Hi guys, I know updates have been very slow but I'll work on that. Meanwhile enjoy this new chapter.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Naruto! It belongs to Kishimoto Masashi!

Hidden Secrets and a Plot

"Sakura..."

She turned "Who is it"

In a pool of blood, laid Sasuke's limp body. A rush of panic hit Sakura "S-Sasuke...!" she stammered and ran to him, but she never got there. She reached out her hand as Sasuke just slipped further from her. Sakura fell.

"She's awake!"

Sakura's eyes shot open. She looked up, the bright light hurting her eyes. Was it... day time? Slowly, the green orbs dart across the room as they took time to focus. She recognized the woman standing next to her bed. She was a nurse at Konoha's General Hospital. Does that mean she was back at the village? Her memories were hazy, she remembered that she was sent on a mission. And then-

She gasped and just in time, her room door slid open roughly and hit the bump with a loud bang.

Two young men, panting and shoulders heaving. Stood at her door. But they weren't just any two young men, they were her two young men. Sasuke... he was fine...

Thank god... Sakura's eyes landed on the raven-haired Uchiha whom she thought had died, but here he was, standing in front of her, looking sweaty and tired. How long have I been sleeping?

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto was first to speak, he lunged at Sakura. Throwing his arms around her and sobbing words Sakura could not understand as it was muffled in her hospital robe. She gave his blonde teammate a light pat on the back and rubbed it gently as she smiled. He was still the same Naruto. She pushed all the thoughts of the Kyuubi away. Naruto is Naruto, the Kyuubi is the Kyuubi. She looked down almost in a motherly way at Naruto's back before her eyes travelled up a pair of camo green pants and met the obsidian eyes of Uchiha Sasuke. Her heart began to race, clearly being showed in the monitor next to her bed. Her cheeks turned bright red seeing that she'd been exposed. She quickly looked away and let go of Naruto.

She gave a nervous laugh and smiled "Good to see you both fine" she said rather softly. "You really scared us there, Sakura-chan!" he said. "How are you feeling now?" Sasuke asked, surprisingly. "Great!" chirped Sakura, she attempted to get off the bed. Before realizing she can't gather the strength to hold herself. Sasuke held her up. Geez how long as she been out?

"E-Eh? I can't move myself" she said, slightly panicking. "You should stay in bed" said Sasuke, helping her get back on the bed. "Thanks..." she said, sounding a little depressed. "How long have I been unconscious?" she asked. Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other "a week"

Sakura felt a stab in the heart. What exactly happened...?

Just then, there was a thunderous bang and the door was flung open. "Sakura! You up?"

"Tsunade-sama...!" gasped Sakura. "Prepare yourself for a week's worth of paperwork! What kind of a medic nin would exhaust herself to the extent of falling into a coma for a week!" Tsunade said roughly, but anyone could tell she was worried for her own student, the Hokage doesn't come visit just anyone for being unconscious for a week.

Sakura smiled "Yes, Tsunade-sama"

Tsunade nodded "Good to see you awake, Sakura" she turned to the nurse "Give her an A Level checkup" she said. The young nurse was immediately at alert "Yes ma'am" she squeaked and disappeared out the room to get ready. Tsunade crossed her arms "Do you remember what happened before you blacked out" she said.

Sakura's brows furrowed, what happened before she blacked out

'I love you'

Sakura's face turned red. I don't think that's relevant information.

"I-I'm not quite sure, but I do remember-" she gasped and turned to Sasuke "Sasuke!" she cried suddenly then lunged at him from the bed and lifted his shirt. "S-Sakura?" The rosette look at his smooth pale abs. Scar less and wound free. "The wound Naruto gave you... it's not there. You were supposed to be dead" she said, looking up at him. "Hah?" said Tsunade. "Sakura-chan, I think you must've hit your head pretty hard" said Naruto. "No, she's right. I died" said Sasuke, pulling his shirt back down.

"HAH?"

