AN: If you have not done so recently, please go back and reread this story up to this point. I had forgotten what it was really about, and I wrote the crazy thing. I'll talk more at the end, so please enjoy.

Naruto knew many people believed that he was oblivious to most things, and he had to admit to himself that for most things - he was. But even he couldn't miss that something was going on between Sasuke and Sakura. Ever since they returned after Naruto left them in the field, something had been off about them. After several days of helping Suna clean up the battle field, they were on their way back to Konoha and it seemed that things between them were just getting stranger.

For one, Sakura kept randomly glaring at Sasuke for no apparent reason, and he could have sworn he had heard her hiss at him to stop several times. She seemed to blush a lot more, but not in the fan-girl way she used to.

Sasuke on the other hand, looked almost delighted. The Sasuke Uchiha looked like he was having fun. Fun! And somehow it was at Sakura's expense. But no matter how much Naruto started watching them, he couldn't figure out the big joke.

Even Sakura's overgrown cats seemed to be in on it, and had picked sides too. Feng was running beside Sasuke while Charna stayed with Sakura. And several times Charna pounced on Feng and swiped at him.

Naruto scratched his head as all of these thoughts flew through his mind. Maybe it was something in the water. With that thought Naruto put up his water canteen and silently promised himself not to drink anything till they were closer to Konoha and he was sure nothing was wrong with it.

He was brought out of his thoughts as he dodged a rock flying towards him. Looking at where it came from, he saw Sasuke deflect another one that Sakura had thrown at his head.

"Ne, Sakura-Chan, why all the violence against Sasuke?" Naruto asked as she seemed to get angrier with every miss. When her head whipped around to look at him, Naruto gulped at the angry fire in her eyes. He saw his life flash before his eyes as he let out a high pitched scream and started running away from the banshee chasing him.

XXX

Kakashi couldn't help but shake his head at the stupidity of Naruto. After wondering for the millionth time what he had done so wrong to deserve him as a student, he went back to pretending to read Icha-Icha. Not that he was tired of his precious books, but it was much more fun to watch Sasuke and Sakura dance around each other.

Ever since Sakura had returned to Konoha, the sexual tension between them had been off the charts. If only Jiraiya was here to see them, he would have enough material for two or more new books! It was so thick between them that he itched to bring his kunai out to see if he really could cut through the tension between them. But he wisely refrained. No need to bait the killer intent of Sakura or Sasuke. He valued his body the way it was thank you very much.

He was surprised that Sasuke hadn't thrown her up against a tree and ravished her yet though. Out of character for him, true, but with the strength of arousal that Kakashi could smell coming off him, he wouldn't be surprised if he cracked.

For once he wished he didn't have a heightened sense of smell from his link with his dog pack. He was drowning in the smell of arousal rolling off the two like a tidal wave. Although Sakura's scent was also laced with annoyance and anger at Sasuke too.

Something had definitely changed with them though. Sasuke could hardly take his eyes off her, and Sakura obviously felt it. The tick of her eyebrow that she used to have as a kid when greatly annoyed was back, and it seemed that Sasuke had a direct link to it now. Kakashi was almost giddy with the thought of the fireworks that would go off when these two finally collided. He knew it would be an entertaining show for everyone to watch them to fight it out until Sakura finally said yes. Or killed Sasuke.

He picked up his pace as the others fell in behind him so that they would reach Konoha in another hour or so.

XXX

Sakura was royally pissed off! Ever since the weird incident with the mind invasion, she and Sasuke had developed telepathy with each other. One would believe that sharing a link with such a quiet man would not be that worrisome, but they would be wrong! Oh so wrong.

Sasuke was using the link to try to slowly drive her insane, she was sure of it. And apparently the ice cube had a library's worth of pornographic material that would put Jiraiya to shame, because it was like a non-stop porn movie playing through her mind. She vaguely remembered someone telling her it was always the quiet ones that were the biggest perverts, and Sakura couldn't help but agree.

If she passed a high rock, Sasuke would show her laid out on it as he ravished her. And Kami help her with all the trees around. He apparently had a fetish for them. Now even she couldn't pass one without an image of them having sex against it. She was terrified to go near a hot spring and see what he could come up with.

'You know you would enjoy every minute of it.' a deep voice floated through her mind, sending a slight shiver down her spine that she made sure to hide from him. Damn the man anyways. She refused to even dignify him with a response to his teasing.

The only comfort she got out of this was that she knew he was torturing himself as well. She could feel his lust building with every fantasy he threw at her. She smirked as she imagined that pain he must be feeling jumping through the trees. Most guys said it was painful just to walk, much less run like they were doing. She bit her lower lip to stifle her giggle.

