August in Amegakure is definitely different from the smell in Konoha. I shake out my new, short hairstyle, not even bothering to smooth the frizzies down as I attempt to unpack boxes in my dorm room at the university.

My roommate, Ameko, is from Sunagakure. She's like a little pixie, short and sweet; she could definitely pass for one of Tinkerbell's descendents. I swear I've never seen her frown.

Ten-Ten, at the University of Kirigakure, wasn't so lucky with her roommate, Dara. The girl has divided the closet and room into separate quarters and gets up at 5:30 a.m. Every day (even weekends) to work out in their dorm room. Ten-Ten is miserable, but she's spending most of her time in Neiji's dorm room so it's not too bad.

"Ya sure you don't want t'go with us?" Ameko asks me, her Southern drawl flowing from each word. She's going with a bunch of other freshman girls to the quad, where there's some kind of welcome party.

"I've got to finish unpacking, then I'm going to see my sister. I promised her I'd visit as soon as I unpacked. "

"Okay, " Ameko chimes, pulling out and trying on clothes to get the "perfect look" for tonight. When she finds an outfit, she fixes her hair and touches up her makeup. It makes me think of the old me, the one who tried so hard to meet everyone's expectations.

When Ameko leaves a half hour later, I sit on my bed and pull out my cell phone. Flipping it open, I stare at the picture of Sasuke and me. I hate myself for having the urge to look at it. So many times I've tried to force myself to delete the pictures, erase the past. But I can't.

I reach into my desk drawer and pull out Sasuke's bandanna, fresh and clean and folded up neatly into a square.

I touch the smooth material, remembering when Sasuke gave it to me. To me, it doesn't represent the Uchiha clan. It represents Sasuke.

He never came back... We never got back together like I secretly prayed every time.

I never even heard from him ever since the incident at the hospital.

Days passed by.

Prom came.

I didn't even go. Ten-Ten and the M Factor tried their best to convince me to go even offering this exchange student who was hot and intelligent, as my date.

I got to know him and he was pretty cool. For a couple of days, I hung out with him, hoping he'd be the one to male me forget all of the hurt but... it didn't work.

He was a brunette with piercing green eyes that would glint in the sun. He was cute and very funny; a sweet guy. But... he was no Sasuke.

Graduation came.

Sasuke's name was called but he didn't walk across the stage and collect his diploma... that meant he didn't graduate...

And now, here I am, starting college.

Without him.

My cell rings, bringing me back to the present. It's someone from Sunny Acres. When I answer it, a woman's voice is on the other end of the line.

"Is this Sakura Haruno?"

"Yes. "

"This is Himino Ueda, from Sunny Acres. Everything is just fine with Yoshi, but she wanted to know if you'd be here before or after dinner. "

I look at my watch. It's four thirty. "Tell her I'll be there in fifteen minutes. I'm leaving now. "

After I hang up, I place the bandanna back in my desk drawer and shove the phone into my purse.

Taking the bus to the other side of town doesn't take long, and before I know it I'm walking toward the lounge at Sunny Acres where the receptionist said my sister was.

I spot Himino Ueda first. She's been the link between Yoshiko and me when I call to ask about her every few days. Her friendly and warm welcome greets me. "Where's Yoshiko?" I ask, scanning the room.

"Playing checkers, as usual," Ameko says, pointing to the corner. Yoshi isn't facing me, but I recognize the back of her head and her wheelchair.

She's squealing, a hint that she won the game.

As I get closer to her, I catch a glimpse of who's playing against her. The dark hair should have been a clue that my life is about to be turned upside down, but it doesn't fully register. I freeze.

It can't be. My imagination must be going berserk.

But when he turns around and those familiar dark eyes pierce mine, reality zings up my spine like a lightning bolt.

Sasuke is here. Ten steps away from me. Oh, God, every feeling I've ever had for him comes rushing back like a tidal wave. I don't know what to do or say. I turn back to Himino, wondering if she knew Sasuke was here. One look at her hopeful face tells me she did.

"Sakura's here, " I hear him tell Yoshiko before he stands and carefully turns her wheelchair around so she can face me.

Like a robot, I walk toward my sister and wrap her in a hug. When I release her, Sasuke is standing in front of me, wearing khaki chinos and a blue-checkered button-down shirt. I can only stare at him, my stomach doing weird flip-flops, making me queasy. The world recedes at the edges, and all I can see is him.

I finally find my voice. "S-Sasuke . . . ? W-what are you doing here?" I ask, all tongue-tied.

He shrugs. "I promised Yoshi a rematch, didn't I?"

We stand here, staring at each other, some invisible force keeping me from looking away. "You came all the way to Amegakure to play checkers with my sister?"