Naruto grabbed Sasuke's face and began pulling on it "Does this mean you're a ghost?" he asked, slapping his face a little. Sasuke shoved him all the way to the other side of the room. "I didn't die died, but I felt like I was dead, before something pulled me back" said Sasuke. "Why wasn't this in your report?" said Tsunade. "I didn't think putting 'I died' in my report would be a very intelligent thing to do with no proof" said Sasuke. "Sakura, do you remember doing anything before you passed out? Because Sasuke and Naruto's wounds were completely gone when they woke up and found you" said Tsunade.

The nurse came in with all the needed utensils. As she performed the procedures on the rosette, Sakura thought hard. "It felt like... my heart exploding" she muttered. "What do you mean" said Tsunade. "When Sasuke's pulse stopped, I don't know. Maybe my mind couldn't handle it or something. I felt all the chakra in me just explode out"

"You'd better rest for these few days" said Tsunade, her expression sinking as she left the room "You'll be released from the hospital in a few days" she said before closing the door.

"Alright, say 'aaaa'"

Sakura opened her mouth "Aaaa"

After a couple more minutes, the nurse bowed at the door and shut it. Leaving the rosette alone with her teammates. "AH! I was supposed to go meet Yamato-senpai for training!" Sakura jumped at Naruto's sudden outburst. "Sorry, Sakura-chan. I'll come visit you again tomorrow" he said before opening the window and jumping out, leaving it open. Sasuke sighed and walked over to close the window.

"Sasuke" He paused at the sudden call of his name."Yeah?" he answered, placing his hands at the window and pushing it down.

There was a pregnant pause. Sakura began "I-I was wondering..."her soft voice trailed off. "If I heard you during the last moments of my life?" finished Sasuke. "Right?" he turned around to look at her. "So you heard what I said...?" said Sakura, sounding nervous. "Every word" Sasuke added.

"Oh..."

"I'll give you an answer right now" said Sasuke. Sakura looked up, surprised "N-N-Now...?"

Sasuke took hold of her chin and leaned over, Sakura's hands clenched her white sheets as she felt him gently brushing his lips on hers. He straightened to take a look at her expression. Sakura was looking down at her clenched hands, biting her lips and her face growing redder by the second. Sasuke smirked. "S-S-So..." Sakura cleared her throat. "A-Are we... married now?"

Sasuke choked on air. "M-Married?"

"Y-Yeah... Ino lent me a novel. The couple in the story k-kissed and got married" said Sakura. Sasuke stopped himself from laughing out loud. "You must've missed the most important part. You have to agree to be my girlfriend first" he said. sliding his hands into his pockets. "Girl...friend? Wasn't I your friend and a girl before?" said Sakura. "Yeah, but now. You belong to me and I only belong to you" said Sasuke, he cupped her cheeks and touched his forehead against hers.

Sakura, seemingly getting the idea, smiled.

The door opened. "Sakura-san, I have your-"

The nurse paused as Sakura and Sasuke looked at her. "O-Oh! was I interrupting something ? I'm so sorry. I'll just... put this here" she said said, quickly setting down the tray of food at a nearby table and speed walked out the room, eyes glued to the floor.

"Did we do something to her?" said Sakura. Sasuke shrugged

Sasuke placed the tray on her lap and pulled a chair next to her bed to sit. "Do you want some?" said Sakura, using her spoon to point at the plate of curry and rice. He shook his head silently and just watched as she ate, hunched against the chair and hands limp on his thigh. "Sasuke"

"Hm?"

"About Orochimaru and the Akatsuki..."

"We lost"

"So we did... At least we're alive, it proves we've improved" said Sakura.

"No, That just proved we're not strong enough" he said.

Sakura took in another spoonful. They were quiet for some time, not knowing how to lift the atmosphere.

The next day, Sakura's ward was bombarded with the whole Konoha 12 and Team Yamato. "Why aren't you guys on missions?" asked Sakura. "We just came back, and heard you were you finally woke up" said Ino. Akamaru barked "Hey Kiba! Isn't there a no pets policy in the hospital?" shouted Naruto.

