CONNECTION

Sakura came in wearing a loose green top that went down to her thighs and white pants. It was better to were loose outfit so that the wound on her back could heal faster.

"Sasuke kun....the bed is big enough so you can sleep on one end and I would sleep on the other or if you are uncomfortable then we can......"

"It's fine with me......."

Sakura didn't expect this sudden answere. They both crumbled on the opposite ends of the end. But slumber was far away from visiting them. Sharing a bed with Sasuke was one thing and the scene that happened a few minutes ago in the bathroom was a different level of embarassment. Sasuke's touch was far more softer than she ever imagined. The last time she found his touch so soft was probably when he poked his forehead the last time he went to travel after war. Sasuke showed concer towards her after years literally. The old him would actually hide this worrying side of himself but she guessed she was lucky enough to be witnessing these moments of change . But these thoughts slowly carried her to slumber. Just as they were almost asleep there was knock on the door. Both of them got up and looked at each other. Sasuke went to the door and just as he opened it a dagger came rushing towards him. Luckily he dodged it well. The attack fell into the room . It was Akudo. He survived. Sasuke grabbed his Katana and placed it on his neck. He tried to do a counter attack but Sakura had already used her kunai to tie him up. A single throw was enough for a elite ninja like her to wrap an indiot like him. Sasuke looked at him with his sharingan and rinnegan shining brightly with rage.

"Looks like life isn't interested in leaving  you so soon."

"Uchiha...I will kill you..... Your love killed my brother you deserve to die......ha...ha....hahaha... when you die she...she will..cry for you...her pain...her pain will give me hapiness...you must die."

Sakura threw a kunai from behind that struck Akudo  Directly on his head. Blood started pooling up around his face. There was an expression of disgust and anger in Sakura's eyes. Sasuke has seen rage in her eyes before but this time this rage was the rage if hatred. And there was no way he could have mistook this gaze after being a prey to the same gaze for years. The way she killed Akudo was beyond his imagination. For he had rarely witnessed this side of Sakura. Sakura walked over to Akudo and gazed directly into his eyes.

"My love dosent make me weak"

Those words made Sasuke's heart beat faster. And a feelings that his greatest fear had just been shook off from his heart with those words.

"Sakura...."

"Sorry Sasuke kun...I just couldn't stop myself..."

"I will call Shikamaru and the others to take over him"

The next morning Sasuke and Sakura had changed their rooms and Akudo's body has been taken for investigation by Shikamaru and Choji. Sakura hadn't spoke a word since the events of the previous night.
Sasuke came to her with a cup of coffee. Sasuke intrupted her silent staring on the fresh morning sky.

"Still feeling bad for murdering someone."

"No... He isn't the first one I killed"

"I thought your hands were meant to heal"

"When will you stop looking down on me"

"Then is that what's upsetting you "

"He tried to kill you just because I love you. "

There was a silence. Sasuke was just staring at her thinking that she is worried about such a thing. It was as if she doesn't know what his true power is.

"Sasuke kun....is this how you feel around me."

"Huh...."

"Do you feel responsible for everything that happens or will happen to me."

"What do you mean."

"Do you think that my life will always be in danger just because you are with me"

It was as if Sakura read Sasuke's heart. Sasuke was stunned. It was like he was caught red handed by Sakura. Sakura's voice again intrupted his thoughts.

"Yesterday when you helped me bandage my wounds it was just because you felt responsible for me was it?"

"What if I say it was?"

Sakura went silent. She got up and went to change her clothes. She came out in five minutes and without meeting Sasuke's eyes she started packing her bag with medical equipments.

"Am going to the hospital. I will be back before noon"

And with those words she left Sasuke in that weird silence.
Sasuke was wandering whether what he said was right or wrong. He pondered over the questions what he  did just now? Sakura on the other hand walked over to the hospital. For her the thought of Sasuke being with her was enough. But if it was just for the sense of responsibility then Sasuke shouldn't have kissed her . It was like the kiss made her to want more. She knew at some point that a love life with Sasuke was more difficult than killing many people like Kido and Akudo. She even made her mind to be happy with just walking by his side. But now she felt as though Sasuke dosent see her worthy of accompanying him. Was she weak. This question haunted her now. For the next few days they went in with that awkward atmosphere of ignorance. Sakura would return late at the evening and found the room empty and by the time Sasuke returned she would have already slept.
Finally there days in Kumogakure were over. They decided to return to the track. That morning the informed the Raikage and thanked him for his hospitality. And soon they were near the gates of Kumogakure.
Sasuke lead the way. Sakura was curious to know where they are heading now,but she was still not in a position to talk with Sasuke. After walking for the whole day. Sasuke stopped infront of a shrine.
Sakura wondered why they were there.

"We are spending the night here."

Well Sakura unpacked her things and the food she brought from Kumogakure.
She handed over some Onigiri to Sasuke and helped herself with her dango as she knew very well that Sasuke dosent prefer sweet things. The shrine was pretty warm. Sakura went inside and found a cosy place for her to sleep. A whole day of walking had made her enough tired to make her sleep as soon as she close her eyes. Sasuke came and sat near her gazing on her face. He thought that that may be he finally know what he did back then. And it was true that he was responsible for her. And that meant he was responsible for her hapiness too. He somehow felt that the rage and hatred she felt that day was because of him. She had confessed her love twice to her. And every time it made his insides give out a different feeling. He was unsure of it before. But that day on the final valley he realised that he had longed loved Sakura in this romantic way. And their bond was something he could never cut off truly. And now this was the time to do his best to show it to her.