Of Desperation and Devotion Chapter 6: Trepidation, a naruto fanfic

Of Desperation and Devotion

Disclaimer: Eventhough it breaks my heart to say, I do not own Naruto. (hmmmmp…)

A/N: I know, I know, I practically got an unadvised hiatus for a year and I'm very sorry for that. I was very busy with my new work, I got training and stuff, so please forgive me… (makes puppy eyes wink wink) I'm going to make this chapter the longest ever, just as I had promised to some of you. I'm going to also make this as my super duper belated Christmas present to my loving readers who goes gaga with ODAD, yeah, I know some of you may have read it a dozen times in hopes that I may be updating but oh well, as what I have said… work, work, work and work. . . don't worry i already got my O2 xda stealth so I'll be updating more often. (nothing beats mobile technology. Yey!!) anyways, I think I made this author's note long enough and I know, some of you are DYING to start reading so without further ado here it is Of Desperation and Devotion chapter 6 entitled Trepidation

Notes for readers:

"Charliette" – thoughts or flashback

"Charliette" – normal conversation

Chapter 6: Trepidation

Sasuke slowly woke up due to the faint smell tickling his nose. A whiff of strawberries invaded his senses. Due to the light that escaped from the blinds, he turned away from it only to find out he is unable to move. Something heavy is pinning down half of his body. Feeling a little grumpy, he tried to pry open his drowsy eyes to see what's preventing him from moving.

His onyx gaze soften when he saw his wife half sprawled on top of him with his arm over her waist, her leg intertwined with his and her head luxuriously using his shoulder as a pillow.

He glanced at the clock to see the time and almost groaned out loud when he saw that it was an hour before noon. Sasuke can't help himself to smirk. He remembered his early morning activity with his wife.

"I must have exhausted her." He chuckled to himself.

His reverie was cut short when his stomach grumbled.

He slowly extricated himself from Sakura and went to the kitchen to cook brunch. Unconsciously he was humming under his breath, maybe evidence that he was feeling happy today.

Sasuke was putting food on the table when the door bell went off. He was startled by the noise.

"Who could be at the door? I got a week off from work and that would definitely be not Tsunade's secretary asking me to come over her office for a mission"

He proceeded at the door to open it. A masked face greeted him. An ANBU handed him a letter. Sasuke immediately read it and his happy mood suddenly became serious.

"I'll be there" was his clipped answer and closed the door.

The onyx hair man turned towards the kitchen only to be greeted by the half-awake presence of his wife.

Sakura walked into the kitchen and sat herself on the table.

As Sasuke took his seat, she asked "Who was at the door?"

"No one important"

Sakura looked at her husband inquiringly.

"Just eat, don't worry about it." He said after seeing his wife's eyebrows crooked.

They ate in silence; as soon as Sasuke had finished eating he stood up and began gathering his plate to put it in the sink.

"Where are you going?" Sakura asked

"I'll be leaving for training. I would be late in coming in so don't wait up for me." He answered.

Sakura was surprised with his answer, she expected him to stay the whole day at the compound and spend time with her. Eventhough she felt disappointed, she tried to give him a small smile and made a nod to acknowledge what he said.

"At least, now he has the decency to tell me what he will be doing and not to expect him for dinner."

"I'll just put food on the fridge, you just reheat it."

"Hn."

That was all Sasuke's reply and he left the kitchen to go into their room to take a shower and gather things for training that afternoon.

Sakura was at the lawn when he was about to leave. Seeing his husband leaving the house she walked to him and bade him goodbye.

Sasuke was about to take his leave but not before Sakura gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

He was momentarily stunned but when he saw his wife about to turn away with her cheeks burning red he caught her in his arms and gave her an earth shattering kiss.

Oh yes, She, Uchiha Sakura was on the lawn with her husband, Uchiha Sasuke, kissing. K-I-S-S-I-N-G, on the lips. Yes, on the L-I-P-S.

When they parted, Sakura looked at her husband dumbfounded. Sasuke slowly let go of his wife and turned to leave the compound but not before giving Sakura a triumphant smirk.

Hours after the lawn scene . . .

Sakura spent the day inside the compound. She finished cleaning the house so she decided to do her afternoon kata on the compound's training ground.

She almost perfected her teleportation justu and she was nearly exhausted. She decided to relax and put additional flowers in the garden.

Sakura was sprinkling water to her newly planted flowers when Ino dropped by.

"Hey forhead girl." She greeted the pink haired kunoichi

"hey ino-pig. And that is Mrs. Uchiha for you. Hahahaha…"

"Whatever." Ino rolled her eyes.

"What brought you here? You know it's my honeymoon."

"Well, I don't see little Mr. Uchiha here."

"Why you . . ." Sakura glared at Ino while waving her fist.

"Hey, calm down Sakura, don't be angry. We know that you don't have a normal marriage life." Ino spat

With that Sakura suddenly sobered up.

"Ay, an-n –o, Sakura-chan, I'm sorry. I-I ... please.. I didn't mean it that way."

"Don't worry Ino-chan. You are right I don't have a normal marriage life." She said.

"Oh, Sakura-chan, tell me what's wrong. I'm one of your best friends after all."

"It's just that I'm having a hard time deciphering Sasuke."

"Why is that?" Ino asked.

"You know, most of the time he's cold to me, but sometimes, he just does things that . . . I don't know . . . . he just turn me into jelly. And I can't help but. . . but . . . " the Uchiha mistress started to choke on her words.

"Can't help but fall in love with him all over again." Ino supplied the rest of her sentence.

"Yes" she whispered.

"Oh, Sakura-chan, how can I help you?"

"I don't know Ino, I'm just hoping that maybe someday, Sasuke will treat me as his wife and start caring. Not because he needed an heir but just because he cares."

"I'll pray that the time would come when Uchiha Sasuke will be worshipping the ground you walk on. Hehehe. . . " Ino said sheepishly

"You never fail to grab the opportunity to ruin my drama act huh? Why are you here again?"

"Oh I forgot. I was about to ask for your help for my wedding when you started your drama act on me."

"Grr . . . Sure I'll help so when will it be?"

"Umm, I got Shika-kun to agree to hold it next month on my birthday, sept 23."

"Ino-chan, tsk tsk tsk, you are not married yet but it seems you are starting to dominate Shikamaru." Sakura could only shake her head.

"Oh well, but that's not the only thing I made him agree. I had what I want with the motif, blue and gold and also the place of the wedding. You remember the hills where Shikamaru proposed to me? Will be having the wedding there." Ino was blabbling excitingly.