Akamaru growled at Naruto "Akamaru's not a pet. He's a ninja-hound" corrected Kiba. "Sakura-san! Are you okay now? I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you! BUT! Getting injured is part of the blossoming of your rich youth!" shouted Lee, half sobbing. "God, Lee. You're so embarrassing" said Tenten. "YOUTH!" he suddenly shouted. "Sorry, Sakura. Is he being too noisy, I'll kick him out now" said Tenten, pulling on Lee's ear "Ow ow ow ow, Tenten you're hurting me"

"It's alright. It feels nice having some excitement in here" said Sakura. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Tenten let go of Lee's ear. "Ah... Sakura-san. Your kindness is on par with your youthful beauty!" said Lee, with his hand on his heart.

"Sakura! I don't know what I would've done if you didn't wake up" said Takuya, taking her by the hand. He could feel a glare drilling into his head. He looked to the other side of the bed where Sasuke was drilling holes with his eyes. So the glaring contest began, suddenly everyone in the room felt really uncomfortable. "Those two are at it again..." said Tenten, rubbing the back of her head. "No one can stop them now" muttered Neji.

"You two seem to be getting along well" smiled Sakura. Eventually their glares subsided, and the two of them looked away from each other with a huff. Takuya still refused to let go of Sakura's hand, giving Sasuke no choice. He walked over to Sakura and pushed a kiss onto her cheek. Earning him the stares of everyone in the room then there was silence before Naruto ruined it "TEME WHAT DID YOU JUST DO?"

Takuya joined him "That's sexual harassment!" he pointed at the raven head. Sasuke raised an eyebrow 'I don't want to hear that from you' he thought. "Get your hands off Sakura-chan!" roared Takuya. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the brown-haired latter. "Ah, It's fine. Cause Sasuke's my boyfriend now" smiled Sakura.

"EHHHHHH!"

"H-H-How did this happen! No- WHEN! SAKURA-CHAN WHEN!" Takuya knelt down on the ground and looked up at Sakura, as if he was begging for something. "Yesterday afternoon" answered Sakura. The girls pushed the guys out of the room and surrounded Sakura's bed, like flocks of bird crowding around breadcrumbs. "How did you do it, Sakura!" urged Ino.

"Which one of you asked?" said Tenten.

"D-D-Did you confess...?" asked Hinata.

"E-Erm..." exclaimed Sakura, nervously. Not knowing who to answer first.

"Tell us!" the three girls chorused.

Sakura jumped a little before looking down at her sheets, her cheeks turning rosy, she smiled. "I don't really know what happened. I didn't realize how much I loved him till he was bleeding to death in my arms" said Sakura as if that was the most usual thing in the world. The atmosphere immediately changed from intense to pure sympathy "P-Poor Sasuke..." said Ino. Tenten and Hinata nodded. Sakura looked at them in a weird way, wondering what's wrong with their expression.

Ino sighed, "I can't confess to Shikamaru on his death bed..." Ino muttered almost inaudibly. Tenten made a perverted face at her. "W-What!" snapped Ino. "If you really like him then you should just confess to him already" said Tenten. Ino frowned and turned away from Tenten in a huff "It's not as simple as taking a bull by its horns, what if he rejects me then every time we're together it'll be too awkward. And it will get in the way of missions" said Ino. Tenten sat down on the bed and rubbed her chin thoughtfully "Now that you pointed that out..." Tenten said, nervously.

"That shouldn't be the case. If you confess to them you'll feel a lot better. Whether they accept or not is not important, it's the fact that you managed to gather the courage to tell them your feelings. If they reject then you'll just go back to being friends" said Sakura. Everyone looked at her, surprised that the densest of them all had just giving them all advice on love. The sky must be falling.

"S-Sakura-san's right..." muttered Hinata. Tenten rubbed the back of her head nervously and Ino looked down. "Hehe, I never thought of it as simple as that" said Tenten. The door slid open all of the sudden "I believe you girls have hogged Sakura for long enough" said Sasuke. Ino bear hugged Sakura "We're not giving her back" she mocked him and stuck her tongue out. Sasuke raised his eyebrows "We can't have that now can we" he said.

"No way..."

They only saw his legs widen.

