Disclaimer: Not mine…

Summary: He never pays attention to her. He ignores her completely. He thought she was annoying. But soon he realized he was wrong.

Together

Chapter Eighteen

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Sakura stirred, opening her eyes slowly. She felt dizzy, wanting to go back to sleep again. She blinked, looking around. She rose from the ground, alarmed. Where am I?

"You have awoken."

Sakura turned around. I remember now… He took me here. "Uchiha Itachi, what's the meaning of this?" She demanded. Her legs felt almost weak, her eyelids started to close. Her mind forced the sleepiness back.

"Don't worry, you're not in danger. Soon he'll come and look for you." Itachi drawled. Sakura raised her eyebrow. "He? Look, I don't know why you're keeping me here, but is Orochimaru involved in this?" She knew Orochimaru is not alive. Who knows, Itachi might have brought him alive again. He smirked. "No, Sakura."

"Why am-"

"You have a lot of questions." He commented. Sakura glared.

"Hungry?" He asked.

"No." She snapped.

"That's too bad, I prepared food for you." Itachi pointed at the table. Sakura blinked. She was indeed hungry, but she was not willing to eat his food. "God knows what you put in there." She said, disgusted. Sakura looked around, looking for a chance to escape. She can feel his eyes on her. Sakura shuddered, not meeting his gaze. Tsunade once told her that a Sharingan could be very dangerous.

"The pill should be activated by now." He said.

"P-Pill…?" Sakura asked, she was afraid what comes next.

"Didn't you know? It was a pill that I put in your mouth." Itachi smirked, folding his arms. Sakura gasped. "Why did you do that?"

"It is easy to control you, Sakura."

Sakura stared, horrified. "I won't be controlled. Uchiha." She said.

"Yes, we'll see…" Itachi drawled. He placed two fingers on her forehead. Sakura closed her eyes, and fell asleep. He caught her in his arms. "Haruno Sakura. When you wake up. You will not mention me and kill Uchiha Sasuke." He placed another pill in Sakura's hand. "Take care." Placing her on the ground, he disappeared.

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Sasuke knows where she was. He remembered the place clearly, where Itachi last kidnapped them. He had a feeling that she is there, and hoped she is safe. Since Itachi is with her, she could be in danger. He clutched his fists. I'm so stupid… I never realized this. Tsunade had told him to wait; he didn't even answer and ran out of Konoha Gates. Many ANBU tried to hold him back, back he threw them away, Naruto was shocked with this behaviour. He was so angry that he punched him on the face. Sasuke didn't even bother to hit him back.

He touched his cheek. He could still feel the pain. It was weird, he wasn't angry with Naruto.

The Godaime probably send some people to look for Sakura. They wouldn't know where she was; they have never been to the place. No one understands her feeling. He wondered if Sakura was angry with him, did she go because of him? He regretted for being so cold towards her. He regretted everything.

It started to rain. Heavy raindrops fell on him; he didn't bother to any shelter at all.

I'm coming.

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Tsunade closed the door behind her. She sighed heavily. Naruto looked worried. "Tsunade-baachan, can I please go with them?" Tsunade shook his head. "Gomen Naruto, you can't."

"Why?" Naruto protested.

"Akatsuki still wants your inner Kyuubi." Tsunade said, annoyed. "I said it about a hundred times. Don't make me repeat again." Naruto shook his head fiercely. "It doesn't matter! Sakura-chan is my friend!" Tsunade sighed, "Yes, but you can't risk your life."

"What about Sasuke!" Naruto demanded. "Why can he go!"

"Because…" She paused, not wanting to say the answer. "Because… she loves him." Naruto didn't response. He took the nearest chair and sat down. "Tsunade-baachan…"

"I do not know why Sakura was kidnapped." Tsunade began, looking into Naruto's saddened eyes. "Akatsuki wants many things, Naruto."

Naruto shook his head. "Yes, they want Kyuubi as well… It is not fair. Thank god Orochimaru is gone." Tsunade nodded. "Yes, Orochimaru is killed, finally. Jiraiya helped me, of course. Without his help, I won't be successful. After all, we three are the Sannins. I hope… I hope when I'm gone. Sasuke, you and Sakura will be the Sannins." Her voice shook. Naruto stared at her. "What do you mean, when you're gone?" He asked.

