chapter 3

In the weeks that followed Sasuke and Sakura seemed to get closer, they hadn't kissed since that night at the village gates, but Sakura knew Sasuke was still emotionally unstable, and didn't want to push anything to fast on him. Although she longed for another kiss, she felt it best to wait until he felt he wanted to again.

Sakura awoke one morning to find Sasuke had left early, probably summoned by Kakashi sensei, Sakura sighed and decided to begin her day, she started on breakfast, she grilled some leftover fish and made a side of rice.

She ate taking in the silence, she started feeling the weight of Sasuke's absence, it had been wonderful having him around, she recalled him always waking up before her and making breakfast for both of them, and him constantly keeping the house clean, she had been working long hours at the hospital the past two weeks and had been behind on house work.

Sakura had come home extra late one night to find Sasuke had cleaned her entire house spotless, and had done and folded all the laundry. Sakura smiled at the memory, she guessed maybe he was just saying thanks for letting him stay with her or he just realized what a big work load she had on her plate.

After breakfast she decided she needed a long hot shower, working long hours really made her muscles tense, plus she figured she had plenty of time to soak, Sasuke probably wouldn't be home for hours.

She undressed and walked into her bedroom bathroom , she turned the shower on hot and stepped in breathing in the steam and letting the water hit her sore body.

Near the end of her shower she heard a rustling sound, she froze, then it came again, she turned off the water and stood completely still for what seemed like forever, then a tiny squeak reached her ears.

Eyes wide Sakura looked down at her feet, and right in front of her, stood a huge, fat rat. Sakura opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out, she hated rats!

Sasuke walked out of the Hokage tower, and made his way back to Sakura's apartment. He let his mind wonder back to his conversation with Kakashi.

"Ah, i see and have you asked her yet?" Kakashi's eyes krinkled up happily at his former student.

"No i havent, not yet" Sasuke replied.

"Well im sure she wouldnt say no, so its safe to say, yes, your request has been granted". he stamped the form and sasuke gave his thanks and made his leave.

Sasuke smirked to himself, he was planning on asking her when he got back to the apartment. He opened the door about five minutes later, it was quiet.

Sasuke furrowed his brows, she must be in her room, he slowly made his way towards the hallway.

Sakura tried to move slightly but the rat just moved with her, so she stood frozen, for who knows how long. Gathering up courage she decided to bolt for her bathroom door, she ran full speed out of her bedroom when she crashed into something hard in the living room.

Sakura felt an arm wrap around her. Sakura looked up to the person she ran into almost in slow motion, that's when she saw a sight that made her heart sink to her stomach.. standing in front of her was Sasuke his eyes just as wide. A funny squeak left her mouth. Her thoughts running wild.

"Sasuke-kun"!!! She squealed " Oh my God!! Sasuke looked down and quickly dropped his arm back to his side a deep blush plastered his face.

She backed up half a second later and stood her face grew bight red as he stood up , then she realized she was completely naked, she flung her arms around herself and threw herself behind the couch to cover herself.

"Your home, I thought you'd be gone for awhile"! Sakura managed voice shaking

Sasuke had turned his back to her, "I came back early" he said flatly.

(Hadn't he heard her) she wondered. Then it hit her, no he hadn't because she stood gawking at that stupid rat for like ten minutes making no noise and shower off. Sakura face palmed herself, she couldn't believe this just happened.

"I'm so sorry Sasuke-kun", there was a rat in the shower with me and I ran and... with face still burning red, Sakura trailed off, she knew it was pointless to explain at this point

" No its my fault, I should have checked to see where you were by sensing your chakra ." he spoke apologetically, back still to her.

Completely mortified, Sakura took off quickly to her bathroom slamming the door behind her. Her heart was pounding like a gong, her mind couldn't fully grasped what had just happened, Sasuke had seen her naked!

She slid to the ground, back to the bathroom door, she really hoped that she hadn't ruined the progress they had been making since he came back to Konoha.

On top of it all she saw no sign of the rat in her shower, (great) she thought, now that thing is running around the house.

Later at the hospital, Sakura almost literally stumbled through her shift, she was so preoccupied, with her thoughts about what happened earlier that day, that she paid attention to almost nothing.

She had just got done seeing a patient when she started into the hallway, that's when she heard her name echo through the halls.

"Sakura-chan"!! Yelled an all to familiar voice.

Sakura turned, "Naruto-ku-

When she turned to greet Naruto, she was horrified to see Sasuke with him, she swallowed hard, and put on her best smile and waved at Naruto. " Hey, how have you been"? She said trying to act natural.

She noticed as they walked up Sasuke wasn't looking at her at all, she didn't need to wonder why. "Oi, Sakura Chan, I waited here earlier for you, but Granny Tsunade said you were running late, where were you"! I got injured on a mission and you know I hate hospitals and won't allow anyone to heal me but you"! Naruto rambled, while pouting

Sakura smiled nervously, " I Uh, had a rough morning, she tried.

