AN: Hi! I know, I know…it's been a year. More than a year actually. I really do feel bad about putting the story on hiatus for soo long, but I had a lot of stuff going on and even when I had some time, it was like complete mental meltdown…I mean nothing was coming out whenever I tried to write! I can imagine that a lot of readers have abandoned this story and honestly, even I thought about calling it quits for a while, but I just couldn't. Sooo for those of you that still want to continue reading…THANKS, I love you and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Two years.

Two years.

Two fucking years?!

Sasuke resisted the urge to tear the file in his hands to shreds. Why hadn't she said anything about this to him? Did she just expect to leave for two years without anyone noticing? He flipped the file closed and placed it back in its original place.

Sakura was leaving for two years goddamit. She might have already left.

Sasuke's mind reeled at the thought. This wasn't like her in any shape or form; she never left her friends hanging, let alone him. But she hadn't told him anything about this aside from a brief mentioning of the mission.

" Uchiha, what couldn't wait until at least 7 am?"

Sasuke stiffened upon hearing the tired, irritated voice of Tsunade. She was the one would had ordered Sakura to take on this mission.

"Well…what the hell do you want?"

The seething man barely spared her a cold glance before silently walking out of the office leaving Tsunade and Shizune puzzled by his actions.

Sakura yawned as she walked down the street away from her apartment building.

Why did I agree to go on such an early mission? I know I'm not a morning person!!

Six in the morning was quite early wasn't it? It probably didn't help that she had barely slept a wink the night before. Infuriating thoughts of Uchiha Sasuke had plagued her mind as she tossed and turned in bed and even this morning, her heart and mind were still focused on him.

"I want us to be together."

"You…do?"

The painful conversation from last night kept replaying itself in her head.

"But I know it's not fair."

"What does fair have to do with it?"

"Everything."

And then Sasuke had dealt the death blow…

"Don't you see? I used you."

Even now, hours later, that last phrase still hurt to think about. True, she knew he had only wanted her for sex, but hearing it out loud was hard to bear. She really didn't mean anything to him. Hell, did he even think of her as a friend anymore?

Tears clouded her eyes and she tried her best to blink them away.

God Sakura, get a grip…it's over between you and Sasuke now. Stop blubbering like a baby!

She was thankful no one was out on the streets this early in the morning to see her struggling with her turbulent emotions. As she approached the gates of Konoha, she couldn't help but think back to when she had tried to prevent Sasuke from leaving all those years ago.

I was so stupid back then…actually thinking that what I said or did would affect him.

Sighing heavily, Sakura readjusted the small pack on her shoulders and ran a hand through her slightly tousled pink locks.

Just forget about him already. It's time to go…

After taking one last glance at her beloved hometown, she walked through the archway, out of Konoha.

Sasuke was running as fast as his legs could carry him. Breathing heavily, he bolted up the stairs of Sakura's apartment building and only paused when he reached the familiar door he knew led into her apartment.

Please be here. Please let her still be here.

Knocking frantically, Sasuke felt a strong, irrational fear gripping his heart. Even though he knew if he didn't find her here he could go after her, he felt like if she made it that far away from him it would almost be too late. Like her heart would be totally hardened against anything he could possibly say.

Damn it!

She wasn't answering.

He rested his forehead against the door, fearing that she was already gone for good. Sasuke's hand brushed over the hastily patched-up hole above the door handle and he was reminded of how he had let himself into her apartment only yesterday. He wouldn't need to do that today. It was obvious she wasn't home.

Fuck…what do I do now?

Sasuke left the apartment building and tried to calm himself down. This gut-wrenching fear was foreign to him.

I can't let her leave without knowing that I feel this way…

Whether by habit or instinct, Sasuke ended up approaching the towering entrance of Konoha deep in thought. It was still empty and quiet, with the light of the early morning sun just barely peeking out over the surrounding trees.

She was here…

The faint feeling of her chakra filled his senses as he approached the gates.

How long ago did she leave?

Judging by the fact that he could even detect her chakra, she couldn't be that far ahead of him. Maybe he still had a chance to catch her. Bending down to adjust his shoes before he sprinted off after her, Sasuke spared a glance back at the sleeping city.

"Sasuke-kun?"