And there he was, sitting at Sakura's bedside. 'So fast...!' the girls thought. "Oi teme! Unlock the door!" they heard Naruto cry from outside. "AHHH TSUNADE BAA-CHA- NGOOA" they could heard Naruto's head being smashed into the floor and the others escaping. "You morons! This is a hospital not a ninja playground where you can shout all you want!" Tsunade roared. She nearly ripped the door out when she opened it. She glared at everyone in the room. "Visiting times are over, Sakura needs to rest. Everyone needs to leave" she said, her hands on her hips.

Everyone nodded stiffly. "See ya, Sakura" "Get well soon" "T-Thanks for the advice..." Ino, Tenten and Hinata bade her before quickly stepping out of the room. Sasuke stood his ground for awhile "When I said everyone, that includes you too, Sasuke" said Tsunade, eyes narrowing at Sasuke. "Well I tried" he muttered then bent down to give Sakura a kiss on the cheek before exiting the room. As he turned to the hallways he took the trouble to drag Naruto's beaten up corpse along.

Tsunade sighed "I'm not getting any younger with them around" said Tsunade. Sakura shrugged "Boys will be boys" she smiled. Tsunade chuckled "Rest well, Sakura" said Tsunade. Sakura nodded as her mentor left the room, leaving her along once more. Sakura looked down at her sheets, unconsciously her hands clenched at the sheets, she scowled.

The next morning...

BOOOM

"Gahh...!"

Sasuke was send pummeling to the ground, back skidding against the dirt then tumbling backwards then against a tree.

"Naive, Sasuke. If I was seriously trying to kill you, you'd be dead right now"

"Shut up!"

Clang. Clang. Tiiing.

Sasuke swung a kick at Itachi before he disappeared. Sasuke threw the kunai he was holding towards his right, with a quick switch. Itachi turned into a log, the kunai stabbed into it before exploding. Sasuke activated his sharingan and they immediately came in contact with Itachi's. He canceled out Itachi's attempt to cast an illusion on him then flung a handful of shuriken at him. Itachi countered with his own without problem.

The two broke out into a shuriken war, both pulling the throwing stars out of their wrists that already have the seal tattooed, allowing them to summon it and throw it in a split second. Both equally matched, till-

"Katon, Goukakyuu no Jutsu"

Sasuke's eyes widened 'When did he-' He leaped out of the way before he was engulfed by the violent flames. He pulled a Chidori out of nowhere and started to run at Itachi, the older Uchiha carefully dodged Sasuke's lunges. 'An opening...!' Sasuke shoved a hand Itachi's face-

Caught, his hand wouldn't budge. He was caught. "You're still naive, Sasuke" mocked Itachi.

Shing.

"The naive one is you, Nii-san"

"Oh?"

Itachi smirked at the blade on his neck. Sasuke's Kusanagi. "Let's stop here" Sasuke pulled back and sheathed his sword, dispelling his clone as well. The Itachi turned out to be a clone and well and exploded into a flock of crows. As he walked to the trees so that he may past the training area and get to town, the real Itachi was waiting for him on a branch. "Going to see Sakura again, I see" said Itachi. Sasuke picked up his towel from the ground and hung it around his neck and ignored his brother. The sun was just beginning to rise as he exits the forest and into the town where everything was beginning to wake. He stopped at a public tap and turned it on before pulling his head underneath, letting the water run through, washing away all the dirt and dust stuck in his hair from training.

Moments later he lifted his head and gave it a little shake, sending drops of water everywhere before he pulled a towel over his raven head and began to walk to the hospital as he dried his hair.

The hospital hasn't opened for visitors yet, however Sasuke wasn't going in through the front door. 3rd floor, 4th window from the left. He was going through her window. In a flash he crouched next to her window, he gave the window a push to find that it's unlocked. "Oi oi, that's dangerous" he scowled then slipped inside.

The little rosette was still asleep, he ruffled his hair and approached her bedside. She stirred, he paused. She was facing him now 'That vulnerable sleeping face' He couldn't help but to reach out and touch her.

