"Rise and shine Uchiha." Sasuke's ear twitched hearing the officer talk to him. He slowly turned over and rolled himself out of bed as the shinobi unlocked his cell. They carefully walked inside and handed the young raven his breakfast. He took the tray in his hand. He sat on the bed as the officer left and he began eating his food. Rice eggs and a few sausages decorated his tray of food. After praying, he began eating.

He finished and stood to walk to the cell gate, dropping the tray on the floor and sliding it in the hall as he always did now. He turned and headed back to the bed. He sat. He exhaled slowly, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He was bored.

He didn't want to train or anything, he figured he would get tired enough to the point he'd just nap all day. And if Naruto came by he would surely wake the raven up from his slumber and he wasn't here for that either. Instead he decided to sit there and meditate. It calmed him. Helped him control his Chakra.

"Hey dude!" Within an hour, Naruto's voice hit Sasuke's ears like a canon. His eyes fluttered open and there he was standing on the other side of the cell. "How's it goin?"

"I'm fine Naruto." He says slowly.

"Your birthday is coming up!" Naruto smiled widely as he looked over at the raven.

Sasuke sighed and nodded slowly. He wasn't sure what day it was anymore since he couldn't keep up with the dates, but he never even thought that his own birthday was coming up. That means he missed hers.

"Wh-What did Sakura do for hers?" He asked looking away from the blonde who smiled.

"Ah, Ino threw her a party at the BBQ place." He says throwing his hands behind his head. "Everyone was there. She was so happy. It was really fun."

Sasuke looked away as he listened to Naruto ramble on about Sakura. He's been forcing the blonde to do that lately. He'd rather hear about the changes in Sakura than of Naruto any day.

"I was thinking maybe I can have Kakashi leave the office to help celebrate your birthday with us."

"I can't celebrate something from behind these bars, Naruto." Sasuke then smiled warmly at his friend. "But that you for the gesture."

"Nonsense." Naruto waves his friend off. "This is happening. And it's going to happen."

Sasuke bit his lip and shook his head. He knew the blonde's mind was made up and there was no turning back from that. Naruto already had this planned out. It wasn't for Sasuke to agree nor disagree to the proposal. He was simply notifying his friend about the things he had planned for his birthday.

"Okay Naruto." Sasuke sighs. "Whatever you say."

Naruto wraps his hands about the bars of the jail cell and looked at Sasuke.

"Hey." He says gaining the raven's attention. Sasuke slowly looked over at Naruto and blinked, letting the blonde know that he now had his attention. "Do you wanna see her?"

Naruto spoke lowly, almost like a whisper. Sasuke stared at the man and shook his head.

"I'm not ready for her to see me like this." Sasuke looked away from his friend. "How come you and Kakashi won't understand that?"

"Because what are you doing when I'm not here?" Naruto then folded his arms over his chest. "You need company. Three years in solitary is not something for you."

"I was in solitary being with Orochimaru." Sasuke says. "I barely came out to train, nothing more. This is nothing to me."

"But you're missing out on so much stuff Sasuke." Naruto frowns. "Your life is passing you by and the only thing that could keep you connected is me and Sakura."

The raven twisted his lips. He understood where Naruto was coming from, but at the same time, he didn't want any forceful involvement in Sakura. If she wanted to come and see him then she would do it on her own, not because someone told her to. He understands that he's the one who told Sakura to stop coming, but he figured that it would fall upon deaf ears. Now actually longing to see her, he wouldn't want Naruto to tell her that he wants to see her. It would be going back on his word. He would be putting himself out there like a fool and that wasn't something that he wanted to do.

"It doesn't matter Naruto." He says. "I'll be about twenty when I get out of here. I'll still be young. I can fit into society when the time comes. I'll be fine the way it is."

Naruto frowned listening to his friend talk about how he didn't want someone he loved close to him in his time of need. He found it dumb. If he was in his position he would definitely want the woman he loves by his side. It would be comforting knowing that they were there. But Sasuke was different. He always knew that but he figured that he would at least start coming around once he had the time to reflect on his life up to that point.