"I don't have a long time to live." Tsunade responded calmly. Naruto blinked. "Don't talk about the future, Tsunade-baachan." She shrugged. "I'm just telling you my future plans. You three are strong. I hope you three will be the Legendary Sannins as well." Naruto glanced at Tsunade, biting his lip.

Tsunade placed a hand on his shoulder. "Naruto. Sakura will come back safely. Together with Sasuke."

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Sasuke pushed the door open, making a loud bang. He looked around, and found Sakura sitting on a chair, her eyes closed. He panicked, and ran to her. He took her shoulders and shook them. "Sakura! Wake up." She blinked, opening eyes and looked at him. "Sasuke-kun."

"A-Are you alright?" He asked. Sakura smiled. "Yes. Of course, why shouldn't I?"

"Where's Itachi?" Sasuke asked. Sakura shrugged. "No idea." She laid her head upon his shoulder, hugging him. "I missed you." Sasuke stiffened, without knowing, he circled his arms around her waist, breathing the scent of her pink hair. "Tsunade is worried about you, and so is Naruto." Sakura smiled lightly. "It's okay, I'll go back. You know, Sasuke-kun, this is the first time you held me like this." Sasuke was silent. They broke apart. She tiptoed and kissed him on the lips. She flicked her tongue across and placed the pill into his mouth. He gasped, and swallowed it. He pushed her away, his Sharingan glaring. "What the hell are you?"

"I am Sakura." She said.

"Itachi made you do this." He said.

"No." She said. "The pill that you just swallowed is poisoned. You will die very soon." Sakura smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye." Sasuke grabbed her wrist. "Sakura! You have to wake up!" She looked at him coldly. "I don't want to. I want to stay like this. You're always cold to me, always ignoring me. I'm sick of that. It is always unrequited love." He started to feel dizzy; he ignored the pain and pulled her towards him, embracing her. "Sakura, please wake up."

"Let me go, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said almost voiceless.

He sighed, then without thinking twice; he said, "I love you." It was the first time he had even told anyone in those three words. Not even his family, nor friends.

Words escaped from his mouth without knowing, he gasped, clasping his hand over his mouth. Sakura remained expressionless. Sasuke suddenly let go of; he didn't speak to her, and sat down onto the ground. He knew he was going to die soon, he never thought he would said those three words this soon. Sakura bent down beside him, placing a single hand on his shoulder. "Love." She said, monotone. Sasuke looked up, remaining silent. "I'm sorry." Apologized Uchiha. Sakura smirked, and tilted her head back. "Yes. Now you realized you're sorry. It's too late…" Sasuke coughed, blood spluttered. He wasn't afraid of death. He knew he's going to die anyway. Sasuke gave her a final look, and then collapsed onto the floor. Sakura blinked.

Words echoed inside her head. Images flashed into her mind. Sakura cried out in pain, sinking her knees to the ground, she punched the floor with her fists. Tears poured down from her eyes. Huge tears rolled down her cheeks. She reached out to him. He's still alive… She rushed over. "Sasuke-kun!" She held his head, crying and shaking her head, she pushed the voice and images aside. "I'm so sorry…" Her words were drowned with his kiss. "I-Itachi made me do this…" She told him, sobbing. Her voice shook. She laid him down flat onto the floor. "I'm going to try my best to heal you. I might not be the best medicine-nin, but I'll try." She stared at him with saddened eyes. "Before I do this, please I beg you. Do not seek revenge to your brother again…" Her voice trailed off.

"I-I promise…"

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Uchiha Sasuke had been lying in hospital for a week. He still needs Tsunade's special treatment; the pill is out, thankfully. Not to his surprise, Sakura visited him every single day; bring a bouquet of flowers, or a basket of food. Naruto noticed; Sasuke began to smile more often now. He grinned to himself, hiding behind the door while spying on Sasuke and Sakura. He was happy for his friends. Naruto never knew Sasuke could smile. He had always imagined that he would die alone. Naruto shook his head, smiling.