In a swift motion, Sakura swung an instinctive punch at him. Sasuke had nearly forgotten about Sakura's childhood habit of defending herself in her sleep. He caught her fist and opened up her hands, slipping his fingers between hers. "Mm... Sasuke?" Her eyes opened slightly then smiled. He sat down on the chair at her bedside. She sat up, he protested. "You need to rest"

She pushed his hands away "It's fine, I can do that anytime I want" Sasuke could hear it in her voice, something's on her mind that's bothering her. "Sasuke? Your hands are cold..." she said, rubbing his hands. She looked up and met his eyes "Have you been training again?" she asked.

Sasuke didn't answer, instead Sakura smiled at him "You shouldn't leave your hair like that, you'll catch a cold" Sasuke lowered his head so that she didn't need to reach that far to get to his head. She helped him dry his hair the best they could go with only a towel. But what she wasn't aware of was his blushing face underneath the towel.

"Ah, I forgot. The doctor says I can be released in another few days" she said. "I see... that's good" said Sasuke. Sakura nodded. "What are you thinking about, Sakura?" he asked. Sakura looked down at her hands. "As I am now, I can't do anything" she muttered then turned to Sasuke then reached out to touch his stomach "That wound... You flinch whenever someone tries to touch it. Even though it has completely closed, it's still there" said Sakura, a tint of sadness showing in her eyes "If only I wasn't so naive and weak..."

"You're not the only one that feels that way... Naruto... Me.. You don't have to blame yourself" said Sasuke. sniff. Sasuke looked at her, surprised. She was, crying? "-hic- I know that -hic- I knew you would say that... -hic- I knew.. -hic- yet I... I can't... stop crying..." Sakura made a fail attempt to cover her tears by wiping them continuously on her sleeve. Sasuke was at loss for words, so he reacted instinctively. He stood and pulled Sakura into a hug, unconsciously stroking her hair as he ran his hands up and down her back to help ease her trembling.

He didn't say anything at first, rather he didn't know what to say. But Sakura could understand the boy just fine. She buried her face into his collar. Then finally he spoke. "I'll become even stronger" They stayed still "I'll become even stronger so just watch, you don't have to do anything. I'll become so strong the akatsuki won't know what hit them." Sasuke tightened his grip around Sakura "Heh, so you won't have to cry like this ever again... okay?"

The tears overwhelmed Sakura she couldn't help but whimper a small reply "Okay... okay..."

Meanwhile in meeting between the Hokage and the village elders...

Tsunade slammed a palm on top of the desk. "What is the meaning of this!"

"Exactly what it sounds like, it's too risky for squadron 7 to be send out of missions, not with Orochimaru and The Akatsuki at large."

"We must not let them have their way at all costs"

"Whatever they're plotting cannot be good for the sake of the future"

Tsunade clenched up hands on top of the order scroll, waiting for her to place her signature. She threw it off the table "But that doesn't give you the right to ban them from taking any further missions outside of the village. It's just as bad as ripping the wing off a butterfly." protested Tsunade.

The elderly man in the glasses, Homura Mitokado. And the old lady in the sash, Utatane Koharu. The two elders that always disagrees with Tsunade. She used to hate their guts, but now she hates them inside out. "You are still letting your personal feelings interfere with your decisions. You are still young, Tsunade-hime" said Koharu. "This is for the sake of the village, you must believe that. And for the sake of the village's future, sacrifices have to be made." said Mitokado.

Tsunade gritted her teeth "But they're still young! You can't expect us to just keep them here forever" Tsunade nearly shouted in their face, she straightened "Those kids... they have so much potential..." she scowled then glared at the elders "I refuse to sign such an order" concluded Tsunade. Then from the shadows came a new voice, deep and husky. "If the hokage refuses to sign it, the order can still be issue with the combined signatures of the village elders."

Tsunade clenched her fist and glared whole-heartedly at the newcomer of the conversation "Shimura... Danzo" she growled. "Fifth" Danzo addressed her back then turned to the elders "For the safety of squadron 7 and the village, this order must be issued. I am willing to lend my signature. The rest is up to you" said Danzo. Tsunade looked alarmed for a moment, she couldn't just stand by and let a bunch of old people push her around like that. She was the Hokage for god sake. Before anymore could be said, Tsunade cut in.

