Author's Note: Happy New Year everyone! I hope y'all are bringing in positive vibes and everything with the arrival of the new year. I do have some good and bad news.

Bad News: This won't be a trilogy like I thought I wanted it to be. Also, there WILL NOT be Mpreg in this story either. I know, I know, you guys are going to hate me right now. I know I promised you Mpreg in both "Had It Not Been for You" and this story, but this story is actually going to be a lot longer than I thought I wanted it to be. However, that's where the good news comes in.

Good News: Since this story is coming out to be way longer than I anticipated, I have decided to split the events up like the anime did. So, "Dreamers" will end when the Fourth War ends, but the third story will be a continuation of this series. I hope this is god news for you guys as it is for me. This is just make things easier on me and how the story will progress. After thinking it over and going back to research the series, I have decided that I want to develop the characters a lot different from the original series. I have some new ideas I am excited to try out and hope they turn out as great as I want them to. With that being said, this leaves room for plenty of changing opportunity and assistance from you guys. I believe this story is just as much mine as it is all of you guys', so I am happy to have you guys offer suggestions for what you would like to see in future chapters. For anyone with a suggestion, comment, opportunity, please send it to me in a pm and I'll see if I can work it in and, of course, credit you. Again, I am sorry that you guys won't see a pregnant Sasuke just yet, but I do promise that it is coming, and it won't be quick. I also hope that this will help you guys see how I want to develop the characters the way I wish they had been developed. Tell me what you guys think in the reviews and pms. Hope to hear from you guys. Love y'all.

Badbutt94

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Chapter 32: Sakura's Answer: Part 1

Sakura's P.O.V.

"Stupid Ino. How dare she try to stop Sasuke and I from being together. She's just jealous that Sasuke-kun has always liked me more than her. I knew I couldn't trust her when she said that she didn't like him anymore. Of course, that pig would lie. The nerve of her,"

I huff as I carry my bag to the hospital. About a month has passed since Naruto and Sasuke came home and Lady Tsunade put me in charge of being his personal nurse. I was so excited to know that I'll be working with Sasuke-kun again. I had to tell someone, so naturally I told my best friend: Ino, over tea at her house. But, after I told her about how I was still in love with him and how I'm trying to get him use to me again, she had the nerve to assume he doesn't love me.

"I mean, where does she get off trying to destroy my hopes like that. Well, I'm glad her jealousy finally showed, and I can walk away from her and our "friendship". I knew she still was in love with him. All those years of consoling me were faked. She just wanted me to trust her, so she can steal him away from me without me noticing. Well, jokes on her because only Naruto and I can be near Sasuke-kun right now. Good luck trying to steal someone you can't get close to," I smirk at my thoughts.

Feeling confident, I enter the hospital and walk to my office. Since I have been doing so well with helping Lady Tsunade at the hospital, she allowed me to have my own office. Before visiting Sasuke in his prison cell, I make rounds in the hospital and care for patients Lady Tsunade can't see.

Once I enter my office, I restock my hospital bag, grab my white coat and tie my hair into a high ponytail. As I look in the mirror, I can see my hair has grown longer and now hangs off my shoulders slightly. I was thinking about cutting it and keeping my short hair style, but I miss having my long hair.

"I wonder if Sasuke-kun still likes girls with long hair?"

While those thoughts continue to run through my head, I continue observing myself. Thanks to all the training I've been doing, my muscles are more defined, especially in my arms. Since I don't have to train today, I choose to wear a simple red, sleeveless qipao top with white trimmings and my clan's symbol on the back. The top reaches to just above my knees and slips along the sides just above my waist. I choose to wear black shorts and high heels. I usually don't like to wear a lot of jewelry, so silver bracelets and a necklace with an emerald jewel as the pendent finishes my outfit.

Giving myself a final once over, I twirl around to every inch of my body. I don't get to look at myself in the mirror often, but every time I do, I'm in love with what I see. Looking back to my childhood, it's amazing to see how much more confident I am compared to back then. Sure, I mostly wanted to look nice enough to get Sasuke-kun to notice me. But now, it's nice to look good for myself occasionally. Satisfied with how I look in the mirror, I finish getting ready to visit the patients.

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I do rounds for about an hour before stopping to see my second to last patient. Both are waiting for me in the clinic part of the hospital. This is where people will minor issues (fever, colds, checkups, etc.) come to be examined quickly. This is something I volunteered for. I figured with me being a medical nin, I might as well get as much experience as possible.

When I reach the front of the clinic, the receptionist hands me the files for my last two patients.

"Naruto is here? Hn. It must be time for his final checkup from his fight with Sasuke and Danzo,"

I decide not to look at the second patient's file until after I finish Naruto's exam. With easy steps, I stride towards Naruto's room with the files under my arm.