"Let's just hope it wont rain." Sakura laughed at her very dominating friend.

"Of course it won't, Or else Shikamaru would find a very pissed off wife on his wedding night."

Sakura and Ino can't help but laugh at that last remark.

After Ino had left, Sakura cooked dinner, she ate and left food for Sasuke in the fridge.

Before she went to sleep she did some reading on the sofa and eventually fell asleep.

3 hours later . . .

Sasuke was tired. Aside from the fact that he did not sleep very long the night before due to his wife, well actually due to what he had done with his wife, he had pushed himself to near exhaustion during his training.

As he entered the Uchiha main house, the sight of his wife sprawled on the sofa with a scroll on one hand greeted him. He approached her and lifted some strands of his wife's pink locks off her face.

"She really is beautiful." Sasuke said to himself.

He was being hypnotized by his wife's beauty and can't help but brush his lips on hers.

Sakura stirred and immediately, Sasuke straightened up and went into the kitchen. He checked the fridge for food, reheated it in the oven and ate.

After eating, he proceeded to their bedroom and took a shower.

Emerging from the bathroom with only his boxers he turned the bedcovers off and went to the living room to get his wife.

Sakura was still asleep when he gathered her in his arms. Even in sleep, Sakura recognized her husband's touch and wrapped her arms around his neck unconsciously. That lifted the corners of Sasuke's lips slightly.

He put his wife down on the bed and joined her. He gathered her in his arms and slept.

000---000---000

A week later . . .

The girls were in a dress shop to have their body measurements taken for their bridesmaid dresses.

Everyone seems so excited that day but nothing seems to be more excited than the bride to be.

Ino was taking endlessly about how she like the color blue and gold for their motif and how she feels very ecstatic that She and Shikamaru will be married on the hills that he proposed.

"Really girls, I feel like a queen, he just agrees to anything." The blonde ball of excitement exclaimed.

Sakura, Hinata and Tenten just roll their eyes.

"Gosh, Ino-pig, enough already, it's been 30 minutes and you are talking endlessly. Gosh, I never remembered you to be this excited in Hinata or my wedding." Sakura muttered, slightly irritated.

"Well excuse me forehead girl, just because you didn't get all excited to your wedding didn't mean that I. . . " the girl voice trailed off.

Hinata and Tenten just remained silent but glared at Ino.

"You were right Ino, I did get excited in my wedding, more like scared actually." Sakura tried to life the sullen mood.

Hinata rescued them by asking if they want to go to ice cream shop after the taking of body measurements."

"Hinata, you still haven't gotten over your cravings?" asked tenten.

"Tenten-chan I'm still on my third month so I still have them."

"Whatever, I just hope you aren't deprived by that loud-mouth husband of yours with the things that you want."

"Well, I have the usual cravings of fruits and aromatic stuff but I was nearly disappointed with Naruto when I wanted to have a pet and he wouldn't give it to me."

"What? That's insane, how come he didn't gave you that?" asked Sakura, ready to bash the head of his self proclaimed brother.

"Ah, ahmm, he said it's to dangerous with me living alone when he went out on missions and he also said that it's too strenuous to take care of it."

"He's kind of right you know, By the way, Hinata, What kind of pet did you want?" Ino said

"Ah well, I wanted a full grown fox." Hinata supplied with a shy grin with red tinting her cheeks.

"WHAT?" the three girls said and finished it with a groan.

After they had finished their business in the dress shop, they went to the ice cream parlor where Hinata, to their outmost surprise, almost tested all the flavors inside the store.

"Hinata, better watch what you eat or else you will become as big as Chouji when you are about to deliver your baby." Sakura reprimanded the wife of the Hokage-in-waitng.

"Can't help in Sakura-chan, they all taste good."

Sakura just rolled her eyes.

"Guys, you notice this is the first time that we actually sat down together and talk eversince Sakura was married?" Tenten said.

"Yup, and you know, we haven't talked to Sakura for a very long time." Ino continued as she eye Sakura evilly.

"And you know, We were just wondering how is it being married to Sasuke . . ." Tenten chuckled under her breathe.

"Yeah, you know, how you spend your days but most especially the nights." Ino finished as she grilled her pink haired friend.

You two are the most . . . Argh . . ." Her two friends continued to eye her evilly. "Okay, okay stop it. What do you want to know?"

"Well," the two looked at each other and Ino blurted out the question "Was it good? You know what I mean."

"It was good, oh heck, it was great." Sakura said

"And?" the two exclaimed excitedly

"And. . . I still feel sorry for myself because that's the only thing that we both agree with."

The cheerful atmosphere suddenly became a serious one.

"Sakura I . . ." tenten do not know what to say.

"It's okay tenten, I just feel so alone sometimes eventhough I got what I wanted in the end, I never imagine it to get it in a very unusual way." Sakura laughed a bit.

"Okay, forehead girl, spill all out. Ever since the night of your wedding when you actually, to everyone's surprise left Sasuke in the altar, we haven't talked about things with you or him." Ino said with concern

"Just leave it at that everyone, all of you have help me a lot getting through the wedding and the party but this, I need to surpass this test all on my own and I don't want to bother anyone with my problems."

"Sakura-chan, you know we'll be always here to help you through rough times." Hinata patted her friends hand.

"I know, Hinata but still, this is family business and I think that I should resolve it on my own." Sakura smiled a little bit to assure her friends that she's okay. "Anyway, Hinata, you want another scoop of ice cream? It's death by chocolate"

"Ah okay." Hinata answered but the three friends of Sakura can't help being worried to her.

They started talking about other things and after an hour they decided to call it a day. Sakura was about to stand when Tenten suddenly pulled her back to her seat.

"Hey, what was that for?" She asked.

"Ummm. . . I was thinking that we could spend another 15 minutes more." Tenten said nervously her eyes flickering at the door.

"What? I thought you want to rest because you've got training with Gai and Lee early tomorrow. Why the sudden change of mind?"

"Ahh..eh.. a-a-nno.. ummm. I just missed the company you know."

"Sheesh, we'll still be seeing each other on Ino and Shikamaru's wedding 3 weeks from now."

Sakura cannot be sway; Tenten glanced to Ino and Hinata for help.

"Hey Sakura-chan, It's not that long, we can spend 15 minutes more." Hinata coaxed

"Yeah, forehead girl, I think that . . . that . . . you have to spend a little more time with us." Ino said while pushing Sakura's shoulder so that she was almost looking out to the window.