"I guess." Naruto poked his lips out and turned away from his friend. He scratched the back of his head trying to find something to lighten the mood.

"How are things with you and Hinata going?" Sasuke found himself asking as he stretched to get ready for some exercise. Naruto felt his face get hot at the mention of the young girl.

"I-I dunno." He says. "I haven't been seeing her around the village lately. I'm assuming she went out on a mission."

Sasuke crouched down on the ground to get into position for some push-ups. Naruto subconsciously followed suit. He's been doing that lately. Since he's been seeing Sasule passing time by training and exercising, he's been joining him so he wouldn't feel so lonely.

"Hn." Sasuke huffs as he began counting his push-ups.

"I wonder if Kakashi can overturn your sentencing." Naruto says. "You're missing out on so much stuff. Shikamaru and Temari–"

"I knew they were going to end up together." Sasuke cuts the blonde off. "That was obvious at the chunnin exams. She went easy on him. She could've won."

Naruto thought for a moment. "You think so? Against Shikamaru?"

Sasuke chuckled. "Shikamaru may be a genius, but when it comes to women he's as dumb as you are."

"Hey!"

The raven chuckles.

*******

"What's got you zoning out so much today?" Ino asked her best friend as they sat across from eachother at the cafe, enjoying a smoothie and a sandwich with one another.

Sakura's eyes sparkled as Ino watch her come back from whatever realm she was in a few moments before. Sakura's eyes shifted from the window, landing on her blonde friend. Sakura then dropped her elbow from the table and looked down at her hands.

"If I be honest with you, will you judge me?" Sakura asks meekly.

Ino smiled seeing the young girl she once befriended so long ago. She wondered if that version of Sakura would ever resurface. And here she was. It made Ino happy knowing that somethings honestly never changed.

"I promise I won't judge you for whatever it is you're going to say, forehead."

Sakura's eye twitched seeing the blonde giggle a bit.

"I'm teasing." Ino smiles. "No really, what is it? What's on your mind?"

"S-Sasuke is."

Ino's eyes slightly widened as she mouthed out the letter 'O'. She tucked her hair behind her ear and propped her elbow on the table, becoming interested in whatever Sakura was going to say next.

"What about Sasuke?" Ino asked curiously.

"I-I-" Sakura stutters trying to gain her composure. "

"Don't you go see him with Naruto?" Ino's eyebrows drew together in confusion.

"No." Sakura shook her head from one side to the other.

"Why not?" Ino asked once more.

"Well, because he doesn't want me to and I respect his wishes."

Ino pursed her lips together. "Why does he not want you there but accepts someone like Naruto of all people?"

"That's his best friend Ino," Sakura sighs. "I'm nothing to him so it's only right that I don't be there. I'll see him when he's released."

"When will that be?"

Sakura shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know." She answers. "He nor Naruto will tell me that."

"Wow, Naruto's taking his side?"

"Again, their best friends." Sakura says slowly. "Of course they're gonna back eachother up and cover for one another. That's not my problem. The problem is I-I just want to see him, ya'know? Talk to him and get everything off of my chest."

"Then go see him Sakura." Ino says simply. "Stop doing this to yourself. When's the last time you've listened to anything someone told you to do? Superiors not included."

Sakura adverted her eyes from her friend. She knew Ino had a point. She never really listened to anyone but herself when she knew it was for her own good. Maybe not seeing Sasuke was for the better. Maybe it would help her cope with getting over the fact that he probably will never love her.

"I-I just wanna know where I stand with him." She says softly.

"So you wanna know if you have a chance?"

Sakura's face turned red.

Ino dug in her pocket and pulled out money to pay for her and her friend's food before standing to her feet. She quickly grabbed Sakura by the wrist and dragged her along.

"Come on." She says as they exit the cafe and walk down the dirt roads of Konoha.

"Where are we going?" Sakura asks she tries not to trip over her feet from Ino dragging her down the roads.

"I'm not going anywhere." Ino says smartly. "But YOU are going to see Sasuke. With Naruto."