" Why, was Sasuke here being a jerk to you?" He said jokingly, then he turned to Sasuke and his smile faded. Sasuke was staring at the floor avoiding eye contact with Sakura still. He looked back to Sakura who also looked down.

Naruto's face grew serious, and turned to Sasuke, " Bastard what did you do"! He yelled at Sasuke. Still not looking up he yelled "Nothing you idiot"! annoyance heavy in his words

"Naruto, it wasn't his fault, dont yell at Sasuke-kun"! She smiled nervously again, " Just a little rodent problem".

Naruto didn't look convinced, Sakura never could lie to him, but he didn't press any further. He sighed, "Well anyways now that I caught you, do you mind a quick healing session", he said with a huge grin.

Sakura smiled genuinely this time, "Sure".

Sasuke stayed in the waiting room while Sakura healed Naruto. "How's Hinata", Sakura said trying to strike up a conversation. "She's great", he said smiling.

"But what's really going on with you and Sasuke". He stared at her, his face became very serious.

Sakura sighed " Nothing much..I guess that's the problem", Sakura quickly closed her mouth, she forgot how easy it was to talk to Naruto. She had been worried about their relationship, especially after this morning.

She began healing a cracked rib he suffered. After awhile Naruto spoke up, "Sasuke loves you Sakura-chan, I know he does", he said this like he knew something she didn't.

" Sometimes I wonder, honestly I'm not even sure what we are to each other right now", she spoke softly. She was fighting back tears.

Naruto looked at her with a soft smile on his face, "Sakura-chan, Sasuke came back.. because of you".

Sakura's eyes widened at his statement, her mystic palm receeded, " How do you know that"? She asked she had a feeling he was only trying to ease her worry.

"Because, Naruto said, " Because of what the letter I sent him had said."

What letter, Naruto"!? Sakura wanted an explanation and she wanted it now

Naruto met her gaze, silent for a moment he explained. "After the exploding human incident, when we were walking, when you mentioned Sasuke being just like the leaf police force.. Naruto trailed off.

"Yeah and".. Sakura urged

" Well during mine and Sasuke's final battle, when we were bleeding out, and dying.. somehow both of our lives flashed before our eyes.. and when Sasuke was younger, before the massacre, he wanted to become part of the police force, as his father was the Captain, it was his dream, just like me being the Hokage". He spoke as if lost in another time.

Sakura smiled.

"In the letter I sent him, I mentioned you and how of you thought of his actions, the way he operated from behind the scenes made him like the konoha police force, then weeks later he showed up in the village, at your house."

Sakura's heart skipped a beat, then she suddenly hung her head, " It must be just a coincidence", she said sadly, she didn't want to get her hopes up for nothing.

"No way, I know Sasuke better than anyone, and I know your words meant a lot to him", Naruto said sternly.

Sakura shifted her gaze to the floor she smiled softly, and her heart filled with hope at Naruto' s words.

"You know Sasuke isn't one to initiate anything emotional, Hell I had to almost beat him to death to make him understand he was my friend and I would never give up on him", Naruto chuckled.

This made Sakura laugh. That Naruto he always knew how to give a pep talk.

"Thank you Naruto", Sakura said gratitude dripping in her words. "Hey I did promise I'd bring Sasuke back to you, I meant that in more ways than one, Naruto gave her a thumbs up. Sakura's heart leapt with joy.

"Naruto".. Sakura couldn't help but hug her friend. Naruto returned the hug, "Hey just because I use to have a crush on you didn't mean I never saw what was between you and Sasuke" Naruto said in her ear.

"What"? "What do you mean?", she pulled from the hug confused.

"You never noticed"? "Ha", he always acted and spoke different to you, and the way he looked at you sometimes.. and after the chunin exams, it's like you two had your own language or somethin" haha".

"And that day... in the hospital after Granny Tsunade healed him, the way he leaned into your hug, he didn't shy away, after that I felt like I couldn't compete for you anymore, I knew from then on you two were meant for each other, also one of many reasons I was in so much competition with him, Naruto flashed a toothy grin.

Sakura's eyes filled with tears, she smiled coyly and said, "and yet you still continued to flirt with me, shame on you", she said teasingly pretending to scold him.

"Haha, What can I say, I never know when to quit", he laughed.

Sakura laughed "Well you have never been one to lose gracefully".

After Naruto' s healing session they walked out to the waiting area where Sasuke was still sitting.

Sakura looked at him and gave a real smile this time, her talk with Naruto had made her completely forget about what happened that morning. He gave her a smirk in response, and she swore she saw a wave of relief wash over his face.

"Oh yeah by the way I'm dragging you both to a party tonight, see ya then", Naruto dropped the information then ran off. Sasuke and Sakura just looked at each other and shrugged.