'You won't be laughing when we get home. I promise you that we will finish this today.' he threw at her.

'Not on your life Uchiha. I'm doing my report, taking a nice hot long shower, and going to bed. Nothing about you in the program.'

She glared at him, then huffed and turned back around. She felt relief wash through her as she saw the gates appear in the distance, and the team unanimously sped up at the sight of home. Sakura was ecstatic on the promise of being able to sleep in her bed for more than one night. The heat had been stifling at Suna, and sweat just made sleeping uncomfortable. That and she could get some space in between her and the bane of her existence at the moment.

Passing the guards with a nod of acknowledgment, they all headed towards the Hokage tower. Walking their way up the stairs, Sakura knocked on the door. After hearing Tsunade give her permission for entering, they walked in and lined up in front of her desk.

"Report" Tsunade said as she looked up at them from her paperwork.

XXX

After finishing their lengthy reports, the team separated and each made their way home. The sun had gone down hours ago before they were allowed to be released, and Sakura didn't see hardly a soul as she traveled to her apartment. Sakura could hear the song her hot shower was singing though, and couldn't wait to answer its call. However, her rotten luck had decided to remain vigil, and to her horror she found that her hot water tank had decided to commit suicide since she left. Apparently years of no use and then being overworked on her first day back was just too much for it. After a few precious seconds (or minutes) of glaring in disbelief at the cold water coming out of her shower head, Sakura finally admitted to herself that she had a problem.

Fatigue was weighing her down after the mission caught up to her, yet she knew she would be unable to get any real sleep without a shower. And she really didn't want a cold shower right now. All the knots in her neck and back from the tension she had felt from the mission and Sasuke needed some relief. Which left her with one option – the hot springs. While normally she avoided those areas like the plague due to the gossiping biddies, tonight she was desperate. She needed to get clean - now! And a good soak would do her sore muscles some good and help her wind down. So with minimal grumbling, she gathered a fresh pair of clothes to change into later, put out some fresh food for Charna and Feng, and headed towards the nearest one she could remember that was hopefully still open 24 hours. It catered more to the ninjas of the village than the civilians.

Sakura decided to take her time and walk there, to enjoy the serenity of the night. She was tired anyways so it made no sense to waste energy to get there quicker. The stars had come out by now, and she could't help but admire them. She always had a fascination with stars, as a kid she wished on them to make Sasuke fall in love with her, but as an adult she saw the beauty and magic they hold of their own. Star-gazing helped to clear her head. And that was something she desperately needed right now.

She hadn't been that close to dying in a long time, and it had shaken her more than she let her teammates know. Not even Sasuke with his new access to her inner thoughts was aware of her turmoil. She wasn't ashamed to admit that she was afraid of dying. She felt like she had so much to live for.

Her life up to this point had been chasing a dream of being stronger. Of being able to protect others. However, the brush with death made her wonder the point of it if she had nothing to really live for. What memories would people hold of her? A few years of help at the hospital? Her notorious past as a fan girl for Sasuke? Tsunade's apprentice? What had she done with her life to make it worthwhile. She didn't care about fame, it was more of a burden than most people knew. She had finally reached another catalyst in her life that she had to make a decision that would forever shape her future. She had finally reached the strength she wanted, both physical and mental. She was no longer dependent on people's opinion of her, and was a real threat to even the strongest in the world now.

It seemed that after three years away, she had come back home only to reach another crossroad in her life. But it was a good feeling, because Sakura was confident that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to now. And the thing she wanted the most now was to find her place back here again. As much as she wanted to deny it, there was an attraction she felt for Sasuke. She wasn't dead for heavens sake. The man was gorgeous. But after her trip down memory lane in his mind, she understood a lot more of what he went through that drove him to leave his village, and the trials he went through when he was away.

This didn't mean she forgave him, but it did go a long way in giving her a road she could go down into one day forgiving him. She would even admit to herself that she may fine some satisfaction in seeing him trying to grovel a little bit to win her approval. It would help sooth the memory of her lost pride as a child. Not that he was responsible for her actions when she was that age, but he also didn't have to be as big a prick as he was to her.

But if she learned anything while training with both Tsunade and Akasde, is that dwelling in the past mistakes and pain from yourself and others only drags you down. Tsunade lost a lot of years of her life trying to drown the pain away in alcohol and gambling houses. Sakura didn't want to lose a potential friend by holding his past mistakes against him. She was a bigger person than that now. Although she would admit that she wasn't a big enough person to be friends with Karin. It had nothing to do with Sasuke and everything to do with her bad attitude and trying to attack her at the ramen stand. And she was just trashy.

