So What If You Catch Me?

Chapter Two

"A woman can be lonely, even if she is loved by many; because she is still not the "one and only" to anyone."

Lonely: Adjective. Affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome. Destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, intercourse, support. A lonely exile.

Sakura rolled on her stomach and wrote the last word into her morning crossword puzzle. She had to roll her eyes. Lonely. She was not lonely and even if she was she wouldn't admit it. Destitute of intercourse. She glared at the paper. It had not been that long since she… okay… maybe it had. She had never even gotten to sleep with Kiba since she had caught him cheating. She had a few steamy moments with Izumo but nothing to write home about. She looked up at the photos that sat on her bed frame.

One of her mom and dad. A photo of all the girls the last time Temari had been in town to visit. A photo of her with Hinata and Naruto. And lastly the photo of Team 7. Her eyes wondered from Kakashi, Naruto, herself and then to Sasuke. She snorted. To think she thought back then she was so lonely and that no one understood her. He eyes lingered on Sauske. They were the only two who were still single from Team 7. She clenched and unclenched her jaw. She rolled over on to her back.

That boy never stopped trying to make her his girlfriend, wife, babymaker whatever you wanted to title it. She started at the ceiling fan as it moved around soundlessly. Sakura wasn't the kind of girl to let a guy control anything she did. She was just like her Master Tsunade. Lonely. Sakura sighed. Maybe that was a good way to describe Tsunade. Tsunade had started to become more and more of a recluse. Ever since Jiraya had not come back she had begun to close herself off to the rest of the world. Even Sakura and Shizune had a hard time reaching out to her.

Maybe she didn't want to end up like her Master. Maybe she could allow herself to try and keep her defenses down. Maybe things would be different this time. Sakura sat up hearing the shuffling of Naruto down the hallway. He stood in her door way dressed and ready for another day of Hokage training. "I told Hinata-chan we would be there at seven," he said adjusting his white jacket.

"I'll be done at the hospital around five so that's perfect. I'll see you later. Don't let her beat you up too much," Sakura chuckled as Naruto instantly looked defeated.

"You two are terrible," he mumbled. Sakura smiled hearing the door shut before crawling out of bed.

XXX

"Haruno-san," Sakura stood leaning again the nurses station a chart in her hands, though she stared off into space. She had come to work but had been lost in her thoughts most of the morning. "Haruno-san," Sakura blinked a few times before closing the chart and placing it back into the holder. She turned and faced the woman who was calling her.

"Yes?" Sakura inquired.

"There is a patient in your office. He says he was on a mission yesterday and missed his annual,"

Sakura nodded. "Thank you," she said quietly walking down the hallways and to her office. Now who could it be? All she could hope for was it being a quick in and out. It was getting close to her leaving time and did not need anything holding her back from helping Naruto out. If it was Genma again she would just leave. She came to a stop at her office door, with a heavy heart she opened the door.

She had to stop herself from groaning. Uchiha Sasuke in all of his glory. God was he distracting to look at. His hair reached just past his shoulders. His black traveling cloak was still on. In his hand was vase full on sunflowers. Sakura sighed moving from the door way and walking to her desk. Brushing past his hand as he reached out for her.

"Sakura-chan," he smiled at her almost complete oblivious to her not wanting his affection. Sakura had to resist her urge to roll her eyes at the boy. She had made it quite clear to him to just call her Sakura. They only person who still got away with calling her that was Naruto and Kakashi.

"Hello Sasuke-san," she said bitterly sitting done at her desk. She wanted him to understand how inappropriate he was. They were very different people now than when they were children. She had lost her crush on him. Other than a physically attraction there was nothing there. Barely even friendship since he had done nothing to rebuild with her what he had broken. "Sizaki-chan said that you were here for your annual?"

"Yes. I was away on a mission and returned this morning," Sasuke said and he moved around the desk to stand behind Sakura. She shivered slightly as he leaned in closer to her his breath tickling her neck. Her face instantly grew warm and her eyes widened. Okay, maybe it wasn't all just physical attraction. Maybe she still cared for him. Her stomach turned to molten lava and she had to resist the urge to lean into him. He reminded her of a time when she didn't have to worry about anything. Every time he was gone an extended amount of time, she could convince herself she didn't like him around. That his flowers were useless and pathetic. His smell was overwhelming. Maybe all she needed was him. Maybe she could just surrender. "Did you get my flowers?" he whispered in her ear.

She pushed her chair back pushing the dark-haired boy backwards. He grunted when the chair connected his knee. No. Sakura told herself. She deserved more then haphazard flowers. She didn't like roses. She didn't like sunflowers. He didn't care about her. He only cared about going through the motions. "They were fine," she said moving to her bookshelf. She didn't like being alone with him. It made her uncomfortable.

"Just fine?" he sounded annoyed. Here he was going out of his way and she still refused to do what he wanted.

"They aren't my favorite is that's what you're asking," she said crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Well then what is your favorite?" his voice starting to let her know that he was becoming irritated with her. She smiled to herself. Knew it wouldn't take too long. That was the thing about Sasuke he didn't really want Sakura. He didn't want her mood swings. How sassy she was. He wanted the idea of her.

"If you don't know now, you'll never guess it. Now Sasuke-san if you just came to chat, I'll have to ask you to excuse me. I have other things to attend to. Like running this hospital," and with that she opened her office door and left the stoic boy to his own thoughts. Sasuke glared at the door when it shut behind her. How could he still not have found her favorite flower? He had given her eyes rose color known to man, her own namesake, and now the sunflowers. Still nothing. She barely even acknowledged the flowers today. He stormed from the office slamming the door behind him. He was really starting to grow tired of this game Sakura was playing. She would be his wife one day.

