Disclaimer: *sighs* sadly i do not own Naruto

R&R

Chapter 4

Probation ends, Nightmares begin

(Sasuke's point of view)

It's been over two weeks sense I last saw Sakura at that restaurant. The cold, empty look in her eyes haunts me as I walk around my house. I try to distract myself, but I've read most of my books already, I even resorted to working in the garden a few times, having decided to fix it just like my mom had it. I go and train with the dobe almost every other day, unless he has a mission. Kakashi stops by and practices with us occasionally, Tsunade probably sent him to see what my skill level is and how I'm 'dealing'. Every once in a while Naruto will have someone else come and train with us like Lee, Choji, and Kiba, once even Neji and Shikamaru. I don't walk with Naruto to the restaurant anymore now. When I'm training time passes quickly, but when I'm alone it goes by slowly.

Hinata says that Sakura's been going home on time with out being reminded, unless she's doing a surgery, which is good. Ino keeps coming up with new excuses about why she can't go home, like the roof leaks and has holes, the floor creaks, ext. Still, Ino also says that Sakura's been having nightmares a lot lately, but she won't tell her what they're about. But Sakura wakes up screaming a lot, Ino still runs in to make sure everything's ok, you never know if it's actually because of a dream or if she's in danger. She normally has them around midnight or later and she doesn't sleep for very long after them. Naruto told me that she even pays for lunch on occasion and that she's eating, talking, and laughing more lately. She's starting to take care of herself again; maybe she won't need me anymore after all by the time my probations over.

I still wonder if Tsunade will put me back with squad seven or what. Sai's still on the team right now, and that Capitan Yamato goes with them on some missions instead of Kakashi, I guess Tsunade will just switch Sai and me out depending on the mission. I've been getting out more now too, and not just for training. The dobe drags me out for a 'guy's night' sometimes. It seems that everyone's getting use to me again they're not on guard as often around me, but they don't really trust me yet either.

Today is the last day of my probation, so Naruto decided to drag me out to eat ramen with him and Kakashi. According to Naruto's updates he says Sakura looks a lot better now, and from what Ino and Hinata said he's right. I still don't really know why I care so much or why it bothers me like it does; I just can't figure it out. I never would have guessed that ignoring my emotions would put me in a situation like this.

I was just staring at the bowl of ramen in front of me, its not my favorite food but the dobes been forcing me to eat it and today I'm not really in the mood. I'll get something else after we finish here. Kakashi finally show's up as Naruto moved on to his forth bowl. Kakashi took a seat next to Naruto as he gave us some lame excuse about why he was late, same old same old. Some people don't change apparently. Kakashi began talking to Naruto about their last mission and then he suddenly changes topic. "So, Sasuke. Have you talked to the Hokage any about what you're going to do now that your probations over?'' Kakashi asked lazily, but still keeping his eye on me. I don't even glance at him as I reply, ''No, I haven't talked to her." Kakashi sighs before he says, "Well she's going to call you to her office tomorrow to 'discuss' the matter and I was just going to give you a heads up, but sense you don't seem to care to much maybe I wont." This time I sigh then look at him like I'm bored and irritated which I am, and say, "Fine, what is it?" Naruto looks back and forth between us with a question mark on his face; he missed our conversation because he had his head in a bowl of ramen slurping the last of it out. And just like old times he pipes up and says, "Hey! Hey! What's going on?" Kakashi sighs and bows his head in exasperation, but other then that ignores Naruto. He answers my question in a voice that lets you know he's smiling, "Well, I went by the Hokages today and she told me what her decision is, and you may or may not be happy with it. Naruto on the other hand will be thrilled." when he doesn't say any more I start to get irritated. "So are you going to tell me?" I snap at him. Kakashi laughs but then proceeds to talk with me, and Naruto listening intensely.

(Sakura's point of view)

I finish filling out the paperwork for the new patients in the intensive care unit just as some one knocks on my door. I sigh and say, "Come in." just loud enough to be heard. It's no doubt Hinata coming to tell me to go home. But when the person quietly steps into the room I'm shocked to see that it's not her. It's Shizuna. She smiles politely but gets right to business. "My Lady sent me to tell you she's summing you to her office tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock am." As I yawn, I tell Shizuna that I'll be there. She tells me goodnight and then leaves without another word. I turn off all the lights and lock my office door, happy that I'm done for the night. The halls are quiet except for the sounds my shoes make on the floor with each step. That and the sound of my heart make a steady beat to listen to and it's rather relaxing. I tell the nurse at the front desk goodbye as I walk past her towards the front doors.