"3 months"

The elders looked at her "What are you getting at-"

Tsunade held up 3 fingers as gesture "Give them 3 months, and they will prove to you that they are capable of handling themselves"

"And if they do not meet our expectations?" said Danzo. "Then I shall sign the papers, myself" she said, eyes challenging Danzo. The atmosphere was intense, even Tsunade herself could feel the heat of the pressure. "Very well" Danzo said finally. "Well then I'll excuse myself" He nodded before returned to the darkness. "I hope you placed your bet on the right side this time, Tsunade-hime" said Koharu, standing up with Mitokado "We look forward watching their progress" he elder man said.

The door closed with a clackTsunade smirked "Heh... this is going to be a gamble..." she straightened and walked to the door 'So what will you do? Naruto, Sasuke... Sakura'

The night came all too quickly, Naruto sat at a bench in the park. All beaten up after his training and covered in dirt. He rubbed his hands together and felt the rough surface of his palm, his bright blue eyes had never looked so depressed. 'Ah, it's fine. Cause Sasuke's my boyfriend now'

In an instant his eyes widened and he clenched his hands together. 'Those two... looked so happy together...' he dropped his head and stared at the ground with those lifeless eyes. The happy faces of Sakura and Sasuke taunting him. He shook his head and shooed away all the jealousy he felt for them. 'What am I doing...! My best friend and my first love are so happy together, It's not right for me to be this depressed!' He suddenly sat up, and looked full of energy.

After awhile he flopped back and slumped down on the bench like cloth being hung out. "Ah... I guess it's impossible for me to be happy whole heartedly for them..." He threw his arm over his eyes "I'm sorry guys..." he muttered. His body felt so full of fatigue, so tired, he himself drifting asleep. Till there was a presence.

A familiar presence.

He moved his arm away from his eyes. "N-Naruto-k-kun are you okay?" the petit, opal eyed girl asked him, her bright eyes shining under the moonlight. In fact, her eyes reminded him a lot of the moon. "Hinata? What are you doing out so late at night" he asked. "O-Oh... I was e-erm..." she looked down at her bruising hands then quickly hid them behind her back "J-Just taking a walk" she muttered then looked at Naruto "W-What about... N-Naruto-kun" she asked. Naruto paused then faked a laughed "Just taking a walk" he said. Hinata looked down "M-May I?" she said, looking at the seat next to him.

Naruto turned to where she was looking and jumped aside "Of course". The dark haired girl settled herself next to the blonde. Then there was silence, it seemed like neither of them knew what to say, because usually Naruto would be loud mouthedly boasting about himself and how godly his technique is.

So this time, Hinata gathered the courage to speak first "D-Does it bother you?" she paused "Sakura-chan and Sasuke-kun's relationship" she added. Naruto's eyes widened then he laughed it off "So you found out" he grinned cheekily. Hinata did not speak, Naruto sighed then cried out "Ahh! Damn that Sasuke! He got to her before I could!" he cried out in frustration then threw his hands over his head "Well, I knew I didn't stand a chance in the first place." He twitched "When those two get married I'm so going to crash their wedding" said Naruto rather determinedly then laughed loudly before lowering his head again. Hinata was playing her thumbs on her lap as she listened. He buried his head in his hand as if he wanted to cry.

He felt a soft touch on his back, patting softly "I think... Naruto-kun isn't jealous over the fact that Sasuke-kun won over Sakura-chan's heart. I think he's worried about his friendship with his teammates..." Hinata said. Naruto didn't move from his position "That might be so...I was just thinking... Would they forget about me once they have each other...?" muttered Naruto but Hinata heard it just fine. Hinata sat back on the bench "Naruto-kun should believe in his teammates more" she said. Naruto looked at her, she was staring at the sky, eyes gleaming under the moonlight, then she smiled "I don't think Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan are that forsake their comrades that easily" she looked at him "Believe in them"

Naruto slowly straightened, eyes mesmerized by Hinata who was usually so shy and quiet yet now he's here being lectured by her. He reached out-

Shhhk

"N-Naruto-kun...!"