Sakura couldn't keep the smirk off her face at the thought of how bad of shape Karin would be in after a few days of the jutsu on her. It would wear off in another week. But it would be hysterical to watch her until then.

Sakura was brought out of her thoughts by the sight of the hot springs appearing in front of her. She was relieved that it was still there, and open. She would hate to have to go through town tonight to try and find another one. Making her way inside, she quickly paid the woman at the desk, and made her way to the lockers. Shedding her clothes, she washed off the grime first in one of the nearby shower stalls, before wrapping up in a white towel and headed to the hot springs out back.

When she walked out, Sakura was relieved to see that she was alone. She really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone at the moment. Especially if it wasn't anyone she knew. Taking off her towel, Sakura slowly slid her tired body into the water, a sigh escaping her as she immediately started feeling the relaxing effect it had on her. Kami-sama did she ever need this.

After letting her mind just drift in a haze while she soaked, Sakura heard somebody changing clothes in the locker room nearby. Trying to appear asleep, Sakura put a wash clothe over her eyes and laid her head back on a nearby stone, moving to get comfortable. She vaguely heard the person get into the water a few minutes later, but didn't feel any threat from them, and they didn't say anything so Sakura felt safe to ignore them. Which turned out to be a mistake on her part, because a few seconds later she felt them get close and grab her before she could react.

When the rag fell off of her face, she turned around to see – of course – Sasuke had been the one to grab ahold of her. Well damn. Just damn it all. There went her relaxation.

"Sasuke, what the hell are you doing here?" Sakura hissed at him, not wanting to draw any undue attention from the lady at the front desk. No need to make this anymore awkward then it already was.

"I came here to relax Sakura, what are you doing here?" he answered her, a smirk on his face as she glared at him. She started trying to struggle to get out of his grip, but he just pulled her tighter against himself. She froze when she felt his erection up against her back, for a moment letting her shyness get to her.

"Sasuke let me go!" she snapped as she began her struggles again, trying to lean her body forward to avoid his.

"But Sakura, you feel so good rubbing your body up against mine, why would I want to let you go?" Sasuke answered before he started slowly kissing her neck, and one of his arms slowly started to slide its way up towards dangerous territory.

"Dammit Sasuke, stop being an ass! I'm trying to relax here, and you are ruining it." Sakura could feel the pout on her face, but couldn't help it. Couldn't she get a moments peace?

XXX

Sasuke could feel himself respond even more to her sexy pout as she chastised him, but he could also see the fatigue in her eyes. Not wanting to really push her he decided to compromise.

"Alright, we can both just lay here and relax then. I promise I won't do anything Sakura. I'm as tired as you are." Sasuke said, trying to calm her down some. Honestly he just wanted to enjoy feeling her against him. She wasn't the only one tired.

When she began to try and pull away from him again, he tightened his grip and pulled them both back towards a rock by the edge of the spa.

"Sasuke..."

"Hush Sakura. I promise I won't try anything tonight. Just let me hold you so we can both relax." Sasuke cut her off while he moved to sit on the rock, then pulled her up onto his lap. The water was now at about mid-chest for him, and went up to her shoulders. He closed his eyes for just a moment to enjoy the way her body felt against his. Her skin was silky smooth, without any flaws due to her skill as a medic. Her body just seemed to mold into his, the missing piece to a puzzle.

"You are so annoying, you know that right? And how can I relax when we are both naked?" Sakura continued to argue with him.

"Are you saying that I get to you Sakura?" he asked, feeling smug when she turned her head to glare at him, a small blush on her cheeks now.

"Ugh, just shut up. I'm too tired to get into it with you right now Sasuke. Your driving me crazy!" Sakura huffed, as she finally gave in and leaned back against his chest. Sasuke wrapped his arms tighter around her to keep her in place, then true to his word just laid back and relaxed. It would be good if he started gaining her trust again. And it wouldn't hurt to get her used to being around him without clothes on. He was still a guy with a gorgeous woman in his lap. One that he had many plans for in the future.

After a few minutes of awkward silence and tension, Sakura finally started to slowly relax. They both just laid there and enjoyed the heat from the water that helped relieve any soreness they had. After some time had passed, Sakura's breathing had evened out, and she felt completely boneless in his arms.

Sasuke chanced looking down at her and watch her while she was asleep. Her face was relaxed, the moisture from the spa clinging to her hair to make it glisten. She really had turned into a beautiful woman from the little girl he remembered her as. Sakura was definitely more than he could have ever dreamed of. And he couldn't help but admire the drive and motivation that got her to where she was today.