"Hey, what's with this racket, I'm sorry guys, I really need to go home. Bye." With that Sakura stood up and was about to walk through the door when an Uchiha symbol caught her eye.

And Behold, there in a secluded booth of the ice cream shop was her everdearest husband talking to no other than his ex-girlfriend, Misao.

Sakura just looked at them for a moment, glanced to her friends and silently walked out the door.

"Oh Sakura-chan." Was all Hinata could said.

000---000---000

All was a blur to Sakura, she walked like a zombie to the Uchiha compound.

Head low and almost drunkenly walking, she managed to arrive at the compound in one piece.

She automatically cooked dinner when she arrived, set aside some food for Sasuke and got a plate for herself.

Alone in the Uchiha mansion, she managed to try to process what she saw at the ice cream parlor and get over the shock she felt. It was one thing to see Sasuke with Misao, even when they are kissing before they are married and another thing to find her husband talking in a secluded corner of an ice cream parlor with her ex.

Sakura cannot believe what she saw. They have been getting along fine this past week with no arguments and more heated sex and she thought things are started to come into place. Then she saw that scene.

"I cannot believe he keeps on seeing Misao. God, I am so stupid in hoping he'll stop seeing her, Damn. I looked like a fool. I saw the pity glances that other people gave me at the ice cream shop. Stupid, stupid, stupid." She stabbed her food with her knife while racking sobs choked her.

"Even after what I did I don't deserve this, he's hurting me more. My emotions are being battered and I can't do anything about it." She continued.

"Wait a minute, no, no, NO. I still have my self respect. I don't want to be like a dog waiting for her master to give her some scraps from the table or to be the laughing stock of all Konoha. My god, I think people are now laughing at my back. Poor Sakura, it did not take for a month for her husband to cheat on her. Damn, Damn, Dammit."

With that, she took her plate to the sink, went to the living room to light a lampshade and walk to the bedroom and curled herself on the covers trying to wash away her sorrows.

000---000---000

Sasuke arrived at his house around eight in the evening. He's feeling irritated because he still can't perfect a jutsu that he was trying to do for almost a week. Adding to that, Misao talked to him with delicate news that added to his sullen disposition.

As he was arriving at the porch, he noticed that the whole house was dark except for the lone light from the living room. He thought that Sakura may have fallen asleep while waiting for him and forgotten to light the lamps because the house is usually bright this time of the night.

Sasuke immediately went inside their bedroom to look for Sakura. He found her curled under the blankets. Shrugging off his bag that held his training equipment, Sasuke sat on the bed and softly shook his wife's shoulders to wake her up.

"Sakura, wake up. Let's eat dinner."

Much to his astonishment his wife just brushed off his hand and burrowed more under the blankets.

"Hey Sakura, what's wrong with you?"

Silence

"Come on Sakura, I'm starving. I don't want to eat alone"

"Find some other person to eat with then." Sakura retorted sharply.

"Oi, What was that for?"

"Oh, I don't know, forget it."

"What's wrong with you, Come on. I want to eat now."

"Stop bugging me Sasuke and leave me alone."

"Okay, okay if that's what you want." Sasuke gave up coaxing Sasuke to dinner. "Some wife you are." He murmured irritably and got off the bed.

Sakura heard the last remark and fumed inside. Sasuke was about to go out the door when Sakura spoke.

"Maybe you don't need a wife or at least you don't need me . . . Why did you marry me? And don't give me that damn excuse that you were pressured. You can easily have gotten out of Konoha when you wanted out. I know, I did the wrong thing in setting you up but damn, Sasuke don't make me loose my self respect. I saw you with Misao this afternoon at the ice cream parlor. You were talking in hush-hush tones at the secluded part of the shop. Oh, well it's not my business isn't it? After all, I agreed to your conditions in this marriage. I know I'm just a tool Sasuke for one of your dreams. I'm just here because conveniently, you need heirs to restore the Uchiha clan to its glorious splendor. Am I right Sasuke?"

Sasuke was about to open his mouth to reply when Sakura continued "Oh don't bother answering Sasuke. I know my place, just don't make a fool out of me in public. Lock the door when you go out. GOOD NIGHT!!!"

Sasuke was momentarily shocked by his wife's ramblings. When he finally recovered to give out an acid retort, he found his wife on her side on the bed with his back on him. She pulled the blanket over her head.

He stood there for a moment and angrily stomped out of their bedroom and slammed the door.

Under the blankets, Sakura's tears started to flow freely and sobs began to rack her small frame.

000---000---000

Days gone by and Sasuke and Sakura's relationship was as cold as ice. They don't to each other or even greet each other good morning. Sakura stopped cooking meals after two days when Sasuke always go home late.

They still sleep inside one room but they never touch each other.

Sasuke attempted to talk to Sakura the morning after their confrontation but Sakura avoided him, Instead of embarrassing himself once again he decided to immerse himself with training, slaving night and day to perfect numerous jutsus. This continued for weeks until the Uchiha compound was like a graveyard once again.

The estranged couple continued to ignore each other and tried to avoid each other's path as much as possible.

A week before Shikamaru and Ino's wedding. . .

As tradition, a bachelorette / bachelor party was held for the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Nara Shikamaru. As usually they gathered to the club where they celebrated Sasuke and Sakura's engagement.

Almost all the member of the gang is present with the exception of Chouji, Lee and Shino. Chouji has a special training with his father on the mountains while Shino and Lee had last minute mission to escort a wealthy merchant to the Bird country. They are expected to arrive the day after tomorrow.

Sakura was thinking of not coming. Things are getting out of hand between her and Sasuke. Going to the party would mean that have to pretend that there's nothing wrong with them so that their friends won't be wondering.

It's so sad to think that it had come this far. It all started with the lie that Sakura made out of desperation and here it is, the Uchiha couple is being forced to spend a night together pretending that they like or at least talk to each other when in fact they are not. Sakura sarcastically laugh to herself out of pity. Never in her whole "Sasuke and I are married dreams" did she ever imagine that things would turn out like this. A pathetic excuse for a marriage. Ha! A marriage made out of deception and desperation, quite a unique set up don't you think?

Sakura arrived at the club alone which raised a few eyebrows. Kiba, oh who can forget ever meddling Kiba, just have to notice that Sasuke was not with her. Basically, she doesn't know where he is so she had an excuse that he'll be late because of training.

Naruto noticed that his sister looked haggard contrary to be glowing and happy which she is supposed to be since she's newlywed right? He approached her and took her on the far side of the couch.

