"Because you exist..." SASUSAKU fanfic

After 2 years

Sakura, Shikamaru, and Sai walked wearily down the path back to what they called home. "Man what a drag is this," Shikamaru said, "We save the world and now we have to walk all the way back to the leaf!" Shikamaru sighed annoyed. "Well it'll all be worth it when we come back, I'm thinking they'll cut some slack on us after this mission." Sai said, smiling. "Yea, I bet Naruto and Hinata are already back, since they left us." Sakura said, crossing her arms. "Yes that's true Sakura, but it's because Naruto is in love." "What's that got to do with anything, Sai?" Sakura asked, raising her eyebrows. "Oh nothing, it's just..you're really the only one here without a love interest. I have Ino, Shikamaru has Temari, Naruto has Hinata. But well you? You have no one!" Sai said, chuckling. "WHAT'D YOU JUST SAY SAI?! I MAY NOT HAVE ANYONE RIGHT NOW BUT I KNOW I HAVE TWO FIST THAT'LL PUMMEL YOU TO THE GROUND!" Sakura hollered. "No no that isn't necessary! I was just joking, plus i'm holding Hanabi! It isn't good to endanger her to your monstro—..." "What'd you just say?" Sakura grinned. "Oh dear." Sai said, taking a big gulp. "Aw man, this is gonna be such a drag." Shikamaru sighed, crossing his arms.
________________________________

At last, the team of 3, that were originally 5, arrived at Konohagakure. "Wow, look at all the shinobi," Sai said in amazement, "what happened while we were gone?" Shikamaru shrugged.  "Well, that doesn't matter, it looks as if they're clearing up. Which means whatever the situation was, is no longer." Shikamaru said. Sakura nodded "Yea, lets just go report to Kakashi sensei."

They made their way to the Hokages office, where Lord sixth sat, and Naruto and Hinata stood holding hands. "Naruto," Sakura grinned, walking over to the blondie whom was obviously scared now, "Sakura i'm sorry we left I—" Sakura grabbed Naruto, putting the startled man into a headlock "So you finally figured it out huh? Good it was about time!" Sakura said, smiling. "Wait, huh?" Naruto asked, dumbfounded. "You and Hinata idiot! I'm happy for you!" Sakura said, tightening her grip on Narutos neck. "Well if that's the case, then I really would like to breathe!" Naruto said, struggling to breathe. "Oh!" Sakura apologized, letting him go. Naruto lay on the floor dazed, "Uhm, is Naruto-kun ok?" Hinata asked. "Eh don't worry he'll be alright!" Sakura waved nervously. "Well, now that we're all here, we should begin this report. Tell me everything that happened." Lord sixth requested, and so they did.
________________________________

"Yea yea so that's it Kakashi sensei!" Naruto added. "Hmm, seems this mission was really difficult." Lord sixth concluded. "Ya think?!" Naruto said sarcastically. Kakashi smiled "Ah, sorry I didn't send reinforcements! But it looks like you didn't need em." "Yea, I guess." Naruto crossed his arms. "Anyways, it's good you all stopped Toneri then, if not you would've all been blown up with the moon, or the hidden leaf would've been crushed. Oh, which reminds me..." Lord sixth thought, "Whaat?" Naruto asked. "The hidden leaf almost was crushed, but a certain shinobi came back, and saved us..." Lord sixth said, looking directly at Sakura, then Naruto. "No way, you mean—" "Sasuke-kun?" Sakura finished. Kakashi nodded, "Yep! In fact, he should be coming around any time now, to give me his report on his journey." Lord sixth announced, looking directly at Sakura. "What?! Well, I mean that's nice I guess!" Sakura snapped, crossing her arms. "Ha! Did ya hear that Sakura? 'Sasuke-kun' is—" Sakura punched Naruto through the wall, her face red. "Don't mock me Naruto!" Sakura yelled, looking around frantically. "Naruto-kun!" Hinata ran after him. "Aw man this is gonna be a drag, so do me and Sai need to stay Kakashi sensei?" Shikamaru asked. "Actually, you two can go. Good work!" Lord sixth said dismissing the two. "Well then, i'll be going too." Sakura said heading out the door. "I didn't say you could go Sakura, as a member of team 7 you must stay to welcome your former member back, it's only healthy." Lord sixth protested. Sakura sighed, walking up to Naruto she grabbed him by the collar, "Don't worry Hinata, I'll take care of him." She said dragging Naruto back through the giant hole in the wall. Hinata nodded, leaving. Sakura sighed, bending down to heal Naruto, "So, why do we really have to welcome Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked. "Well I thought you out of all people would be the most happiest to see Sasuke, don't you remember what he last said to you?" Lord sixth asked. Sakura thought back, touching her forehead, "Uh, I mean it's nothing really." She said looking away, her cheeks heating. "Strong...so strong...ya know.." a dazed Naruto mumbled. Lord sixth smiled "Well I don't know but, I thought there was something between you two—" "Don't say that! It's not. If it were, he wouldn't have left me..." Sakura frowned. Lord sixth sighed, "You'll understand one day Sakura, but..." Sakura looked up. "Do you still love him?" Lord sixth asked. "..Yes, but it doesn't matter anymore. All that he's gonna do is come back for a short time, then leave me again, so why even bother?" Sakura asked, letting out a sigh. Just then footsteps echoed through the hall, and into the very room where she stood. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was, she already knew.