I take my time walking home. Using the care free alone time I wonder why Lady Tsunade wants to see me in the morning. Then half way home it hits me; today is Sasuke's last day of probation! She'll tell him her decision on how things are going to proceed tomorrow. Instantly I'm sick to my stomach with unpleasant feelings. I rush home now not wanting the extra time to think. I take a fast shower then quickly climb into bed. As I try to keep the thoughts of tomorrow out of my mind, sleep starts to over take me. However, questions like: What will he say when he sees me face to face? What will I say when I see him face to face? Will he care if I show up or not? Is it even possible that I might still love him? Flood my mind, but I shut them down instantly when I realized what that last question could lead to. Finally, sleep comes to me and I'm engulfed in blissful darkness. It doesn't last long though. Soon I have that same nightmare, again.

"I'm sorry." he says. "No, your not." I answer coldly. "I am sorry!" he says again in a weak voice as his eyes plead with me to listen to him. "No, I don't believe you." I say even though it tears at my heart for me to say it. He holds his hands out to me and simply says, "Please…"

I wake up with a scream as I roll off the bed and land hard on my butt. I look at my hands to find that they're shaking. Who was he? I know who he is in my dream, but when I wake up I can't remember him, it's as if my mind shuts him out when I wake up. Ino rushes into the room with a kunai in hand, "Sakura! What's wrong? What happened?" she demands as she looks around. I sigh and tell her, "Relax Ino, everything's fine, I just had a bad dream again and rolled off the bed, it startled me and I screamed." Ino shakes her head at me and tells me to keep the noise down as she leaves.

I stand up shakily and crawl back into bed. The rest of the night I have a dreamless sleep.

I wake up early and slowly drag myself to the bathroom. I splash some cold water in my face to help wake me up a little more. When I look at my reflection in the mirror and groan when I see the dark circles under my eyes. I wash my face quickly and then get dressed. I slowly make my way to the Hokages tower and arrive in her office 15 minutes early. As expected I'm the first to arrive, Naruto and Sasuke will most likely show up together and Kakashi probably already knows what's going to happen so I doubt that he'll even show. After about five minutes of waiting, I walk up to Lady Hokage's desk and ask if I really needed to be here. She sighs and replies, "Yes, Sakura. You do need to be here. My decision will affect all of team Kakashi. You know this." I mumble a, "Yes, my Lady." and go look out the window up at the bright blue sky. Today's weather is the exact opposite of my mood, I think bitterly to myself wishing that we'd get a sudden thunderstorm.

Its five past nine when we hear a sudden knock at the door. Lady Tsunade calls, "Enter." as she sets her pen down and folds her hands in front of her. At her command the door opens to reveal not just Naruto and Sasuke, but Sai, Captain Yamato, and even Kakashi sensei. Naruto instantly starts blaming them being late on Kakashi sensei, and knowing how the man is, no one argues. I was surprise to see that every one was here but then Lady Tsunade's earlier words click "my decision will affect all of team Kakashi." when she said that she had been including Sai and Caption Yamato. I hadn't even thought about it affecting them. Well, I guess for everyone's sake I should be calm and respectful to my Lady's decision, even if I might not like it. Lady Tsunade closes her eyes briefly and then clears her throat, catching everyone's attention in doing so. "Well, I think you all have at least some idea of why I called you here today. I've come to a decision concerning Sasuke's future as a shinobi. He will be reinstated as a member of team Kakashi and will start restricted duty tomorrow. His missions will not take him outside of the village for one month, then he may go back to full active duty if I deem him fit." Lady Tsunade pauses and then gives me a pointed look, "My decision is final. You are all dismissed." and with that she turns to look outside with a smug little smirk on her face. I simply just turn and walk out of the room with out saying a word to any one.

yay! i finally finished the chapter! sorry its kinda short. well today was my first day of school so i wanted to updated this before i got swamped with tons of homework. anyways i hoped you liked it ^-^

Please leave me a reveiw, i'd luv to hear anyones thoughts/ideas on this.