"Come on, spill it out."

"Spill what out?" Sakura asked

"Spill out whatever that is bothering you." He answered.

"Nothing Naruto, it's just hard adjusting with marriage life, really I'm okay. I just hardly get enough sleep."

"You sure about that?" he asked

"Yeah bro, no problem. Now get back to your wife." She ordered him with a smile.

After the little chit-chat with Naruto, Sakura, greeted Ino and Shikamaru. Tenten called her to take a seat on her side. Upon seating, Tenten hugged her and whispered to hold on.

Tears suddenly clouded her vision. She badly needed support right now. She wanted to tell Naruto her situation but she knows that would just make the situation worst. Her brother would mostly likely pummel Sasuke and of course all their friends would wonder and . . . oh well, let's just say that it would be worst.

Neji was just eyeing her since she arrived. He suspected that things are not going well between her and Sasuke. Of course, he cannot confront Sasuke about that but with Sakura, it's another thing. They were friends and he would give her support in her time of need.

The drinks flow endlessly and most of them are a little tipsy. Sakura excused herself to go out and have some fresh air but promised to be back after 15 minutes.

She went out of the club to sit at a stone bench on the park. She was feeling a bit dizzy with all the booze she drank. She wants to drown her sorrows away with sake and hoped that when she wake up the next day she will feel that it all been washed away with the alcohol she drunk.

With head low and eyes close, she let the night air surround her body and submerge herself in self pity. Then, a jacket was put around her shoulders. She immediately looked up to see Neji gave her a small smile.

"How have you been?" he asked as he took her seat beside her.

"Fine"

"Is that so?"

"Yeah"

"You know Sakura, I know when someone is lying so you better tell me the truth.

"I'm fine Neji, really."

"So you say."

"Come on Neji, cut it out."

"Sasuke's been a real jerk to you huh?" he eyed her solemly.

Sakura just kept her mouth shut.

"You know you can tell me anything Sakura, I'm your friend."

"Neji, I- ah . . ." she closed her eyes to prevent herself from crying."

Neji hugged her and whispered."Come on, tell me."

With that, Sakura's emotions gave way. He told Neji what she saw in the ice cream parlor and what was happening the past weeks between her and Sasuke. All the time Neji just kept silent and continuously rubbed her back giving her comfort. When her emotions subsided she stood up and turned her back to Neji.

"Thanks Neji for comforting me. I really need that. Sorry about your shirt."

Neji look at his wet mesh shirt and shrugged "No problem Sakura. I'm always here for you."

"Thanks again. We better get inside the club now before they come looking for us."

"Okay."

They went inside the club and walked towards the table where their friends were.

Five minutes after Sakura went out of the club for some fresh air, Sasuke arrived. He was surprised to find out that his wife was not yet at the club. He asked Lee about her and he told him that she went out but she'll be back after 15 minutes. He decided that he'll just wait for her inside.

30 minutes later he was feeling agitated because Sakura had not come back yet. He was about to got out to fetch her when she saw her walking towards the table with Neji. Something sparked inside of him when he saw Neji's jacket on Sakura's shoulder while Neji had only his mesh shirt on.

Sakura was about to panic. Sasuke was at the table and she could see anger on his eyes although his whole face remained passive. She was about to take a seat beside Neji when Lee stood up and offered his seat to her. She glanced to Neji for help and he just nodded her head urging her to take the seat. Nervously she took the seat beside her husband.

As her body was about to touch the seat she gave out a squeak when Sasuke hauled her to his lap and gave her a long deep kiss on the mouth. Everyone was shocked. They know that things were not that good between them and they didn't expect for Sasuke to make this kind of display with Sakura in public.

The kiss was long and demanding. Sakura wanted to push Sasuke away but she thought against it. She doesn't want to complicate things by rejecting her husband in front of their friends.

"Hey get a room." Naruto shouted when they broke apart.

Sakura went beet red and hastily scrambled to her seat that made Sasuke smirk.

Sasuke whispered at Sakura's ear when she settled down to her seat. "Nice jacket."

"It's Neji's"

"I thought I told you to stay away from him?"

"Yes you did."

"And?. . ."

"I decided not to listen"

Sasuke was about to make a retort when Shikamaru took the stage and got everyone's attention.

"This is so troublesome. . ." he grumbled "But I think that having Ino as my soon to be wife is worth all the trouble in the world."

Awwwssss sounded all over the club.

"Anyway, I would like to propose a toast to my bride, Ino, thank you for having me and although I only wanted a simple life with a plain wife, well who am I to reject the love of the most beautiful girl in all of Konoha. I love you honey." Shikamaru ended with a little blush.

As always, Kiba wasn't about to be left out. He grabbed the microphone after Shikamaru and made a toast of his own.

"To the engaged couple, Shika and Ino may you make each others life exciting. For Shika, I hope you'll get the earplugs I've told you and for Ino, get a megaphone to wake up lazy bones everytime he has a relapse. Heheheheh. . . ."

Everyone laugh at his joke.

The party went on, at one time couples started dancing. Everyone was pairing off. Shika and Ino, Naruto and Hinata, Kiba also asked tenten to dance and that leaves, Neji, Sasuke and Sakura on the table.

Sakura was starting to nod her head off. She was emotionally tired this past few days and added with the sake that they have been drinking sleep has finally winning on her.

Neji has been eyeing her the whole night when suddenly he stood up and offered his hand to Sakura for a dance. But before she could accept it, Sasuke butted in.

"Don't even think about it. She's dancing with me" and he grabbed the drowsy kunoichi's hands and led her to the dancefloor.

Sasuke was smirking all the way to the dancefloor

"Stupid Hyuuga, ha! I won" he said to himself as if dancing with his wife is a contest.

As they dance, Sakura was in a daze. She took a glance to her husband who was still wearing that smug smirk on his face.

Sasuke was feeling euphoric while dancing. Who could have thought that dancing with his wife would make him feel so.

The music suddenly changed into an up beat one and most couples took their seat. Sakura turned to go back to the group but Sasuke pulled her back.

"c'mon sweetheart, let's dance." Sasuke urged her.

"I'm tired, Sasuke."

"I'm tired too but i think it's worth my time to be dancing with my beautiful wife, don't you think."

Sakura was taken aback. Did Sasuke just complement her? So she temporarily forgot her anger with Sasuke and danced with him. They're pretty much absorbed with dancing that they didn't notice that the crowd parted to give way to them. The cheers that greeted them at the end of their performance snapped them to reality. Immediately, Sakura let go of Sasuke's shoulders that she has been holding unconsciously.