"I'm sorry, let me stay like this for awhile"

Naruto had completely wrapped his arms around the small Hinata's body, leaning his head on her shoulder like a spoiled boy hugging his mother. Hinata's face was practically glowing red, she was thankful that he couldn't see. Hesitantly she moved her hand slowly up hug him back, patting his back soothingly. "Thank you... Hinata" he let go of her then gave her a wide grin. He looked down and noticed her hands were covered in wounds "You've been training again, haven't you" he said. Hinata realized her hands were exposed, "A-Ah... yeah" she said. "Just a little training..." she trailed off "Even I want to get stronger" she muttered. Naruto smiled with his teeth "Then let's work hard and get stronger together" he said, holding out his hand. Hinata looked at it, her have turning red as she took it. His hands were so warm and so rough. This could very well be the happiest night of her life.

A week have passed since Sakura was released from the hospital, the guys are training extra hard and Sakura's busy in the library, researching about her kekkei genkai and the possibilities of a Pure resurrection technique. Tsunade watched closely at their progress and ceased giving them missions so that they have more time to train.

The three trained separately and rarely met, sometimes the boys wouldn't even come home at all and Sakura would be caught spending the night at the library. When Sasuke had time he would search the village for Sakura but he always finds her in the same place.

"Library again" it was more of a statement than a question. Sakura looked up from her book and her face immediately lightened "On training break?" she asked. He pulled on the chair next to hers and sat down "Nii-san had been sent out on a mission" he said. Sakura closed the heavy book and pushed it aside before opening another book. Being able to read this many books in such a short time isn't something a human can do. Sasuke looked around in Sakura's area of the library which was stacked with books about chakra and techniques. Sakura frowned "I feel like I'm so close, but I'm missing the main point... what is it" she leaned on her hand on the table and sighed.

Sasuke grabbed her hand, causing her to jump at his touch. "Walk with me " he said, stoically. "O-Oh okay" the rosette obeyed quietly as he led her out the library and into the sunlight. Sakura hadn't notice she'd been in the library for 2 days already. The instant her body remembered the fatigue washed over her like a wave. Her knees felt weak and then suddenly she felt weightless.

"It's not good for you health if you coop up like that" Sasuke told her as he took a walk on the rooftops of Konoha, taking a shortcut to the empty Uchiha district. "I-It's fine, I can walk by myself!" squeaked Sakura. Sasuke didn't let her down and before she knew it, they were in her room only then did he allow himself to let go of her. "Get some sleep, you can continue your research once you wake up" he said, walking out.

He felt something tug at his sleeve. "Take a nap with me" she beamed brightly at him. Sasuke's hand flew to his mouth to hide his growing blush, he stepped back and away from Sakura who took it as a rejection. "Ah, it's okay... if you don't want to" she mumbled and looked down.

"Okay"

Sakura looked up to and their eyes met, Sasuke still had the lower half of his face hidden. "I-It's just a nap" he stuttered, mentally beating himself up for doing that. Sakura smiled and crawled into bed as Sasuke settled himself down next to her for her nap though Sasuke could do nothing of the sort, his heart was trying to slam a hole in his chest, his head felt dizzy from her scent and his body is reacting violently just by being on the same bed as Sakura. He had to stay focus or he'll lose himself.

The rosette was always snoring lightly, the raven head couldn't help but turn to look at her. Once he started he could no longer look away, her hair falling all over her gentle face and how her lips slightly pouted as she slept. He etched closer to her and watched her sleep in peace.

He blinked and suddenly had a strange feeling, it was as if he-

as if he slept like this with Sakura before- He must be too tired, he should try sleeping too.

Psssshhhh

Sakura plucked her eyes open, Sasuke wasn't there and the shower was running. He must've went to take a shower. Sakura grinned cheekily and hugged the sheets that now smell like Sasuke. 'If I were to get married to Sasuke...' she looked towards her bathroom door 'then mornings would most probably be like this' she giggled inwardly then rolled around on bed. She paused 'If Sasuke and I were to have a child... what would we name him/her?' Sakura rolled over to lie on her stomach and thought it through.