Reaching his room, I knock three times and wait for him to answer. After hearing his response, I slowly open the door with a bright smile.

"Oi, Sakura-chan! How are you?" he says, smiling brightly at me.

"I'm fine. How about you? I haven't seen you in a while,"

"Yeah," he laughs nervously while scratching his head. "It seems we're always missing each other at the prison. What have you been up to?"

"Nothing much. I've been mostly helping Lady Tsunade with running the hospital and clinic. It's been great. I get to care for patients and gain more medical experience,"

"That's amazing. I'm so happy you're doing so well. Have you helped in any major surgeries or operations?"

"No, not yet. But, I'm sure with some of the missions and with the powerful enemies we have, it'll happen soon," I say while examining him. When I finish, I pull up a chair to update his chart. "How are you feeling? And pain or abnormalities you've noticed?"

"No, not that I can think of,"

I jot down some more info before closing his file. "Well, it seems you've healed up nicely. I don't see a need for you to come back unless something else happens. So, try to stay out of her as much as possible. You may heal fast, but I don't like having to keep bandaging you, ya know," I tease while flicking his forehead.

We laugh until silence engulfs the room. "How's Sasuke's injuries?"

"He didn't have any when he brought you home. I can't explain it, but it seems that any injuries he had were healed before he even entered the village. I can't say the same for his mental health,"

"Yeah, he's been through a lot. He doesn't talk to me when I visit him,"

"He does the same with me too. Are you seeing him today?"

"Yeah, I just had to come here and go to a meeting with Grandma Tsunade first. But, I'll be here a little later. How about you?"

I look down and shift my weight on my heels before answering, "Yeah. I'll be heading there in a little while," I continue to look down and sigh deeply while running my fingers through my pink locks. "What changed? We used to be so close, but now, it seems that he's miles away from us,"

Even though I'm not looking at him, I can see Naruto's head lower to his lap as his arms rest on his knees. "He's been through so much… He learned the truth of his clan and spiraled deeper into this sickening depression. I was worried I couldn't save him. Even what I did was dramatic, but I knew that if it wasn't, Sasuke wouldn't have snapped out of it. He was lost for a long time, Sakura. Only he can bring himself back to us,"

I take in his words with deep sorrow. Sasuke was never the most outgoing person, but he at least showed us sides of him he wouldn't with others. He made me feel special. I just wish I can feel special to him again. The feel of Naruto's hand on top of mine snaps me back to reality. I look up to see him giving a small smile.

"Give him time, Sakura. He'll come around. It won't be the same, but he'll eventually be comfortable with us again. He just needs time and for us to keep faith in him,"

I return his smile and nod as I hold his hands. "Thank you,"

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I said my goodbyes to Naruto before visiting my last patient. I close the door behind me to walk towards the next room. I shift the files to see who my next patient is. As I look at the files, I gasp at the name. I do the same knock before entering the room.

"Lee?"

The black-haired cheetah looks up and smiles wide at me.

"Sakura-chan?! I did not know you would be taking care of me! What an honor!"

"Yeah, I agree it's a shock. What are you even here for?"

His smile disappears as he lowers his head. "I think I sprang my ankle… again,"

I sigh but smile through it as I examine him. "Are you ever going to stop injuring yourself?"

"I cannot promise that I will stop injuring myself in hopes of obtaining Guy-sensei's level. He is the epitome of the Power of Youth! If I want to be great, I need to be better than him!" he shouts with his fist in the air and waterfall tears in his eyes.

"Well, if you keep injuring yourself, you're gonna end up in a wheel chair," I continue to examine his ankle, earning a hiss in pain. "Well, your ankle is sprung, that's for sure. I'll recommend this new pain medication I created to help with the healing. For now, try to stay off it, stretch, keep a cold compress on it. If the pain worsens or continues, come back and I'll send you to physical therapy. Other than that, I'll see you in three weeks to see how you're healing,"

"Yes, Sakura-chan!" he salutes.

I sigh with a sympathy smile before walking towards the door, "I'll see you later, Lee,"

"Sakura, wait," I stop in mid-step and turns towards him in interest. I can see him fidgeting under my gaze until he works up the courage to speak again. "I was wondering… would you be interested… in going on a date… with me… After I heal up of course,"

My heart feels heavy with his request. A request I know I can't fulfill. With a sad, heavy sigh, I turn towards him with my arms folded and my bottom lips being bitten.

"Lee… I'm sorry, I don't think… I mean I can't… I think you're confused…"

"I can't be confused about something I've known for a long time,"

My head shoots up to see his head still lowered and pink cheeks.

"What… do you mean?"