The gang gave out loud cheers when the couple went back to their seats.

And of course, Ino couldn't held her tongue and made a comment.

"i thought i'ts suppose to be our night and there you are forehead girl, you just couldn't help but steal the limelight from me, huh?" ino joked.

Sakura opted not to comment and just shrugged her shoulders while Sasuke just smirked and flashed an evil grin along Neji's way.

It's very amusing to see the last Uchiha act like a 5 year old.

The party progressed late into the night and most of the gang is getting a little tipsy. Most of them are drunk because they want to celebrate Shika and Ino's upcoming wedding. As for Sakura, she did it to drown her depression and for Sasuke, he's still a little annoyed with Sakura's stint with Neji.

Neji and Sasuke was in a glaring contest for hours and both of them don't want to back down. It seemed that the little interruption that Sakura made before the wedding and the not so innocent scene that Sasuke caught Sakura and Neji at the Uchiha's manor was fueling them both.

Tired of the whole fiasco between the two highly testosterone driven men, Sakura, who was a little tipsy, stood up and bade ino and Shikamaru goodnight, begging off being tired. Sasuke immediately followed his wife out of the bar after murmuring his goodnight to the engaged couple.

The onyx haired man immediately took off in a run to find his errant wife who seemed to disappear from the bar. He saw a glimpse of pink hair rounding up in a corner to the cherry blossom grove. He quickens his pace to catch up with her. He cut her off while she approached the tree in the middle of the grove.

"What… are you doing here?" asked his wife

"Hn" he responded while glaring

"Okay, you just followed to glare at me? C'mon Sasuke, cut it out. If you want someone to bully, sorry, I don't have the time or the energy. So please will you just go home." Sakura said tiredly.

"Is that it? I'm not the one who started this by screaming her guts out to her husband."

"Oh pleeeeaaaasssssseeeeeeeee, Sasuke, I have the right to scream my head off, you know! It's not like I am some idiot to play dumb while my husband cavort with his ex. Oooppppsss, sorry, wrong term, hmmm what's the right word, oh yeah, girlfriend, you haven't broke up with Misao yet eventhough we are married right? Ah forget it Sasuke, I won't discuss it anymore. Please just leave me. You're making me dizzy" Sakura slurred her rants

"I'm not the one who wants to drown herself in sake."

"Oh right, you're just the one who cheats on his wife publicly"

Before Sasuke could think of a good comeback, an ANBU appeared and told him to follow him.

Sasuke just glanced at Sakura and took off leaving the tipsy pink haired mednin to wallow in her misery.

Sasuke didn't come home that night or the following night after that. Sakura, eventhough she would prefer not to worry can't help herself. She feels annoyed with herself that despite all the things that she has been through with Sasuke, she still feels concerned if not desperately in love with her husband.

Three days before Shikamaru and Ino's wedding. . .

Sakura was doing the laundry when the doorbell rang. Kotetsu, who was the Hokage's personal assistant/secretary/errand boy was at the door.

"Tsunade-sama wants to see you."

"Why?"

"Don't know, but she said it was important"

"Okay let's go"

They went to the Hokage's office to talk to with Tsunade. After a brief knock, she was bid to enter the office.

"Sit down, Sakura" Tsunade said

After getting comfortable on the chair in front of Tsunade's desk, Sakura asked her why she needed to talk to her.

"Sakura, I understand that you are loaded with responsibilities especially to the Uchiha but we need your services.

"In what way?"

"You are the best medic nin in all Konoha and you know that we are presently lacking of men in that field"

Sakura got a hint of what's going on and answered "You know about Sasuke's marriage condition right? The one about not working?"

"Yes, I know that but we can't do anything about it. You are still a ninja of Konoha and eventhough you are on a hiatus, you are still a kunoichi of this village and in you shoulders held a responsibility. I am not asking you to work full time but I'll be needing you when there are serious treatments."

"When will that be?"

"It would be incase we are short of people to administer emergency surgeries. I'll be also needing you to study scrolls on several alternative medicine and chakra improvement and control when you are jot performing surgeries." Tsunade explained

"That's all of it? I could count on it that you will only call me to the hospital on those dire circumstances?" the mednin asked for reassurement.

"Yes, I only be needing you on those times, So do you accept? Don't worry I'll talk to Sasuke about it."

"AA… ano.. Tsunade-shishou I'll accept the job but don't tell Sasuke, I'll tell him."

"Very well, thank you. You may go."

"Thank you shishou." She said and gave a bow.

At the door Sakura suddenly turned and beamed at the hokage. "Well, shishou, among other responsibilities that the job incurs me to do, I expect that I'll be the one to deliver Hinata's baby."

"But of course, Naruto will be thrilled." The Hokage replied.

She took another step and suddenly remembered something.

"Tsunade-sama, do you have any news about Sasuke? It's been days that he hasn't come home. Did he have a mission?"

The blond well endowed woman had a slight frown on her face before answering. "Well Sakura, I didn't gave him a mission, although I have some suspicions as to why he hasn't come home, but rest assured that he is still alive and on important things. I made a deal not to meddle in your marriage life and I'm keeping it so you better talk to him when he comes home."

"Okay Shishou, thanks"

As she traced her steps back to the Uchiha mansion, Sakura cant help thinking that the Hokage knows something that she doesn't. A lot of ideas came to mind however, the one bothering her is about Sasuke might be sleeping in his apartment at night and was spending his time with Misao.

As she approached the mansion, she saw it loomed in front of her. The place looks so forbidding and the thought coming home to an empty house weighted on her heart. She decided to walk around the village before coming home.

Sakura went home late, she spend the afternoon at the grove thinking about the situation with Sasuke.

When the Stars begins to show in the dark skies, she realized that she spend 3 hours at the cherry blossom grove and decided to go home.

When she arrived home, She found Sasuke on the sofa. He was wearing a white shirt and looks asleep. She tried to approach him but she noticed that there is something wrong with his aura.

She ignore him but curiosity got the best of her. She noticed that his body was angled awkwardly on the sofa and she realized that he passed out. A red spot was forming on his pristine white shirt on the right side of his torso.

She slowly lifted the shirt and saw a poorly bandage abdomen of his husband. Blood was seeping out of the wound wrapped in a torn cloth.

"Sasuke must have passed out in blood loss" she said to herself

She knelt down in front of him and started to heal his wound. She also noticed some scratched and faint bruises on his face and neck.