Sakura smiled as she walked down the hallway. Sakura 1. Sasuke 0. It made her happy that despite her physical attraction and their old friendship she was still able to fully control herself around him. Though she did not enjoy testing her luck. Every once in a while, she would slip and that was her own fault and that's what kept the boy coming back. Every once in a while, she would confine in him. Want his touch. Have him near her. Sakura stopped when she came to the doors that over looked the court yard.

She leaned again the window ceil and smiled. A few children ran around playing tag. Some elderly patients sat out doors enjoying the sun. Maybe she could just take a few minutes to herself. She pushed open the door and welcomed the autumn breeze that met her. She pulled her medical coat closer to her and found a nice spot to sit in the sun. She let out a hum as she finally relaxed for the first time since waking.

"Sakura-chan?" Sakura opened one of her eyes to meet the loving eyes of Kurenai.

"Kurenai-sensei?" Sakura said confused siting up more aware. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" Sakura asked moving to stand. Kurenai let out a soft laugh and motioned for the pinkette to stay sat. Kurenai sat down next to her on the bench.

"Oh yes, Mirai had a quick check up today. She's going to be starting the academy next month,"

"Oh good, I was worried. How is she doing? She's got to be what seven now?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, she's doing so well. She's so smart and really likes to act tough." Kurenai smiled.

"That's good. I'm sure we will make a great Kunoichi one day," Sakura said leaning back. "How's Kakashi-sensei?" she inquired with a knowing smile causing the older woman to blush slightly.

"He's good. He's actually in with Mirai right now. She didn't want me," Kurenai laughed. Sakura smiled. Things had been tough on Kurenai having lost Asuma during the war. He never got to know his daughter. But she knew all of him. Kurenai made it a point to teach Mirai all about her father. It wasn't until recently that Kakashi and Kurenai had admitted that there was something between them.

"Mom! Look!" the two women turned their heads and smiled at the dark-haired girl who ran into the court yard. Sakura smiled and waved to Kakashi who was close behind. "I got a lollipop!" Mirai waved the bright red treat. "Hi Sakura-san!"

"Hello Mirai-chan, look how brave you were!" Sakura gushed over the young girl. Mirai smiled before she became distracted and begged her mother to play with the other kids.

"I don't know if we have time to do that and get ice cream?" Kurenai said with a knowing look. She winked at Sakura. "Come on let's go, why don't you meet us there, stay and catch up with Sakura-chan for a few minutes. It was good to see you Sakura-chan," Kurenai said touching the young medics shoulder before being dragged away by her daughter.

"Things seem to be going good with you Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura laughed. Kakashi smiled at his student before taking a seat next to her and leaning back. "A whole appointment at the doctor's office and you didn't even try to break out once? My, my, my Kakashi-sensei much be smitten,"

"It would also seem that one of my teammates is smitten with the cherry blossom of Konoha, however the fumes radiating off of him leads me to believe she's not reciprocating?" Kakashi teased. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Who isn't smitten with me now adays? Tell Genam he's a pig next time you see him,"

Kakashi laughed. "It was odd last night when Genma asked about you,"

"Oh, did he now?" she asked raising her eye brow.

"Said something along the lines of how you're a real spit fire… Hopes he could talk you into his bed…Something about you man handling him?" Kakashi inquired looking down at his young student. Sakura's face instantly turned bright red.

"I would never!" she protested causing Kakashi to chuckle.

"I would certainly hope not. I would think you would cave and date Sasuke before anything with Genma would happen,"

"Hell would have to freeze over for me to want anything to do with either of them," she huffed out annoyed leaning back and folding her arms over her chest.

"I would hope not. I would certainly think you would date Sasuke before that ever happened."

"Sakura," she sat up realizing his tone had changed from the joking friend to the stern voice. The voice he only used when he really wanted her to listen to him. "I saw Sasuke... leaving earlier. He didn't look too happy," Sakura rolled her eyes. Sakura opened her mouth to let Kakashi know that she didn't care before he spoke again. "You don't look happy," Sakura sat back and looked as though she had been burned by what Kakashi had said. She was happy. Perfectly happy on her own. All alone. "I don't want you to be unhappy, and I'm not saying you should be with Sasuke… I know that I have found more happiness then I ever thought I could with Kurenai,"

"I get it Kakashi-sensei…" she mumbled.

Kakashi smiled standing up he ruffled her hair a little. "Just try saying 'yes' every once in a while," Sakura smiled up at the older man.

"Yes Tou-san," she teased sticking her tongue out at the man. Kakashi chuckled and waved before leaving the hospital courtyard. Sakura sighed before standing up herself. Based on how quickly the sun was setting it was about time for her to head home. She couldn't help thinking about what Kakashi had said. Did she close herself off too much to the idea of even being happy? She frowned. She did have a hard time saying yes… it took her best friend begging her over and over again for her to even agree to do something.

She sighed and leaned against the nurses' station staring at the last little paperwork she had. Would she be content doing this every day for the rest of her life? What would she do once Naruto and Hinata got married? Had kids? Did she want kids? She signed the paperwork and handed it off to one of the medics. She placed her hands in her pockets and made her way to the exit.

Was it really that hard for her to just say yes? Fall in love? She didn't know if she could really open herself up again. Fall in love? After what had happened in her past she wasn't sure if it was really worth the risk. And that brought her to another question. What if she did fall in love? Would they catch her? And if they did… where would they land?

A/N

Another chapter down! I'm trying to power through this rewrite for you all! Hoping to do a chapter per week. This chapter was about 1k more words then the original! All reviews are greatly appreciated! I've been trying my best to have better writing cause I know how annoying it can be to read something that's not well written. Please any criticism is greatly appreciated! Thank you all so much for your wonderful reviews!