Uchiha's Lover (SasuSaku)

Chapter 11 - I'm sorry for Everything

Hey Guys! So the following next chapters are flashbacks of when the war had just ended and like I had mentioned in the chapter before, Sasuke stayed back for a few months to recover and then leave for his redemption journey. During his recovery stay, he realizes that from the very beginning it had always been Sakura for him. So, that's what I'll be focusing on for the next few chapters. 

I hope you like it :) 

***

The fact that it took Sasuke just over three months to fall in love with Sakura, didn't surprise him at all. Sakura was simply beautiful, inside out. In three months, Sasuke fell in love for the first time in his seventeen years. Well, in all honestly it was less of a fall as it had always been Sakura in the depths of his mind and heart.

After a whole month of confinement in a dank prison cell, bound and warded, Sasuke's release was granted. Both, Kakashi and Naruto had given valid arguments to support Sasuke to the five Kage, the feudal lords and the other villages. Sasuke's interrogations with Ibiki Morino had also helped in his release. Although his brain still aches remembering those sessions.

Other than the three, the only other person to have access to Sasuke during his days in the prison cell was Sakura. She visited alternate days to check up on his arm and his other bruises but in those times, she never uttered a single word. He thought it was because she was only there to fulfill her duties as a healer and not to hold useless conversations like Naruto, but her silence felt more uncomfortable and gut wrenching than anything Sasuke had ever felt.

It soon came to his realization that she had been trying to avoid conversing him.

The day he was released, it had already been dark and a big part of him was glad that he could avoid curious eyes of the villagers. He was greeted at the door by Kakashi and Naruto. As soon as he was out, the dobe had looped his arm around his shoulders giving him a grin and laughing about how he was now a free man. Sasuke was too focused taking in the new rebuilt village, he hadn't noticed that one significant person was not there to greet him. Sasuke pretended not to have noticed but Kakashi's sharp eyes caught him.

"Sakura got called last minute at the hospital. Something about an emergency," Kakashi shrugged.

Sasuke nodded, not knowing what to say. He tried moving down the steps but his knees collapsed beneath him, if it weren't for Naruto, Sasuke might've crumbled to the ground. Hissing in pain he takes support from his friend and Kakashi comes to help as well.

"You still haven't fully recovered and sitting still in a body bind suit for a month probably cramped up your muscles. Come on we're going to the hospital." Kakashi left no room for argument but Sasuke refused, saying that he was fine. Naruto nagged him for acting cool even when he was in pain but Sasuke ignored them. Kakashi, knowing his student well, smirked under his mask.

"Sasuke, it's an order. You will stay in the hospital, I will arrange a private room for you there. Until you're fully healed, you'll be staying there." The current hokage ordered. Naruto grinned in satisfaction. Sasuke sighed and gave in.

"Don't worry teme, Sakura-chan will take good care of you. Dattebayo!" Sasuke's neck turned red, fully knowing that his best friend was teasing him. He thanked kami, it was dark and his two companions couldn't see the redness.

***

Even though Sasuke was now a free man, he could still sense the eyes of ANBU scrutinizing him from several vantage points. Kakashi merely shrugged and told him it was for his own safety and for the village. Sasuke rolled his eyes, knowing well that even if his sensei trusted him, it would take time to gain the trust of the other Kages and council members. It wasn't total freedom and knowing that he deserved worse, he was thankful for what little punishment he got.