Sakura was almost finished healing Sasuke when he woke up.

The first thing that Sasuke was when he opened his onyx eyes was that the face of his wife hovering over him in complete concentration while healing him. He was surprised to see her and he started to move.

"Don't move yet, you will reopen the wound, I'm almost finish." She warned

Sasuke stopped his movements and let his wife heal him completely. After Sakura has finished she pulled down his shirt and stood up. Sasuke grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving. Sakura just stared at him blankly. He was about to say thanks when she interrupted him.

"It's my job to heal injured people. Don't bother thanking me." She said coldly

With that she left him and went inside their bedroom.

Sasuke was left dumbfolded on the Sofa.

It seems that the roles have been reversed. Sakura was now the one to ignore him and he was the one to practically have to try to gain attention from his wife.

The day of Ino and Shikamaru's wedding . . .

Everything went on smoothing during the wedding. Luckily, it didn't rain and the guest was very thankful for that however no one was more thankful than Shikamaru about the good weather. He doesn't want a pissed off bride on his wedding night.

Almost all who were invited attended with some exceptions of some jounins who had an emergency mission.

The reception was held in the large garden owned by the Yamanaka's and to everyone's delight, the reception area looked magnificent. There a lost of flowers on bloom and a lively atmosphere in the air.

Of course, the gang was complete, that's includes the pregnant couple Uzumaki Naruto and Hinata. The ever dynamic duo of Kiba and Akamaru, Shino who was in euphoria because of the bugs in the garden, Tenten and Lee who was convinced not to wear his jumpsuit instead had donned a traditional hakama. Chouji, of course was present because he is the bestman. Neji was also there as heir of the Hyuuga clan, and lastly the Uchiha couple who seemed to be trying to look happy but was failing miserably.

To Sakura's irritation, she saw a glimpse of Misao in the area and was pissed off. She wondered why she was there. Sometime after seeing Misao she heard that she was there because Ino's mom and her dad are acquainted and therefore was invited to the wedding.

As the party progressed, Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves except Sakura. She was getting more depressed each day. She and Sasuke have not been talking and it makes her irritated and also disheartened. Although she started to cook meals for him once again but they only talk to each other if necessary and they never eat together.

She heard movement from her husband and saw him stood up and glanced at her as if saying that he'll circulate among the guest but he'll be back. Sakura just nod and he walked away from him.

It was almost half an hour but she could not find Sasuke among the guest so she decided to talk a breath away from the crowd and go to one of the areas hidden away from the guests. As she was turning a curve, she was shocked at the scene she saw.

Misao was in the arms of Sasuke and was weeping her heart out. It took a minute to make her brain function and prompted her legs to turn away from the scene. Both didn't see her as they were engrossed on the little intimate scene they are in.

Sakura was numbed. She didn't remember walking away from the reception area and going to the training ground that team 7 used when they were still genins. She remembered all the memories that happened in that area. She remembered how happy she was when she was teamed up with Sasuke, how she feel more deeply in-love each passing day she spent with him and how he adored the ground he walked on.

Unbidden tears flowed from heart eyes and she lost all her control and slid don on the ground leaning heavily to the pole where Naruto was once tied.

After Several minutes of letting her emotions out, she stood up, put a blank face and walk towards the Uchiha mansion.

No one will know about the scene she saw and no one will ever find out that she saw it. Sakura started to become a walking icicle from that day forth.

Sasuke went home that night but as he saw his wife on the bed sleeping with scrolls on her stomach, he didn't bothered waking her. He slept soundly that night unknowingly that their situation will turn to worse the very next day.

Months past after Ino and Shikamaru's wedding and still the Uchiha couple was like ghost to each other. Sasuke would rarely see his wife awake. Sakura made herself scarce to everyone except when she was summoned to the hospital for emergency surgeries or to buy stuff for the house.

Everybody seemed to notice how she became detached to their friends. Even Naruto has difficulty talking to her. If he ever caught her, she would try to beg off and would reason that she had something to do or she was expected at the hospital.

Sasuke didn't know about Sakura's little job at the hospital. She was always carefully to tell patients not to divulge that she operated on them and was very strict to the hospital staff not to tell about her work to anyone especially to Sasuke.

Of course, it didn't go unnoticed by Tsunade and she was confronted by it. She just told her that she and Sasuke had a marital rift and was not able to tell him about the job. She also told the hokage not to tell and help her keep her secret until she can smoothen things out with Sasuke, of course that would never happened seeing that they rarely see or talk.

7 weeks before Hinata's due date . . .

Sakura was coming home from another hospital summon. It was quite a difficult job this time. A number of jounins were ambushed and was severely injured. She was called to tend to one jounin in particular who was a serious condition of having to loose his right leg if he could not have an emergency surgery to fix the shattered bones and to extract the countless number of fragments that was imbedded on his leg. His condition was somewhat similar to Lee's, fortunately; Sakura has performed the surgery and was able to save his leg on time.

It almost took 10 hours for Sakura to save him. And she was exhausted to the point where she can barely hold her body upright on her way back to the Uchiha compound. Luckily on her part, Sasuke must have been on a mission. She was thankful that for almost 5 months, Sasuke has never found out of her moonlighting job at the hospital.

She passed Ichiraku on the way to the compound and decided that she was so tired to fix her own dinner. So she dragged her feet to the shop and ordered a Miso ramen. Halfway on finishing her ramen, she was surprised when Neji slide to the seat beside her and proceeded to order.

"Hey" the white eye byakugan holder greeted her.

"Hey yourself." She answered

"You looked tired, another moonlighting job again?"

Sakura eye twitched. She was surprised that Neji knows about her job. " Oh, you knew about that."

"Well, almost all the Rookie 9 knew except for that dumb husband of yours." Neji replied

"Oi, that's my husband you are taking about." She defended Sasuke.

"Yeah, a husband who leaves his new wife all alone that she took a job at the hospital to pass her time."

"That's not true." The pink haired girl protested.

"Is it? Who do you think you are taking to? It's me Neji, the one you cry your eyes out? And besides you can't lie to me. I'm a human lie detector." He said smirking.

"Stuff it, wise ass."

"But seriously Sakura, how have you been?"

"Neji, don't ask me questions that I, myself couldn't answer."

"But - - -"

"Not now Neji, maybe later. As for now, let's just eat."

They ate in silence and with Neji glancing on her direction once in a while.

As they finished Neji invited her to walk for a while.

They found themselves again at the cherry blossom grove. Sakura mind was wandering off when Neji ask her a question.