By the time Sasuke came out of the showers she hasn't moved from the spot. "Sakura?" said Sasuke, still blur from the fact he took a shower in Sakura's room and currently have Sakura's towel wrapped around his ehem . He stared at the pink haired girl swinging her legs up and down on the bed. She smiled at him "Hi Sasuke"

Sasuke looked down at the towel that's separating her and his manhood then back at Sakura. "S-Sorry" he stammered "It's fine, I'll just wash it later" said Sakura. Sasuke lowered his head in a nod and dashed out the room to his own.

How could he be so careless! He should've noticed the shampoo bottle was a lot lighter than his own (They use the same shampoo) No wonder the toilet looked a bit unfamiliar. What's Sakura gonna think. He mentally groaned and buried his face in his hands first he should put something on and return Sakura's towel. After Sasuke put himself in his usual ninja outfit he looked back at the pale pink towel on his bed. She's going to think he's some kind of freak that wants to use her toiletries and towel but he wasn't too far from that for someone that sniffed her hair when she was asleep. He slammed his forehead on his fist.

At that moment Sakura witness the whole process. "Sasuke...?" she gasped, then dropped the laundry basket with his clothes in it. She grabbed his arm as if afraid he'd hurt himself with his own fist, which he did. "What's wrong? Does it hurt anywhere?" she asked him in a hurry. "Ah, no, I was just-" he cut himself short and just stared at Sakura, not know what to say. Oh I just felt like punching myself or I felt like a dork next to you so I punched myself. He can't say that!

Sakura touched his forehead "Ah...look what you did to your forehead. Looks painful..." her light fingertips felt like feathers brushing across his forehead. Ah, she was waaaay too close to his face, now he's dizzy. Whether it was cause of his own punch or Sakura he didn't know, but he suspected it to be both. He couldn't help but stare into her eyes as she soothed his bruising forehead, if only she knew the reason for that injury. "What got into you, Sasuke?" she asked. "Huh?" he said blankly then pulled himself back from her eyes "Oh, just... muscle spasm" he muttered the last part, not very fond of lying to his girlfriend.

Sakura held his arm "Should be fine now" she examined his wrist, pressing pressure points to check. Sasuke smiled a little then pulled from her grip then slipped his fingers between hers. "Yeah I'm fine now"

Sakura looked at their intertwined fingers then smiled, she looked out the window behind Sasuke. "Ah! It's already evening!" she pulled away from Sasuke's hand "I'll go take a shower then make dinner" she said, but before she stepped out of Sasuke's room, she paused then turned and Sasuke watched as her eyes scanned the room. She lunged at something, a white towel. Sasuke's towel. "Payment for using my towel" she stuck out her tongue then smiled before running out the door.

Sasuke smirked.

During dinner, everything was back to normal, it was their first meal together ever since Sakura's release from the hospital and how Sasuke missed Sakura's cooking. Team Kakashi was being torn apart, Naruto and Sasuke would be off somewhere with Jiraiya and Itachi then Sakura would live in the library for days and not come out.

Is this really the way to get stronger?

"Are you going back to the library tomorrow?" asked Sasuke. Sakura shook her head "I've already read through everything related to chakra there. I was hoping to use the Uchiha archive to further my research" said Sakura. "Go ahead, this house is yours as well" said Sasuke. Sakura smiled "Seconds?" she asked Sakura. Sasuke said nothing but hand her his bowl.

The next morning...

Sakura awoke only to catch the flash of Sasuke dashing out the front porch then jumping off, astray from Sakura's sight, she decided to do the laundry first before leaving to camp in the archive. She'd never been there that many times, every time she's in there she felt like she was prying at other people's life. In this case, Sasuke's. But she was going to have to overcome that if she were to find out anything about her chakra resurrection technique and how to use it again.

Little did she know that she was going to find out a lot more than what she wanted.

Next Chapter

"A picture...?"

"Sakura didn't come home last night"

"So you found out..."

"Their time is up!"

"The village is under attack!"

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