A/N: Thank you all very much for the reviews on the previous chapters. I ask that you sign in when writing things that I might like to reply to, or give me somewhere to reply back to.
I got a few not signed in comments that could have been avoided if people read the initial author's note. I'll say again that this is a rewrite. The major part of the story – the sharingan study – is going to have more of a focus, along with a bunch of new story line that you haven't read before.
A few of you said this reminds you of something else, and chances are it is the old version of this story, which is actually a lot different.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy. :) I'll be going through this and fixing anything that my eyes have missed.
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Sakura isn't sure what to make of Sasuke. The last few minutes have been the most awkward that she has ever experienced, and the medic wishes that she can slip out without being noticed.
She knows that it is impossible, because Sasuke is waiting for her just inside his sitting area.
The Uchiha Main house was rebuilt while Sasuke was travelling – she remembers walking passed the builders making a racket loud enough to fill half the village. Sakura notes, as she passes the threshold, that Sasuke's home is very beautiful, and well crafted. The hard wood floors are varnished, and there are steps at the end of a short hallway that lead into the sitting area. The cream shoji is open, and Sakura gazes upward tentatively trying to see into the room. She can't, and decides that it is now or never.
She enters to find him sitting at a low traditional table, where he is cross-legged upon a cushion. His arms are crossed, and Sasuke is looking at her with an expression that she categorises as annoyed. It is less pronounced than their childhood, but Sakura can see the tell tale signs - his brows are drawn together, just slightly; his jaw is set; and his eyes are intense.
Sakura thinks that he must hate her being here, and it makes sense. After all, Sasuke would not have done the study unless Tsunade made it a part of his 'loyalty' clause.
Sakura knows that Sasuke hates being poked and prodded, and he doesn't like hospitals. Tsunade-sama probably wants him to feel comfortable, which is why they are here, in his house.
Though, Sakura is still pretty certain that Sasuke doesn't want her here.
She is staring, she realises, and the medic shakes herself out of it. Sasuke is still looking at her flatly, and she tells herself to suck it up. This should be a cakewalk; she has spent plenty of time around Sasuke when he would rather be elsewhere.
Sakura sighs, and plonks her bag down on the lowset table. Sasuke doesn't speak, but he nods toward the cushion directly across from him, with the table in between.
"I can't sit there." She replies, before pulling out a large note pad. Her writing instruments come next, and a tape recorder. Sakura slides them over Sasuke's way, and then rounds the square table to where he is sitting.
"Can you turn to face me please?" She asks, as she pulls a cushion close. Sasuke looks uncomfortable at the proximity, but Sakura can't do anything about it.
"I need to be close, Sasuke-kun, I'm studying your eyes." She tries to placate, and he looks surprised. Sasuke's frown slowly dissapates, though his flat expression stays the same; she isn't sure what it means.
Sasuke moves to face Sakura, like instructed. He sits, straight backed with his forearms on his knees. He has always found this position comfortable, Sakura recalls - while she is more of a flop down in any position kind of girl.
"You need a hair cut." Sakura observes. His bangs cover his eyes, and his hair is almost as long as hers - which isn't saying much, considering her hair is just above shoulder length. Making an instant decision, Sakura reaches behind and pulls her hair from its loose ponytail. Usually, when she works, she likes to keep her hair back; today she will survive.
Sasuke stares at the offering like he doesn't know what it is, and Sakura gives him an urging look.
Slowy, his eyes narrow and he accepts the band.
Sakura watches as Sasuke pulls his hair off his face, tying the black strands up in an effective ponytail. His bangs threaten to break free, and a few strands do, but it is nothing that will hinder her work.
In fact, it looks good.
Suddenly, Sakura realises how fast her heart is beating, and she can feel a blush rising to her cheeks. It accompanies the butterflies in her stomach and she tells herself that these feelings aren't professional at all, and she needs to put a stop to it!
She knows that it isn't that easy. Admittedly, Sakura has never seen Sasuke with hair this long before, nor has she seen it tied up. It is a sight that will probably be imprinted on her mind forever. Sasuke can make anything look good.