He reflected back on the joining they had in the forest by Suna. He had never felt as guilty about the day he left Konoha as he did feeling it from her point of view. She wasn't lying when she told him his leaving would hurt her. It had definitely shaped her life, especially at the beginning. He saw the tears she cried. Felt her abandonment when Kakashi and Naruto left her to go train and do missions. The struggle she went through to get Tsunade as a sensei, and the trials and tribulations she went through during that training.

Sasuke called himself all kinds of a fool when he reflected on the few times he had tried to kill her. Those days were honestly a blur for him for the most part. His hatred and anger had blinded him from anything and everything around him that wasn't something that could make him stronger. At that time he was too caught up in the dark part of his soul to realize that his blindness towards others was his weakness.

As genin, while Sakura was not much help physically during a fight, she often helped them with her knowledge about different countries and their fighting styles, as well as was the most informed on how to actually survive in the wild. She had a lot of potential inside her, but everyone wrote her off because she was weak. Sasuke couldn't help but be proud of her in that she proved everyone wrong. She was now one of the strongest people in the world – male or female. Her growth was honestly the most impressive thing that anyone in team 7 had accomplished. More than his revenge, more than Naruto's power and control over the Kyuubi, more than any of it. She truly was a remarkable woman now.

Because of that, Sasuke knew that for as much as he enjoys teasing her, she deserves the best he can give her. Emotionally that was difficult for him, but after seeing her past through her eyes, he knew for a fact that she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Not to just restore his clan, but to really build a life together with her. She now understands his past better than anyone else ever could, and in her own way she has really always understood him, whether he was right or wrong. And Sasuke knew that in order to win her over, he would have to prove to her that she was important to him. She would never consent to settle down with strong emotions behind it now.

It was no longer a childhood fantasy of hers, but the adult relationship that he hoped she would work with him on building. It would take some time, and probably a lot of uncomfortable moments on his part where he would need to learn how to let her in some. Because even he could clearly see that he wouldn't be able to keep his ingrained guard up around his emotions and let her in at the same time. She wanted, and deserved, to feel loved, and that was something he couldn't deny her after all she had been through. And honestly, he was so tired of being angry and shut off from the world. If anyone could help him reconnect, it would be Sakura. It had really always been Sakura, and Naruto occasionally. But he knew that if anyone was capable of making him love them, it would be Sakura. She could be his one true shot of the happiness that had been missing since the night his brother massacred his family. With Itachi finally gone, a new chapter to his life could finally open.

A movement from Sakura dragged Sasuke from his thoughts, and when he looked down he noticed she was deeply asleep now, her eyes flickering behind her eyelids showing she was in REM sleep. Gingerly picking her up bridal style, he made his way to their discarded towels, and draped them over Sakura to help cover her up in case anyone walked in. Laying her down on a nearby bench, Sasuke quickly changed into his clothes, and grabbed hers as well from a nearby locker. Placing her clothes on top of her as well, Sasuke teleported them back to his bedroom at his house nearby.

Knowing she would probably be pissed tomorrow morning about this, Sasuke still couldn't resist the chance to fall asleep with her tonight. He gently laid her down on the side of his huge bed, and couldn't stop the possessive and primitive feelings that went through him at seeing her on his bed. Fantasies of what the two of them could do with all the room of his bed flashed through his brain, and Sasuke had to take a deep and slow breath to try and control himself.

He quickly stripped his clothes back off, and crawled into the bed beside Sakura. She curled up to him, her head laying on his shoulder and her arm wrapped around his chest. Sasuke gently moved her hair out of her face, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Content with having her next to him, Sasuke slowly started to drift off to sleep as well. His last thoughts before sleep took him under was that he couldn't wait to see her face when she woke up in the morning.

AN: Good lord that was hard to write. Hope that it met with all of your approval. Sorry I was late on updating again. I really am super bad with that on this website. Anyways, to kind of explain about this chapter, I went in a little bit of a different direction than I had originally planned for Sasuke and Sakura and their budding relationship. I wanted to kind of go into more depth about how they feel about each other, because obviously it will be different after so long a separation and with all the things that happened to them in between. They will need to get to know each other more before they can honestly feel any true emotions. The connection they received in the last chapter was a way to kind of speed that up, as well as give them true insight into the other person that they might not otherwise divulge. So a little bit of soul searching in this chapter begins.

Also, I have not written anything for the next chapter, and my life is hectic right now with trying to get our house ready to sell, as well as look for a new job. So with time and motivation willing to come together and work with me, I should have another chapter coming out in a little bit. Won't be near as long a wait as this chapter was, I can at least promise that. But not really much else.

So again, please review with any comments you have, both good and bad about the story. This is my first and I always look for ways to improve. I am also going back through some of the old chapters and fixing some mistakes there as well. So hopefully it will read a little bit better. Lots of love til next time!