"What did you say?"

"I said, What could have happened when you decided to go with me at the Hyuuga summer house rather than marrying Sasuke." Neji asked.

"I don't know Neji. I will surely be miserable."

"Right, you are going to be miserable because of a broken heart but at least it's not because you have this great urge to stay with someone who doesn't love you and who constantly emotionally hurts you."

"I know, Neji, believe me I know but that still doesn't change the fact that I am already married to him."

Neji has nothing to answer with that.

For several minutes they were silent. Only the rustling of leaves can be heard. Then out of the blue Neji decided to drop a bomb.

"I love you, Sakura."

Sakura was dumb folded. She couldn't believe that the Hyuuga genius just declared his feelings towards her. She has no idea that Neji loved her.

"I know this is not a great time for me to say this but I always feel something special about you. I don't know how it happened but I fell for you."

"I..I.. Neji, I don't know what to say." Sakura stuttered

"I don't expect anything from you. I just want to see you happy, Sakura."

With that Neji engulfed her in a tight hug.

"So this is where you have been."

The two was shocked when the lone Uchiha survivor appeared in front of them and the two instantly broke apart. His eyes were blazing sharingan red and he was extremely angry.

"I can see that you have disobeyed me again, Sakura" Sasuke said while shaking in anger. "Let's go home, dear wife" he said dangerously.

"Wait a minute Uchiha, don't you dare hurt her." Neji interrupted the couple who was about to turn back from him.

"Butt-off white eyed freak. Stay out of this, it's none of your business." Sasuke shouted.

He then grabbed Sakura and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Back at the Uchiha manor . . .

Sakura and Sasuke appeared in their bedroom and in an instant Sakura cowered away from Sasuke.

"Wait Sasuke… I ..I can explain."

"No need for words, wife. I have seen it in my own eyes."

Sakura was puzzled. 'What did Sasuke saw.? There was nothing between me and Neji.' She thought

"I understand that we are not on good terms but that doesn't mean you can be promiscuous." Sasuke said as he stalked Sakura.

Sakura backed away from him but was stopped by the edge of the bed. She lost her balance and she fell backwards to the bed.

She was still eyeing Sasuke with a little fear when he spoke. "I know, I have been neglecting my husbandly duties but tonight I'll rectify that."

He then took off his shirt and straddle Sakura in their bed. Sakura was shocked of what implication did Sasuke words mean when the onyx haired man started kissing her neck and unbuttoned her blouse.

When Sasuke was about to lower the strap of her bra she then protested. "No, Sasuke…please… not this way." She pleaded

"I know you still want it Sakura. And I would make sure you will still want it." He then captured her lips and fondled her breast.

Sakura struggled, although half heartedly, but she did. After a few minutes of struggling, she became aroused. Sasuke was still roughly touching and kissing her but that did not stop her to crave for sex with her husband.

SAsuke noticed Sakura stopped struggling and then change from rough to passionate. He did everything he knew about how to please a woman to Sakura. In the end, the once estranged Uchiha couple was slick with sweat and was on the brink of orgasm.

When it hit, it was nothing that they both had ever experience. It was explosive. It was hot. It was hard, dirty, extremely mind blowing sex they ever had.

Sasuke move away from Sakura, as their heart beat became normal it became clear that they still haven't patched things up with each other. 15 minutes passed and Sasuke was breathing evenly a sign that he was asleep.

Sakura on the other hand was trying to stop the tears that are forming in her eyes. She glanced at her sleeping husband and decided that she can't stay another minute in his arms so she slowing untangled their limbs and got out of bed.

She was at the door when she heard Sasuke's voice. "Where are you going?"

"I'm just taking a night away from you. I need time to think Sasuke. I'll be back my morning. Don't worry I won't be with Neji." With that Sakura went out the door.

Sasuke was left in contemplation. He was a little sorry of how the things turned out. Frustrated he ceremoniously punched his pillow.

Somewhere in Konoha . . .

Sakura found herself knocking at the Uzumaki household. When a groggy Naruto opened the door he was shocked to see a teary eyed Sakura.

The pink haired kunoichi, upon seeing her brother, launched herself to him and cried her eyes out.

The kyuubi holder was out of words. He knew Sasuke made her cry. He cradled her, closed the door and sat on the sofa, his arms still held the sobbing woman.

"What's wrong Sakura?" he asked gently.

"I.. I.. nothing Naruto.. a-a-no, can I..sniff.. crash here…sniff.. for the night."

"Sure Sakura-chan, you know you are always welcome here. But tell me what made you cry?"

"I don't want to talk about it Naruto, Please I just want to sleep." She pleaded.

Naruto just nodded and carried her to the guest room. The one she always stays when she sleeps over.

He passed his wife and signaled her not to ask questions. He then asked her to open the quest room and turn over the comforter. He then deposited his sister and in an instant Sakura went to sleep.

Naruto coverd Sakura with a blanket, stood up and assisted his wife out the door. As the door closed Hinata asked. "what happened?"

Naruto facial expression was grim." I don't know but I would find out tomorrow. For now, she needs rest and we too, need ours. Let's go to bed." He said.

As they lay on their bed, Naruto thought are with Sasuke and what he was about to do to him tomorrow.

Hours before dawn . . .

Sakura woke up due to loud banging of doors, hurried footsteps and people panicking. She hurriedly stood up and went outside.

A sight was to behold. Naruto was carrying his wife while a number of his Kage bushins were carrying bags and pillows.

He just about to run past her when she asked.

"Naruto, what's going on?"

"Oh, Sakura-chan, I forgot about you, you see…. I panicked and I don't know what to do, Hinata woke me up and said her stomach is aching them suddenly the bed was wet and her water broke so I made some kage bushins to help me take her to the hospital but all of them also panicked . I don't know what to do. I have to get her to the hospital and I have to bring her bag and favorite pillow. I have to inform Tsunade-baa-chan and ask for her help and I--"

Sakura cut off the rambling of a very panicked Naruto.

"Okay, go straight to the hospital. I'll tell Tsunade-shishou and I will be personally delivering your child."

"Thanks, sis. I know I can count on you and ---"

A scream cut-off what Naruto was saying.

"Naruto, dammit, get me to the hospital." Hinata shouted.

"Right away ma'am." He answered. and took off.

Sakura followed them out the door.

At the hospital . . .

Arashi Hiashi Naruto Uzumaki was born 3 minutes after 10 0' clock in the morning. Hinata had a long and painful labor. Sakura was tired but was happy to deliver the Uzumaki heir.

