CONNECTION

That morning when sakura got up and walked into the living room she saw that the blanket she lent Sasuke last night was not on the couch but rather in the cupboard in her room. She first thought that he already left . But then she hearc the running water from her bathroom. She went near it and paused on thinking to whether knock or not. Finally when she decided to knock the door opened and there stood a half naked Sasuke out from bath wearing a towel. Sakura was beet red.
"Uh..ahh... am sorry I thought you left...you can change I will go make up something to eat."

That was indeed a embarrassing moment for sakura but little did she knew that even her raven haired lover felt a tug in his heart.

After having a little breakfast they headed out to Naruto's place. On there way, they passed through the Yamanaka flower shop . The blonde bestie of sakura had a open mouth on the scene of Sakura and Sasuke together. She came out of nowhere and grabbed Sakura inn... which left only her now fiance Sai and Sasuke staring at each other.

"It's good that you are back."

"Hn"

"If you are together with Sakura you better make her smile for real this time"

The conversation was pretty cold. Sasuke couldn't really make out his last scentence .
On the other side Sakura was being hunted by the Ino through her questions.

"Why didn't you tell me Sasuke was back."

"He was just back yesterday night..it was all so sudden I didn't got a chance...it was way past 10 'o' clock last night when he came home"

"Wait he stayed with you last night"

"Yeah.. because he"

"I don't believe it Sakura....so did anything happen...did you two hold hands or may be even..."

'Stop... nothing happened ok...I don't wanna force him...and am not so sure of his feelings. We just slept in different rooms...that's it..."

Ino was a bit dissapointed yet she had not lost hope...They moved out of the shop and saw that both Sasuke and sai were just staring at each other...it was odd..

Sakura and Sasuke  further proceeded to the Uzumaki household.

When they knocked on the door, The Princess of Hyuga clan who is now the wife of upcoming Hokage opened the door and welcomed them warmly. They both greeted both Naruto and Hinata and in no time Naruto dragged Sasuke to ichiraku to treat his best friend and celebrate his return.
Sakura and Hinata had their usual comfy talks

"Sakura chan are you happy now"

"Huh...uh.. yeah I guess I am..."

"So Sasuke Kun is here for a month"

"Yeah...he will be leaving anyway..."

"You should spend your time together with him more then."

"Yeah....I will accompany him this time for sure..."

"Huh.. she gave a little chuckle"

"Huh what are you laughing at"

"Oh no am sorry...it's just last time you said girls should look out for each other.. Naruto kun told me that you gave him hope on that moon mission when I went away with Toneri. You perfectly depict your words now........You can always rely on us Sakura chan ."

"I know .....thank you Hinata"

Hinata indeed has the art of comforting anyone.

On their way back home Naruto and Sasuke indulged in a pretty interesting conversation too.

"So teme...you are finally together with Sakura chan huh"

"We are not together..."

"Huh ...but the first person you saw when you returned home was her...I thought u were already dating.....uhhh... dattebayo..."

"We are not...... loser"

"Well then you should'

"Huh"

"I mean she waited her whole life for you.. even now she is all time ready to be by ur side."

"My sins have forever put a toll on my life...death parades besides me"

Sasuke averted his gaze towards Naruto.

"Yeah....but I don't think she is weak........I mean you can never know whether she is suffering by being with you or without you...by staying away from her right "

'What do u mean dobe?"

"Sasuke..I think she suffers more when she isn't with you...
I have seen her crying all alone for you....you should let her decide where her happiness lies..."

"Even though she will say she is happy with me....I may not be the one for her"

"I don't know about that dobe...but I know that she isn't weak....she can stand beside you".

"She deserves so much more than waiting forever"

"Dobe.....Have you ever asked her if she wants what she deserves.."

This conversation put Sasuke in deep thoughts...on their way back home... Sasuke and sakura walked together

"Sakura I have thought of leaving the village in a week now"

Sakura was shocked ...but then she said...

"It's ok..."

Sasuke didn't expect this answer.

"If you are leaving in a week ....then you should rest well. I have some work at the hospital but a week is enough to manage everything..I will buy you some clothes too...."

Sasuke stood silent on listening to her......he was confused.. he thought she might have forgotten that distant memory .....

Sakura......

What.... am coming with you this time.....

That night those words spoken from Sakura's mouth....changed the winds and tides of both their lives. Sasuke was churned between his desire and intellect.The thought of Sakura coming with him ....made him scared as well as happy.He was scared that he might immerse in darkness again,if something happens to sakura. But now that he had unraveled a bit of his confused heart...he didn't want to stay away from Sakura either.For Sakura that very memory of the promise that Sasuke made was enough to wait for her whole life. But she wanted that memory to be the beginning of many new memories. She was confident to go with Sasuke this time. Yet she was scared that he might leave her again.