There is a certain chill in the air tonight, snow is starting to fall and stick to the ground making the village look like a winter wonderland. Right now I'm walking home from my 19-hour shift at the hospital, let's just say that I'm extremely tired. I pulled my jackets closer to my body and focused a small amount of chakra so I'd stay warmer. Christmas is in three weeks but because of the snow it seemed as if it were already here.

It's been eight years since Sasuke left the village and each year I lose more and more hope for him ever returning. Each day, I walk the main road of the village and on rare occasions I stop to sit at the bench where he left me that night. After all these years I can say that I'm no longer a fan girl but I truly do love him. My feet stopped as I approached the bench and took a seat on the cold, wet concrete. I relaxed into the seat and let my tired muscles take a rest for the first time today.

Ever since he left, all I've done is train and work hard to accomplish my title as a medical ninja. Lady Tsunade has taught me so much more than just medical ninjutsu. She's taken me under he wing in combat and showed me how to defend myself along with my teammates. Naruto is proud of the person I have become and honestly I am too. Speaking of Naruto, he'd be very upset with me right now. Every time I stop here, he knows that I sit and think about Sasuke. Not in a creepy, lovey way but I just wonder if he's safe and in good shape.

Letting out a deep breath, I picked up my tired body and began walking towards my house. My legs carried me faster so I wouldn't freeze or pass out from exhaustion. Once I reached my home, my numb hands quickly unlocked the door and I stepped into the utter darkness of my empty house. Kicking off my shoes, I went to flip the light switch but I was met by a red, blazing Sharingan. Sasuke's larger body pushed mine against the door with his arm straight against my chest, his face was slightly visible but you could see him infamous smirk.

"Well, well. It has been awhile hasn't it Sakura?" His eyes bored into mine as he stared me down. Sasuke's voice had gotten deeper and more velvety; my heart was beating faster than I ever thought possible. Regaining my composure, I stared back with just as much intenseness.

"Yeah, I so miss waking up on a stone bench. What are you doing here Sasuke? Finally decided to come home?"

"As you would suspect, I've killed my brother. So yes, I've decided to come back willingly and Naruto was excited about it. I figured you would be too." His smirk was showing his confidence and I really just wanted to melt into him. But I cannot, and I mean CAN NOT let him know that I've missed him.

"Why are you here Sasuke? Answer me now!"

"My dear Sakura, I was ordered by Tsunade to stay with you until my house in the Uchiha complex is completed. Which means that I will be staying with you for at least two weeks."

Sasuke reached over and turned on the lights as my jaw dropped to the floor. How could Tsunade do this to me?! She knows and understands how I still feel about him! No doubt trying her hand at match making.

He let me go and I jumped away from him to run down the hallway to the spare bedroom. No one has stayed in here for weeks, so I had to quickly dust and organize the decent sized room. As I cleaned, I had to ignore my inner that was in much worse shape that I am. After a 15-minute power cleaning, I returned to see Sasuke sitting on the couch looking through my photo books.

"Um, your room is ready. The second door on the left and the bathroom is across the hall. You have your own TV and computer so feel free to use them. Tomorrow I'll go grocery shopping and most likely take you to get some more clothes."

Sasuke nodded his head while closing the book and retreating to the room. My sore feet carried me to the master bedroom that was on the opposite side of the house. A few years ago I built my own house that would accommodate my friends for parties and get together's. In my room there's a walk-in closet, larger bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, double sinks, a full make up area and a walk in shower. The pride and joy of my house is ultimately my library and office combination.

The door to my bedroom slammed on accident and I started to peel off the layers of dirty work clothes. Trudging into my bathroom I jumped in my shower to rinse away the day.

Once I was finished, I brushed out my hip long hair and braided it to keep it all together. This day couldn't get anymore stressful than it already was, could it? After all, I have no idea why Tsunade told him to come to me. Maybe he wouldn't go anywhere else. Maybe he just wanted to mentally fuck with me yet again.