"I know you've always liked Sasuke-kun for a long time. I think maybe since before we were in the academy. But, I've always loved you for a long time too. I know you looked at me as an annoyance when we first officially met at the Chunin Exams. But, I meant what I said. I love you, Sakura-chan. I have always loved you and I think I always will. Seeing you trying so hard to better yourself, gave me the courage to do the same. I want to better myself, so you can notice me. I know that your eyes are always on either Naruto or Sasuke. But, I want to be the person you look at next. So please, at least give me chance. I want to show you that there's someone else who can love you the way you deserve to be loved,"

I stay silence for a little while, soaking in each word. I have never heard these words, but how I've dreamed of hearing them from Sasuke. It feels weird hearing those words outside of my dream and from someone like Lee. I know that Lee used to be called the Handsome Ninja of the Leaf, but I can't see it. He just doesn't seem like my type. And maybe I'm not his either?

Biting my bottom lip harder, I finally respond.

"Lee… I don't think you know what you're saying. I mean, how can you say you love me when you don't even know anything about me?"

"I know that you're the most beautiful woman in this village. You're even more beautiful than Lady Hokage Tsunade. You're intelligent, determined, strong, and full of so much confidence. I was so proud when I heard how you defeated that Akatsuki member with Lady Chiyo and saved Kankuro's life. You are one of the most amazing person I have ever had the pleasure of personally knowing. To me, you've always been perfect and continues to better yourself. And there's nothing or no one in this world who can tell me otherwise,"

Again, it is awkward hearing those words from Lee. Everything he's saying was what I've been waiting for Sasuke-kun to say about me. I couldn't take this. Any of this. I really wanted to hear it from Sasuke-kun and not Lee. Sasuke has been my dream all these years. I can't see myself with anyone else right now, but I couldn't tell him that after everything he just said. I can't destroy his feelings, but I also don't want to lead him on. But, after everything he's said, how can I turn him away so easily.

So, with the last little bit of sanity left, I turn towards him with a regretful smile.

"I'll think about it,"

As soon as I said that, his face lights up like our village's center Christmas tree.

"Really?! You will?!"

I can feel my face twist in awkwardness. "Sure?"

I quickly make my way out of the room when she starts cheering. Running a hand through my hair, I sigh and wipe the sweat from my brow.

"What have I done?"

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I finished Lee's chart in my office before heading to the prison. I check in at the front before being escorted to Sasuke's cell. When I get there, a frown appears on my lips as I stare at his hunched back; a constant greeting position. I try to greet him with a smile and a wave, but he doesn't return it. I use my chakra to enter the cell, close it behind me, and begin to examine him. He doesn't move, like always. I finish before exiting and sitting in the chair just outside the cell. I get comfortable as we sit in silence. I try to tell him about events in my day, but he doesn't respond. I even try to tell a few jokes, but nothing seems to hit with him.

As we continue to sit in silence, my mind wonders back to my conversation with Lee. Hearing how the excited cheetah feels about me, sent shivers down my spine. Hearing the admiration, love, and extreme feelings coming from someone else didn't sit right with me. Was it because it was Lee? Would I feel the same about Naruto if he said it? Or is it because I've been waiting for Sasuke-kun to say it for so long, I can't imagine anyone else saying it?

"Man, I'm pathetic. What's wrong with me? But, is it wrong to only want one person? Is it wrong to only want one person to feel that way about me? Is it wrong to wait for that person to come around and see that his happiness can be with me?"

I continued to sit in silence. These thoughts and feelings of confusion and fear swallows my heart. And then, suddenly another thought pops into my head.

"How does Sasuke-kun feel about me? We were close as teammates, but has that changed? I wonder if he's heard about how much I've changed?"

Desperation to know overwhelms me more than my previous feelings. I wanted to know. I needed to know. I am desperate. Sitting tall, determination filling my being, I decide to take the leap.

"If Lee can be brave, so can I,"

"Sasuke-kun?" I call out. After a few moments of him not responding, I continue shyly. "I have something to tell you. It's something important. Something, I've been wanting to tell you for a long time," I inhale deeply and let it out through my mouth. "I… love you, Sasuke. I love you. I have always loved you. Since I met you at the Academy, you were everything to me. You are brave, strong, and the most handsome person I know. I will never say that you're perfect. I used to think you were and could do no wrong, but these past four years have shown that even you can be weak at times. But, that makes me love you more. You've been through so much and are suffering through something I can't even imagine going through. But, I just wanted you to know that you have someone who loves you through your faults, failures, and struggles. I know you're going to be in here for a long time, but I'll wait for you to get out. I'll wait for you until we're old and gray. I don't know if I'm what you need right now. I know a relationship is the last thing you're looking for right now. But, I want you to at least know that I am here for you. I love you, Sasuke. I always will,"

Hope fills my heart, making it beat out of my chest. The anticipation of his response is killing me. I want to reach out to touch him, but I know that's pushing it too far. I settle for gripping the bars. My hands begin to hurt but I don't let go. I fear that if I let go, then I'll lose him. But, as time goes on, so does the silence. Nothing comes from him and I keep holding my breath. I can't stand the wait. I bite my bottom lip as hard as I can without breaking the skin.