"Well, that's not the only reason. I'm going to college here. Mrs. T. And Dr. Danzo helped me get a GED after I quit the clan. I sold Sasu. I'm working at the student union and takin' out loans. "

Sasuke? In college? His shirtsleeves, neatly buttoned at his wrists, hide most of his Uchiha clan tattoos. "You quit? I thought you said it was too dangerous to quit, Sasuke. You said people who try to get out die. "

"I almost did. If it weren't for Rock Lee, I probably wouldn't have made it. . . . "

"Rock Lee?" The nicest, geekiest guy in school? For the first time I scan Sasuke face and see a faint, new scar above his eye and nasty ones by his ear and neck. "Oh, God! W-what did they d-do to you?"

He takes my hand and places it on his chest. His eyes are intense and dark, like they were the first time I noticed him in the parking lot that first day of school senior year. "It took me a long time to realize I needed to fix everything The choices I made. The gang. Being beaten to within an inch of my life and branded like cattle was nothin' compared to losin' you. If I could take back every word I said in the hospital, I would. I thought if I pushed you away, I'd be protecting you from what happened to Naruto and my dad. " He looks up and his eyes pierce mine. "I'll never push you away again, Sakura. Ever. I swear. "

Beaten? Branded? I'm feeling sick to my stomach and tears sting my eyes.

"Shh. " He puts his arms around me, rubbing his hands across my back. "It's all right. I'm okay, " he chants over and over again, his voice catching.

He feels good. This feels good.

He rests his forehead against mine. "You need to know somethin'. I agreed to the bet because deep down I knew that if I got emotionally involved, it'd kill me. And it nearly did. You were the one girl who made me risk everythin' for a future worth havin'. " He straightens and takes one step back to look me in the eye. "I'm so sorry. Pinkie, tell me what you want and I'll give it to you. If it'll make you happy for me to leave you alone for the rest of your life, say the word. But if you still want me, I'll do my best to be this.. . . He gestures to his clothes. "How can I prove to you I've changed?"

"I've changed, too, " I tell him. "I'm not the girl I was before. And I'm sorry, but those clothes . . . They're not you. "

"It's what you want. "

"You're wrong, Sasuke. I want you. Not a fake image. I definitely prefer you in jeans and a T-shirt, because that's who you are. "

He looks down at his attire and chuckles. "You're right. " He looks back up at me. "You once said you loved me. Do you still?"

My sister is watching this exchange between us. She smiles warmly at me, giving me the strength to tell him the truth. "I never stopped loving you. Even when I tried desperately to forget you, I couldn't. "

He lets out a long, slow breath and rubs his forehead in relief. His eyes look glassy, filled with emotion. I feel my own eyes welling up again and I gather a handful of his shirt in my fist. "I don't want to fight all the time, Sasuke. Dating should be fun. Love should be good. " I'm pulling him toward me. I want his lips on mine. "W-will it ever be good for us?"

Our lips almost touch before he pulls away from me, but then he-

Oh. My. God.

He kneels on one knee before me, holds my hands in his, and my heart skips more than a few beats. "Sakura Haruno, I'm going to prove to you I'm the guy you believed in ten months ago, and I'm gonna be the successful man you dreamed I could be. My plan is to ask you to marry me four years from now, the day we graduate."

He cocks his head as his voice takes on a more playful tone. ''And I guarantee you a lifetime of fun, probably one with no lack of fightin', for you are one passionate woman . . . But I definitely look forward to some great make-up sessions. Maybe one day we can even go back to Konoha and help make it the place my dad always hoped it would be. You, me, and Yoshiko. And any other Uchiha or Haruno family member who wants to be a part of our lives. We'll be one big, crazy Uchiha-Haruno family. What do you think? Pinkie, you own my soul. "

I can't help but smile as I swipe a lone tear trailing down my cheek. How can I not be crazy in love with this guy? Time away from him didn't change anything. I can't deny him another chance. That would be denying myself.

Time to take the risk, to trust once again.

"Yoshiko, you think she'll take me back?" Sasuke asks her, his hair dangerously close to her fingers. She doesn't pull his hair . . . Just pats his head gently. I feel the tears running down my cheeks at full speed.

"Yeah!" Yoshi yells with a goofy, gummy grin. She looks happier and more content than she's been in a long time. Both of my favorite people are with me right here; what more could I ask for?

"What's your major?" I ask, staring into his eyes.

Sasuke flashes me his signature you-can't-resist-me smile. "Chemistry. And yours?"

"Chemistry." I wrap my arms around his neck. "Kiss me so we can see if we still have it. Because you own my heart, my soul, and everything else in between." He smirks at me.

His lips finally sear mine, more powerful than ever before.

Wow. The solar system is finally in alignment, and I got my Do Over without even asking for it.


IT'S NOT OVER YET!

STAY TOONED FOR MORE PERFECT CHEMISTRY AND FOR A SURPRISE FOR ALL READERS!

I LOVE ALL MY READERS OMG AND THANKS SO MUCH!

THANKS FOR READING!

KUMI-CHAN/TOBI-IS-FLUFFY-CHAN

(sorry for caps haha, I was excited...)