He is beautiful…
Though, there is a high chance that Sakura is biased, as well as a lovesick idiot.
Deliberately, the medic forces calm breaths, and tears her gaze away from Sasuke's remarkably sharp cheekbones.
"Okay. Let's begin. You might feel a slight intrusion, but I promise it won't hurt." She says, as her hands reach forward. Sakura tries not to think anything negative, as he flinches, when her fingers make contact with his temples. Her hands glow with healing chakra, and Sakura says,"Please activate your sharingan."
It does not take long for Sakura to see the difference between Kakashi's sharingan and Sasuke's. There are obvious signs that an implantation has taken place near the optic nerve. The bloodline limit seems to use the chakra more effectively than someone who is not of the Uchiha line. Also, the area where the rinnegan, and the sharingan have been fused to the body is acting as an energy regulator.
'This must be the reason it has an eternal life span." She thinks, as she observes a small ball of charka, which seems unmoved; it is protecting the central retinal veins, as well as the nerves of the optics. Sasuke's body must do this automatically.
It's absolutely amazing, and Sakura sinks deeper into the study.
The first session goes quickly, and aside from her chakra inspection technique, it mostly consists of her shining a light into Sasuke's activated eyes, and marking down physical attributes of the doujutsu, as well as crossing out theories that do not match up with the evidence. There are new theories swirling around her brain, now, and Sakura can't wait to get home to review all of the data.
By the time Sasuke's sharingan fades, and obsidian stare back at her, it is late in the day. Sakura pulls away, coming back to earth. She doesn't notice Sasuke watching her steadily, without annoyance, as she jots down a few more thoughts.
Then, she looks at her watch and her eyes widen.
"Oh, Kami." She says, "I didn't realise that we'd been going for so long. You should have told me."
"Hn." He intones, and Sakura takes it that he doesn't mind. Though, she has never truly confirmed if she is accurate in deciphering his monosyllabic replies. It kind of reminds her of talking to her cat; the meow that she receives when she asks Mr. Tuffington a question is about as useful as Sasuke's 'Hn'.
She leans back and stretches, cracking her neck next. She is regretful that her day is almost gone, but it happens. Sakura always gets stuck inside her work. Usually, her partners call for a break, but Sasuke is Sasuke -he is too proud to ask for a breather.
Besides, if he wanted to, he wouldn't ask. Sasuke would just get up and walk away.
"I better get going." She says, and Sakura stands, starting to pack away her things. "I need to review everything from today, but we've made good progress."
Sasuke doesn't say anything as she says talks a little more about her observations. She puts her textbooks back into the travel scroll and tries to force her bag to latch closed.
"When will you come again?" He asks suddenly, and Sakura looks up from her fight with the satchel.
She bites her lip, thinking, and responds, "It depends on what I get done tonight, but probably tomorrow, or the next day. Do you want me to send word?"
Sasuke shakes his head once, and he pulls his hair from the tie. Sakura watches as the black locks fall to frame his face, and he musses it with his fingers, carding through his bangs so that he can see.
"No. I'll be here." He tells her, and he stands. Sakura finds that she follows the movement, until she too, is upright, chin tilted up towards him.
"Okay…" Sakura says, trailing off. She doesn't know where too look, so she meets his mismatched, unreadable eyes.
Suddenly, she finds that there is very little to say…
It's time to leave.
"I better get going." She smiles politely, and turns to pick up her extremely full bag. Once it is comfortably on her shoulder, Sakura looks back to Sasuke who has not moved.
"I'll see you…" Sakura says, sounding a little unsure of her words.
Sasuke nods, and follows her to the sitting room entranceway. She takes the few steps down to the hall and looks back over her shoulder.
He keeps her gaze for a moment and the look is undecipherable. Then she turns and walks to the front door.
"It's good that you're well." Sasuke says suddenly, from behind her, and Sakura stops. She waits a moment, heart beating fast. She doesn't turn again, though, and he doesn't say anything else.
"Bye Sasuke." Sakura replies quickly.
Then, she slips on her sandals and exits the dwelling.
Sakura doesn't see the frown that comes to Sasuke's face as she closes the door.
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