"Sasuke-kun… please say something… anything… I can't take the silence…"

More time and silence pass. It's driving me crazy and I don't know what to do. A sense of defeat washes over me as I lean against the bars.

"How can you say that? You shouldn't be saying any of this,"

His hoarse voice pierces the silence, making my head shoot up. I feel happy that he finally answers me, but it quickly turns to sadness when his words register in my brain.

"What do you mean? What I shouldn't be saying, Sasuke-kun?"

"You love me. You shouldn't be saying you love me. You don't know me. You know nothing about me. You don't know what I've done, who've I killed, who I've hurt, or what I had to do to get here in this cell,"

"Why do you say that?" I hesitantly answer.

"Because if you did know… then you wouldn't be confessing to me right now. You don't know enough to back what you're saying,"

"Sasuke… what are you saying…?"

"You're… confused Sakura. You love me for my looks, not my personality. I am not the great man you think you know. I am a Uchiha. We're just flawed people who were whipped out because of our ambitions and who we were. You've had such a pretty life. You don't need someone like me to mess that up. You can't love shit and expect it to smell like roses. Go home, Sakura. You no longer need to be here. You don't need to be around me, and you don't need me ruining your life,"

His words stab me like a kunai through my heart. Hearing the man I love say all of these negative things about himself. For him to say that I don't love him and shouldn't love me tells me how broken he is. It's heartbreaking.

"Sasuke-kun. I think you're confused. You don't know what you're saying. I have loved you for so long. I know you're not perfect. I know you're broken, but that doesn't stop me from loving you. I love everything about you. You may have done some terrible things, but I know you weren't in the right state of mind. You were confused, lost and depressed about knowing the truth of your clan and life. There's no one I know who wouldn't act the same if it happened to him. You're not as broken as you think. If you would just let me show you how much I love you, you'd see what I mean,"

"You should go home, Sakura. And don't come back. You're too good for my heavy burdens. You shouldn't have to shoulder them,"

"But I want to. I want to shoulder them and be there to love and support you. Even if I must wait for years, I will~"

"Just give up, Sakura. I'm doing you a favor. Please… just go. Don't make this harder than it has to be. I wouldn't want you to wait for someone who can't return your feelings. It's not fair to you. Just give up on me, Sakura, and save yourself the eventual heartbreak. This is best… for both of us…"

I feel tears wanting to fall from my eyes. I can feel my heart shattering inside my chest. The pieces are falling, and I can't catch them. Of all the things I wished for Sasuke to say, this was the last thing I wanted to hear. With nothing else to say, I stand from the chair and grab my belongings. But, before I head to the door, I give his back one final sad look.

"If you ever change your mind, I'll be around. I know you can't return my love, but maybe… you can find it in your heart to be my friend?"

I wait a few more moments before turning around and walking towards the exit. But before I finally exit, I hear his hoarse voice whisper something. And that something causes a lone tear to roll down my pale cheeks.

"I'm sorry for breaking your heart, Sakura,"

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After leaving the prison, the sun is still hanging in the sky, but it creates a long shadow. It doesn't help with the depression creeping in my chest. I feel it tightening my heart in its cold embrace. A cold wind blows through my chest. I feel numb, but everything at the same time. Nothing is making sense and my head won't stop spinning. The tears are threatening to fall, and I can't hold them back much longer

Feeling weak, I lean against the side of a familiar building. I look up to see the closed sign for the Yamanaka Family Flower Shop. The windows are dark, and the plants look well taken care of. I continue looking inside for someone not there. Giving a deep sigh, I push off the building and head to the owners' home.

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I don't know how long it takes me, but I finally make it to the Yamanaka's home. I quietly knock on the door until someone opens it. I look up with puffy, red eyes to see a shocked Ino looking at me.

"Sakura~"

I don't say anything as I lean into her. Her warm arms wrap around my body as we fall to the floor. As soon as our knees and my belongings hit the floor, so do my cries of heartbreak. Feeling pain radiating off me, Ino rubs my back soothingly as I continue to cry out my agony.

"There, there. I've got you hun. I've got you," she whispers as she continues to massage my back.

I reach up to grip the front of her shirt as the sounds of my cries increases. My tears aren't stopping, and I won't stop them either. There's nothing for me to do, but cry out my frustrations, agony, depression, heartbreak, and the sorrow for even thinking of throwing my friendship away. It is in this moment that I realize how much I have sacrificed for the fairytale I've created. A fairytale that will never come true. A fairytale of a childish little girl. A little girl who ended up failing where she thought she succeeded. A fairytale that has died, along with her other successes.

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To Be Continued…