It was as if his heart had stopped beating completely. Turning back toward Konoha's entrance, Sasuke was shocked to see Sakura standing there in the archway.

"Sasuke, what are you....why are you…"

Sasuke rose from his crouched position and took a step toward her.

"Sakura…"

Sakura hadn't planned on having to return back to Konoha fifteen minutes after she had just left. But when she realized that she had brought the wrong medical reference book with her, she knew she needed to return quickly and retrieve the right one.

What she hadn't planned on however, was seeing Uchiha Sasuke at Konoha's entrance. Surprise washed over her like a tidal wave, stealing the very breath out of her throat.

"Sasuke, what are you….why are you…."

The dark-haired man seemed to have a strange light in his eyes that she had never seen before.

"Sakura…"

He was moving toward her now and she couldn't help but back away a little.

"Sasuke-kun, what are you doing out here?"

He clenched his jaw and a recognizable expression of anger flashed across his face.

"What am I doing out here? Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

Sakura tried not to let his icy tone intimidate her as she responded. "I told you I had a mission this morning and –"

"Only because we ran into each other last night. If that hadn't happened, you wouldn't have said anything about it."

Sakura bristled at his interruption. "And why does that matter…why do I have to tell you anything?"

If she hadn't have known him so well, she would have missed the look of complete surprise that flashed through his eyes. And was that an expression of pain that clouded his features? No, it couldn't be.

He doesn't care about you remember?

"Really Sasuke...why are you here bothering me? I just want to leave for my mission in peace."

Sasuke was staring at her with narrowed eyes and an unreadable expression. She ignored it and plowed on with words she had always wanted to say.

"I mean, you always go on missions without telling me about them! You do what you have to do and I understand!"

"Sakura, just hear me out—"

Holding up a hand, Sakura halted his speech.

"No Sasuke! I'm leaving and that's final. Stop trying to control what I do. It's not like you actually care!"

Turning away from the man she had spent a lifetime being in love with, Sakura was surprised to feel wetness brimming from the corners of her eyes.

He can't see me cry…I have to leave.

Sakura made to walk away from him with as much dignity as she could muster in her emotional state, but was stopped by a firm hand on her wrist.

"Sakura stop!"

She tried to pull out of his grip, but to no avail.

"Let go of me!"

"No."

Sasuke pulled her around so that they were face to face, only inches apart.

"You're wrong about everything. I do care. Too much really."

"But…Sasuke…you don't—"

Sakura didn't have the chance to finish what she was going to say because suddenly Sasuke was kissing her with more passion than she had ever experienced before. Strong arms pulled her body flush against his and held her captive there, while hot, demanding lips covered her own.

Surprised, Sakura was unresponsive for a few moments, before she tried futilely to push him away. It was over quickly however and Sakura was left reeling in the wake of the assault.

"Sasuke, you can't keep doing that!"

Sasuke didn't respond immediately and Sakura used his silence as an opportunity to speak again.

"It's always physical! There's always been something that's meant more to you Sasuke-kun. Getting power, having your revenge—"

Sasuke shook his head. "Not anymore."

"What…do you mean?"

"You."

"Me?"

"You matter more. You mean the most to me."

"Wha—" Sasuke gripped her wrist again and used it to pull her against him.

"I love you."

Sakura couldn't help the gasp that came from her throat. Stunned, she stared at Sasuke's face, looking for some sign that this was a joke, but found none. All that she could see were deep, black eyes filled with rawness and yearning that she had never seen in them before.

"You…love me?"

A warm hand reached up to push a few stray hairs out of her face.

"Yes."

Sakura couldn't help it; hearing him agree caused a wave of emotion to rise up in her chest and settle in her throat uncomfortably. It was all she could do to keep from crying uncontrollably right in front of him.

Hold it together!

"Sasuke-kun, I…I…I…"

Sakura's trembling voice betrayed her emotions.

"I mean, you can't…it's just not…not…"

A sob escaped before she had a chance to say anything more. She felt Sasuke's arms wrap around her small frame and he held her firmly against his chest.

"I know you probably don't believe me, but…it's the truth."

Sakura could feel his heart beating erratically against her.

"I thought I could just be friends with you, but I can't. I need more."