I finished my bathroom routine and left my bedroom in my oversized t-shirt and shorts. Walking into the dining room, ignoring the Uchiha watching television, I started to decorate the Christmas tree that was the main focus of the room. All of my friends, family and mentors will be coming over on Christmas for dinner and to exchange gifts.

This time of the year brings a certain joy to everyone in the village. Ino says something about Christmas magic, that love is in the air and everyone wants to be with the ones they love this time of year. Ino might have a point but there's no need to get my hopes up because the person I love will never return the same feeling. Shaking my head, I reached for the red glass ordainments and began to place them around the tree. Dancing around the tree, there was music playing while I spent almost an hour decorating.

Stepping back I stared at the image in front of me. A white background with a glowing bright tree reflecting off of the water crystals, the finishing touch was to place the star on top. Dragging a chair from the table, I stood on the cushion and reached completely straight out to reach the top. Before I could react my chair slipped and I waited to fall on the hard floor. Curling up into a ball preparing for the impact, but it never came. Someone was holding me up from behind and I wanted to melt into the embrace.

"You should really be more careful. If you needed help, I would've helped."

Sasuke made sure that I was standing on my own two feet before he released me. His large hand reached for the star that I had been holding and two seconds later, a large silver star was shining on the tree. I turned around to see his retreating figure and I heard a door slam closed.

Figures. Leave it to Sasuke freaking Uchiha to be so unemotional after something like that. Turning off the music, I retreated back to my room turning off the lights as I went. My phone was ringing on my nightstand and I ran so I could answer the call.

"Hello Lady Tsunade."

"Don't be so cheerful Sakura. I would've thought you'd like my surprise to you."

"I think a little heads up would've been better honestly. So…he's staying for good this time?"

There was a long pause on the phone and I couldn't help but worry. Normally Tsunade was quick to respond but the hesitation was clear even through the phone.

"I'm not entirely sure. Come by the Hokage Tower tomorrow so I can give you something. Understand?"

"I'll be there."

"Just try to be nice for the next few weeks. I know that this is an inconvenience for you but the council will only trust him with you. Naruto wanted him to stay with him but they weren't too excited about that one."

"I understand. I'm about to go to bed since you scheduled me for an eight hour shift that more than double some how. Oh wait I know why now."

"I taught you not to complain. Good night Sakura."

The call ended and I stayed in my position. These years apart from the person that I dedicated my life to have changed me completely, I no longer depend on someone else to notice me and protect me. I've been admitted into my own hospital so many time because I had to prove someone wrong and show them that just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't fight.

I'm not weak anymore. Sasuke will find that out for sure if he ever questions it again. The Sakura he knew is long gone, which is an amazing thing. Naruto has seen me cry so much over the man that is just down the hall from me and it's not fair to him. Ever since he hurt himself trying to bring him back I promised myself that never again would Naruto get hurt because of me.

Sasuke sure has grown though. His face was cleared of any childish features and just from being caught by him I can tell that his muscles are in excellent shape. His voice has definitely changed and the way it affected me is not acceptable. This man has been gone for eight years and now I'm acting as if he'd never left. My heart fluttered as I closed my eyes to breathe properly.

'Will you get ahold of yourself? I mean seriously why are you still giving him the time of day? Yeah he's amazingly handsome now but that doesn't mean we revert back into a little genin again.'

'Thank you for the input there, but I already know this. Being careful is an absolute must right now.'

'Because he can read people better than anyone we know. One sign of weakness and he will use it to his advantage. The Uchiha needs to understand that just because we love him doesn't mean we are going to be easy to get. If you know what I mean haha.'

'Um…never will I sleep with Sasuke Uchiha without knowing how he truly feels for me. I promised myself and others that I will never have my heart broken by him again.'

'Good because I'm sick of trying to put you back together from all those years ago.'

Rolling over into the covers, I smiled slightly and came to a conclusion. If Sasuke wants me, then he will have to work for it. If he doesn't then our friendship needs to be repaired because nothing sounds better than having Team 7 back together again.