"Well welcome back, Sasuke Uchiha." Kakashi said. "Lord sixth..." Sasuke greeted. "No no please, drop the 'Lord' part. Sensei is fine." Kakashi said, smiling. Sasuke nodded, looking towards Sakura, and then Naruto who lay on the ground dazed. "..Sakura?" Sasuke asked. "Oh um," Sakura stood up, "Hi Sasuke-kun..." Sakura said, forcing a smile. Sasuke stared at her wistfully, vice versa. Awkwaaarrrddd. I really have to do something about this quietness. Kakashi thought. "Ahem.." he started, gathering both their attention. "Oh yea, my report," Sasuke started, walking over to Kakashi, "Well I wrote it all on paper, but since i'm here right now I should just tell you in person, which would clarify some of the things I missed to write." Sasuke said. Sakura thought back to what Sai said, was she really the only person of her generation to have no one? Even Tenten had someone now, which meant she really was by herself. Sasuke was here now, but he's sure to leave soon. But the only person I've ever thought of when it comes to love, is Sasuke...but how can I love someone who doesn't see me that way, and is always gone? Sakura frowned at the thought.

"Ok, good job Sasuke. Your intel will be much needed for future purposes, but we have to do something soon about that mysterious foe of yours." Kakashi commended. "Yes, I intend to take care of him myself later than sooner." Sasuke said. "Later than sooner? What does that mean?" Kakashi questioned. "Well, I made the decision that i'll be staying back home for a couple of days." Sasuke said. Both Sakura and Kakashi gasped in the surprise. "What? Really?" Sakura asked. "Not to run you off or anything but, why?" Kakashi asked. "Well for one, I miss the village. For two, one of my biggest sins take place here." Sasuke said. "What is your sin?" Sakura asked, still surprised. "You'll find out, sooner or later. Anyways, I plan on staying to decide my solution for that sin, somethings been bugging me lately." Sasuke said. "Well, your home is still where it's supposed to be. So you go ahead and get your rest, I won't bother you with any missions, you do enough already." Kakashi said and smiled. Sasuke nodded. Heading towards the exit, he stopped. "Sakura, are you coming along?" He asked. "Huh?" Sakura raised her eyebrows. "I asked, are you coming with me. You can't just stay here, don't you plan on going home after this?" Sasuke asked. "Uh, y-yea." "So then come along with me." Sasuke said. "I would, but Naruto is still hurt and—" "Oh don't worry about Naruto I'll take care of him." Kakashi ensured. Sakura nodded, "Uh, okay..."
________________________________

Upon leaving the building, Sakura yawned, "Man am I ready for a soak in the hot springs and sleep!" Sakura said. "I thought you were going home?" Sasuke asked confused. "Oh no I am, so a bath will just have to do I guess." Sakura shrugged. Sasuke nodded. "So uhm..Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked. "Yes?" He responded, playing with his fingers. "Are you really uh..walking me home?" Sakura asked, her face turning a faint pink. "Uh..it's not anything like that." Sasuke said, looking away. "Oh," Sakura looked down, "I see." She nodded. So, Sasuke-kun doesn't think of me like that, even now. Sakura thought, frowning. Sasuke looked at her. Huh? Why's she sad all of a sudden? Maybe I was too harsh towards her? No, I only did what would make since to anyone. The rest of the walk to Sakuras House was quiet. "So, this is my house." Sakura said, coming to a halt. Sasuke nodded. "Well," Sakura thought, "it was nice seeing you again." Sasuke nodded again. He just ignores everything I say and nods, does he even care? Why did he even want to walk me home in the first place? Sakura thought, frowning again. Upon opening her door, Sasuke called to her, "Oh yea, and by the way..." Sasuke started. Sakura looked at him in question. "Goodnight, Sa-ku-ra." Sasuke said, a small smile spreading across his face. Sakura giggled to herself, "Goodnight, Sasuke-kun." She said, entering her house. When sure Sasuke was gone, Sakura ran into her bedroom and jumped on the bed. "OH YEAAA! SASUKE-KUN WALKED ME HOME—YOU GO SAKU!!" She yelled to her hearts content.

After a long well deserved bath, Sakura laid in her bed. The day had been long, but in the end it was all worth it. After all, the love of her life came back, but there was something Sakura couldn't shake off. The reason why he's staying, is to atone for the sin he has here, but what sin could that be? He's already helped the village enough. So what else would he need to be here for? Sakura thought aloud. I guess i'll just have to find out tomorrow huh? Her thoughts faded, and she fell asleep.