Tilting her face up to his, Sasuke again stole her breath away with a kiss. And this time Sakura couldn't keep herself from responding. Grasping the back of his dark shirt, she pulled herself even closer to his solid frame. Their mouths moved in practiced motions, as Sasuke tangled one hand in her hair and used the other to clutch her waist.

Is this real?

Sakura let out a small gasp as his tongue explored her mouth and she clutched his shoulders for support. She had never felt so close to him before.

I love him so much…

And all too soon it was over. Sasuke pulled away from her eager lips and rested his forehead against her own. His breathing was ragged as he whispered to her.

"Don't…don't leave."

And what else could she do in response except to pull his mouth back down to hers?

Sasuke couldn't believe it. He had found Sakura in time, he had actually told her he loved her, and now he had her in his arms and was kissing her like his life depended on it.

I've missed this…

Eventually they broke apart from each other, but he kept Sakura firmly in his embrace.

"Does this mean you'll stay?"

It was strange to be asking such a vulnerable question, but he couldn't help it. He had already put himself so far out there that he didn't have anything to lose anymore.

Sakura looked up at him and smiled shyly. "You know I need to go on this mission."

"What?"

"Sasuke I'll only be gone two weeks, I don't see why this is such a big deal."

Sasuke choked. "Wait, what?"

"I'll be gone two weeks."

"But, the file said…"

Sakura stared at him with dawning comprehension. "Oh that…well there was a misprint in there that said the duration of the mission was two years, but Shizune was too lazy to fix it so—

Sasuke abruptly released her from his arms and ran a shaky hand through his hair.

You have got to be kidding me.

"Sasuke-kun, are you okay?"

No! I thought you were leaving for two fucking years!

Sakura stepped closer to him again and tried to read his strange expression.

"Does this mean you take back what you said?"

He glared at her menacingly.

"Okay okay…I guess that's a no then."

Sakura grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers. "I know you're upset because you thought I was leaving for two years without telling you, but don't go and get all surly on me."

Sasuke tried to ignore how good it felt to have her hand in his own.

"Hn."

Taking him by surprise, Sakura leaned up to kiss him chastely on the lips.

"I love you too."

So this is what it feels like…

Sasuke tried to contain the feeling of joy that coursed through him at the mere mention of those three words.

She still loves me.

Sasuke bent down and kissed her again, but Sakura stopped him before things went too far.

"And if you really love me like you say you do, you'll be waiting when I come back."

Sasuke sighed. It would be a long two weeks.

Two Weeks Later

Sakura sighed happily as she jumped through the tree-tops on her way back to Konoha. Her mission complete, she could now return to her normal job, her friends, and most importantly, the man she hadn't stopped thinking about for two weeks straight.

He loved her. He actually loved her.

She was suddenly filled by such a strong feeling of giddiness that she couldn't help a smile from spreading across her face. Sasuke really felt the same way that she did.

So this is what I've been missing out on all these years!

Spotting the distant silhouettes of Konoha's walls, Sakura grinned excitedly. She was almost home!

Soon I'll see Sasuke-kun!

As excited as she was, she couldn't completely ignore the small, but persistent feeling of doubt about the upcoming reunion.

What if he's changed his mind?

After all he had put her through, the way they had reconciled just seemed too good to be true. He had been such a playboy before and now he expected her to believe that he only wanted one woman? That Sakura was the only one for him?

Stop it! You trusted him when you left and you have to trust him now!

Doing her best to quell her wary mind, Sakura approached the entrance to Konoha swiftly. It was dark outside, but the moon illuminated the familiar buildings and the few people walking around the streets. Walking through the archway, and catching her breath from her brisk pace, Sakura looked around for signs of Sasuke.

Seeing none and feeling a little disappointed, she set off in the direction of her apartment.

What do you expect? That he would know you're here already?

Finally she reached the familiar building that she called home and began the short trek up the stairs that would lead her to her apartment. After arriving at her door, and frowning at the hole above the handle that she had forgot about, Sakura suddenly felt a chakra presence approaching her in the hallway.

Turning toward the stairwell, she felt her heart immediately speed up at the sight of the black-haired man she had been yearning to see for two weeks.