A figure appeared behind him, she placed a hand on his lean shoulder. "Oi." Naruto jumped, and faced Tenten. She smiled at him. Naruto sighed heavily. "Don't scare me like this, Tenten-san!" She stuck her tongue out. She had her hair tied in a ponytail. Naruto almost didn't recognize her at once. "Sorry. How's Sasuke-san?" Naruto broke into a broad grin. "Shh, having a private time with Sakura-chan." Tenten blinked, then grinned back at him. "I see…" She peeked through the door as well. "I feel bad." She whispered.

"Don't be. Remember all those things that Sasuke done to me. And you won't feel bad." Naruto said, pulling a face. Tenten laughed silently. "He's not so bad." Naruto glared. "Not so bad, right."

"She… Sakura, she's so caring. She doesn't even care about her health, I mean she's a medical specialist!" Tenten commented, gazing at Sakura. "And pretty." She said with a laugh.

"Huh, Sakura-chan? Of course." Naruto nodded with agreement. He sighed. "Yeah, I know it was unrequited love. So I gave up. It was painful at first. But now I'm okay. I have Hinata."

"Hinata-sama is kind." Tenten said. Naruto grinned at her. A cough was heard behind them. They both turned around. "Neji!" She called out, giving him a grin. He glared at both of Naruto. "What are you two doing?" Tenten noticed the iciness in his voice. "Spying on Sasuke-san and Sakura." She whispered. The prodigy is actually jealous…? No sarcasm here. Does people turn stupid when they fall in love? Naruto wondered to himself, staring at Neji. Clearly, Tenten and Naruo are just friends. Clearly, he's in love with Hinata.

"Oh?"

"Come on Neji." Tenten said. "Trust me?" He sighed, and gave up. "We should better get going, Tenten." She stared back at him, an eyebrow was raised, "I want to stay."

"Gai-sensei's orders." Neji said. She sighed. "Fine." She turned to Naruto. "We have to go. Gai-sensei is waiting. He probably discovered a new jutsu!" She grinned at him. Neji simply glared. Before she left the corridor. She said to Naruto. "I never knew Sasuke-kun could smile. Please say thank you to Sakura! It is stunning!" She laughed before she ran off.

One week later

Sasuke was recovered completely after a week. Sakura was happy to see this. She thanked her Shishou over and over again. "Thanks… for everything." He said to her one day in the hospital, his final day. Sakura turned around, surprised. She sat down beside him, smiling lightly. She reached over to the bench and handed him over the bento. "Your lunch, I made it for you." Sasuke glanced at her thankfully. "You… You do remember what I said to you before?" They were sitting outside of the hospital, gazing at the sunset sky.

"Loads of things." She said in daze.

"Don't make me say it again." He said, bewildered. He turned his head around, avoiding her gaze. She embraced him, burying her face into his chest. "I love you." She said softly. Sasuke smiled and embraced her back. Sakura paused. "You don't feel the same?" She asked, hurt.

"I told you, I don't want to say it again…"

But the answer to that was too simple.

Sakura smiled, "Oh well. It doesn't matter." She too, seemed to realize this as well.

They remained there in silence, watching the sun lower across the mountains. Finally, Sakura stirred slightly. "Thank you, Sasuke-kun," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

He smiled lightly. For once the desperate cries of his heart seemed to be heard, as time slowed to a standstill and the breeze died down. The afternoon sunlight framed the two lovers with its golden kiss, and a quiet peace rose around them.

A moment and a lifetime later, the breeze blew once more, separating the last of the summer leaves from their branches with a gentle sigh.

"You can hear it, can't you, Sasuke-kun? The planet singing to us."

-Owari-

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Authoress's Notes: This fic has finally finished! (Stab, stab) –tears- TT.TT I hope you guys all enjoyed the last chapter of this fic. (?) Yes, the ending was based on the Anime Ragnarok. I like it, it's sweet, so I decided I would base it onto my fic! –smile smile- But it's a little different though, the girl saved the guy by kissing him, so the red pill fell out from his back. I think it's a little, er… cliché. So I changed that.

-Sigh- Exams soon… I hate exams, and suck at it. T.T

A big thank you to my readers and reviews. I appreciate them. Thinking back, I wondered, how did I ever write this story?

This is all for this fic. See you all in my new fic(s). I currently have another fic out XD, hope you'll check it out! See you all! TT.TT

Reviews greatly suggest. (Please review!)

Thank you all.

PS: Anyone watched Advent Children? I love it.

-Cherry Arrow