Almost all of their friends were there. The newlyweds, Ino and Shikamaru, Chouji, Neji who was very agitated, Shino, Kiba who have to leave Akamaru outside the hospital and Lee. Tenten was on a mission and was expected to go home tomorrow.

Eveyone was ecstatic when they heard about the new baby. They immediately asked to see Hinata and Arashi.

After another thirty minutes of cooing Arashi while Naruto beamed his new born son, Sakura was called off by one of the nurses.

"Sakura-sama, I know that you are tired but we are currently short of doctors. Two of them had flu and is absent. We have some patients that need check-up. Could you please see them. It only two patients it will not take an hour to see them." The nurse said

"Okay, give me their charts." Sakura said.

Sakura's first patient was a child with a broken arm. She was being difficult because the cast was becoming itching an she wants to take it off. After 10 minutes of explaining to her and a little threat, the child conceded and Sakura went off to her next patient.

She was reading the patient's medical record. It states

Work: Ninja

Status: Jounin

Findings: Pregnant (8 weeks)

Sakura was surprised to see the patients profile. 'Hmmmm, who could it she be… I didn't see her name on the chart.' She thought.

She scanned through the sheets and when she saw the name it hit her. Rishuki Misao.

The name taunted her. It shocked her world. Who could be the father?

She hurriedly went to the room where Misao stayed. The door was slightly opened and she was about to knock when she heard crying from inside the room.

She took a peek and she was shocked beyond words.

There she saw Misao crying her heart out in the arm of Uchiha Sasuke.

Sakura gently closed the door and then took off running away from the scene.

---000---000---000—

Hours passed and the gang wondered where Sakura is. Most of them had already gone home and took showers and came back again with stuff for the baby.

Neji was exhausted because he was running back and forth between the hospital and Hyuuga compound to bear Hiashi the good news and to bring stuff that the elders, the branch house and some of the household servants that Hinata was close to Hinata and her baby.

It was 8 pm when he finally went home to his apartment. He dragged his weary feet to his doorstep when a sniffle made him aware of a presence.

He immediately scanned the area and was surprised to see Sakura huddled in a corner.

"Sakura, what are you doing here?" He asked her

Sakura was startled but immediately stood up when she recognized Neji.

"I was waiting for you."

"Why?"

"I-I I would like to ask if your offer still stands?"

"Be specific Sakura"

"I mean about the Hyuuga summer house. Please Neji, don't ask questions. Let's leave tonight. Please."

"Alright, just left me get some stuff and will go." With that Neji let Sakura entered his apartment.

30 Minutes later, two cloaked figure was spotted exiting the gates of Konoha.

That was followed by a series of events.

The next morning, the Uzumaki couple was asked by the Hyuuga elders why Neji hadn't appeared for an early morning meeting.

Tsunade was frantic because she can't find Sakura. A note was only seen taped in one of her sake bottle it states:

Shishou,

I am leaving Konoha. I'ts indefinite when will I be coming back. I will definitely come back but I don't know when. Please explain to everyone why I am not around. Tell them I need time to think. Forgive me shishou, It was bad that I did not say goodbye to personally but I know if I did you will try to stop me. I'm safe Shishou. I know will have someone to find be but I'm with someone and I'll be staying at their house. Please don't be mad. I'll miss you.

P.S. don't tell anything to Sasuke. Promise me Shishou. As long as he doesn't know anything about me I'll be safe.

Sakura

Tsunade crumpled the note. A minute after, a chair sailed through the glass window.

Uchiha Sasuke had a huge hangover. He was spent the night at his apartment getting drunk. He went back to the manor an hour before noon and took a shower. Fishing for a set of clothes he noticed that some of his wife's unmentionables are missing. A frown marred his forehead. He immediately went to Sakura's cabinet and found some of her clothes gone. He glanced at the table to see that her copy of Team 7 picture is gone as well.

He immediately put on some clothes and went out to find her. He asked almost everyone about her whereabouts no one has seen her. In a desperate attempt to find her, he went to the Hyuuga mansion and asked for Neji only to find he is also missing.

A fear crept in his heart. It seems that Sakura had left him. And it also seems that she went with Neji.

Upon the realization, Uchiha Sasuke, the great stoic bastard of Konoha, the last living Uchiha felt numb. He went back to the manor, sat in front of his wedding picture while drinking loads of sake and for the first time after the Massacre of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke wept.

The end.

---

A/N: I would love to cut it here but I think it's not much of a cliffie so I'll continue . . . hehehe

Eight years passed . . .

Konoha, despite of some minor skirmish with missing nins, is still peaceful.

It was another day in Konoha and Uchiha Sasuke, now 30, was walking the halls of the Hokage tower.

He just came from another S-class mission and was to report to the Hokage when a child bump him on a turn. Due to the impact the child lost his balance and fell

"Gomenasai" the child said.

Sasuke help the boy up and was surprised to see green eyes greeted him.

"Hey, little man why are you here?" He asked.

"I was curious about this place, mom said that she once lived here." The boy answered.

"And who is your mom? I think you are lost."

Before the child could answer Neji appeared.

"Shun, didn't I told you not to wander off?"

"Gomenasai, Dada, I was curious."

Neji just ruffled the boy's head and looked at Sasuke.

"Uchiha"

"Hyuuga"

With that they went on their separate ways.

Sasuke was still wondering about the boy. 'Is that his son? It might be, He has dark long hair and calls him dada.'

But then something nagged him. 'Wait a minute, did that boy had green eyes?'

Sasuke visible shook when he realized that must have been the mother of that boy. He tried to piece all the parts together. Sakura vanished the same day as Neji, then 8 years later he found a boy with long straight hair and green eyes, calls Neji dada and got a mom who used to live here in Konoha. He was still pondering on that matter when he arrived at the Hokage's door. He knocked and was told to enter. He closed the door and was to give a bow to Tsunade when he noticed a beautiful woman with luscious curves with long pink hair reaching her waist.

Wait – a – minute?!? Pink hair? There is only one woman in Konoha who can have audience with the Hokage and be confident about it.

The woman turned his way and greeted him.

"Hello Sasuke." Sakura said

"S-s-sakura?"

A/N: at long last I had finished chapter 6. Gosh, it took a year for me to update but hopefully I had satisfied you. This was 20 pages in MsWord and I hope you all are happy about it. Next chapter will contain what happened to Sakura in the span of 8 years and her reunion with her friends. Please review… Love you guys. angel