"Sasuke-kun…"

And before she knew it, they were kissing and he was shoving her up against the door and she was grasping at his shoulders trying not to lose her balance from the force of his actions. Somehow she managed to unlock the door and get them inside before someone came out into the hallway and witnessed the shocking display of affection, but her mind was too muddled to remember how it all happened.

In the dimness of her apartment foyer, Sakura tried to catch her breath for a moment as Sasuke focused his attention on placing open-mouthed kisses along her jawline and neck. In between kisses, he mumbled breathily.

"I felt…your chakra…and I…I came over as I fast as I could."

Lifting his head, Sasuke stared at her with dark eyes. "I missed you."

Sakura felt giddiness well up inside of her stomach. He hadn't changed his mind; he still wanted to be with her.

"I missed you too Sasuke-kun."

"I want to be with you Sakura. And I don't mean just for tonight…"

They met together in a kiss and Sakura tried to channel every emotion she felt for him into the action. She felt her back pressed firmly against the wall and Sasuke was running his hands along her waist, up and under her shirt and finally along her breasts.

Soon her shirt lay in a pile on the floor and Sakura began tugging on his shirt, hoping it would soon share the same fate as her own. Sasuke let go of her to pull the clothing over his head and once it was disposed of, immediately pinned her to the wall again.

"Sakura…I want you so much."

She moaned in response and kissed his neck and throat hungrily. It was amazing how only he could illicit these raw, uncontrollable feelings in her. Slipping her arms around his neck, Sakura marveled at how strong and solid his muscular body felt against hers.

"Sasuke-kun…bedroom..."

She couldn't help the words from coming out of her mouth and in response she felt Sasuke lifting her up and hitching her thighs around his waist.

I can't believe this is really happening….

Together, they stumbled into Sakura's bedroom, only stopping when they reached the edge of the bed. Sasuke quickly pinned her down onto the mattress and continued kissing her in a way that made Sakura feel like her entire body was on fire.

"I need you Sasuke-kun…"

The rest of their clothing was swiftly stripped away until Sakura could feel his warm skin pressed deliciously against her own.

"Oh god…Sasuke…!"

And then suddenly he was filling her over and over again and it was like nothing she had ever experienced before. He was gripping her tightly in his arms and she was clutching onto him as tightly as she possibly could.

This feels brand new…

Though they had slept together many times before, this was the first time they were really making love. And as she cried out his name and stars clouded her eyes, she was able to say what she had always wanted to during their many nights together.

"I love you Sasuke-kun. I love you so much!"

After a few brief moments, Sasuke lie spent on top of her. Rolling over, so that he was on his side, he pulled her body against him.

"I love you Sakura."

The words still caught her off guard. "Are you really sure?"

Sasuke smirked. "You think I would cook for someone that I wasn't in love with?"

Sakura giggled, remembering how he had made her breakfast after her drunken escapade the night of Naruto's engagement party. "That is true I suppose…"

Sasuke closed his eyes and for a moment Sakura thought he was falling asleep. "We're together now."

"Oookay Sasuke-kun…"

He opened his eyes to glance at her. "That means no more dates with Rock Lee."

Sakura couldn't help but laugh at his comment. "You think I wanted to go out with him?! I mean seriously…green spandex?"

Sasuke smirked, apparently satisfied with her response and Sakura cuddled into his side.

"Goodnight Sasuke-kun."

"Hn."

"Don't you actually want to say 'goodnight'?"

"…."

"Sasuke…"

"…."

"Fine. Rock Lee it is!"

"Goodnight."

Sakura smiled. He did love her.

AN: Okay, so I must stress that this is NOT the last chapter. I am planning on one more after this actually. When that will be completed…ehhh I'm not sure, but hopefully soon. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was kind of exhausting for me because it's like everything kind of built up to this moment and I kept telling myself "OMG don't screw this up too bad or everyone will HATE you!" hahaa. But seriously, I hope it didn't disappoint too badly. I know it was very cheesy soo yea…but hey, you never know…angstiness could return! hehee

Coming Soon….Happily ever after???

I know I don't deserve reviews because I made all my wonderful readers wait soooo long for an update….BUT I would love if you review! You can even yell at me and tell me how lazy I am if you want!! Hahaha have a wonderful week :)