Sakura coughed back a gasp. "Ino no."

"This has to be done, Sakura." The blonde tells her pink haired friend. "Everyone knows how special Sasuke is to you. You two need to seriously talk."

"I don't wanna disrespect his wishes." Sakura whines but the blonde isn't having it.

"Ino please!" Sakura pleaded. "I don't wanna be that desperate little girl to him anymore!" Ino stopped in her tracks and whirled around, Sakura slightly bumping into her.

"Sakura, I understand that." Ino sighs. "But listen, Naruto and I have been talking and both of us feel like the two of you should talk. Get things out in the open ya'know? That way you know where the two of you stand and you won't be so hung up on him. You can move on properly."

Sakura let the words of her best friend sink in. She was telling the truth. She knew that she and Sasuke had to talk about their feelings towards one another. Sakura figured he never felt anything towards her for how much he called her annoying. But besides that, what else did he feel for her.

Sakura loved Sasuke something serious. She knew that somethings he did wasn't for her own good, but unconditonally– She loved him. He tried to kill her, he called her annoying and abandoned her the moment she told him she loved him. Yes, it was a test to get him to stay in the village, but at the end of the day it was how she felt.

Ino waited none to continue dragging Sakura down the roads once she realized the pinkette was not going to say anything nor did she have anything to say about the situation anymore. Reluctantly though, Sakura allowed herself to be pulled. This, this was happening.

******

"It smells weird in here." Ino says as they walked down the steps of the confinement, just below Konoha Police station. They could hear muffled voiced and they knew once them had to be Naruto. 'We're close though."

Sakura's heart begin to race. She hasn't seen Sasuke since he told her to never come back to visit him. She didn't know what would happen. She didn't know if Sasuke would shun her again. it was too much on her mind right now as they walked down the steps. Naruto soon came into view as he let out a hearty laugh. He was sitting against the wall, facing a particular cell. Ino stopped just as they reached a little over the halfway mark. She pulled Sakura closer to her.

"I'm not staying here with you, but I will be at my shop if you need me." She says. "Naruto's right there and knowing him, he might stay to hear what the two of you talk about so you have support. Goodluck." Ino then hugs her friend and sends her down the rest of the steps.

Naruto's head turned hearing the footsteps. His eyes widened seeing a nervous Sakura come in to view.

"What?" Sasuke asked seeing his friend give a shocked expression. Something wasn't right. Naruto was frozen. He didn't move. He couldn't move. He was too much in shock. Finally though, he smiled once she reached the bottom.

"Hey Sakura!" He says. Sasuke felt his heart drop into his stomach. What is she doing here?

"H-Hi Naruto." She says slowly. Her head turns towards the cell, seeing Sasuke sitting on the ground facing Naruto, his legs crossed and reared back comfortably on his hands.

Sasuke quickly straightened his posture upon making direct eye contact with Sakura. Her eyes slightly widened as she noticed he was no longer tied up and blindfolded. They stared at eachother.

Sakura quickly shook it off and turned back to Naruto, who watched their stare down unfold the entire time.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked standing to his feet. He dusted his pants off. "Is there another mission?"

"U-Uh yeah." She smiles as she speaks. "Kakashi wants to see you."

"Okay." Naruto then stretches. He turns towards his best friend. "I see you later dude."

Sasuke nodded, though his eyes remained on the pinkette before him. This had to be his first time in months that's he's seen her and to take all of her in at once was kind of overwhelming to him. Her hair grew longer. The last time he'd seen her, her hair was barely touching her shoulders. Now it's clearly down her back. Her eyes seemed greener and her figure developed really nice. Every curve, indent and sway of her body was something he wasn't familiar with.

Naruto trudged up the steps Sakura walked towards the steps and tapped her foot on the steps plenty of times, giving the illusion that she was walking up the steps too. Once she felt Naruto was a good distance away, she stepped off the steps and walked to the cell. Sasuke had moved from his seated position and was now sitting on the bed. Raking his hands through his hair.

"I can't do this." He says to himself as he takes in a breath. "I can't do three years like this."

Three years..? That's how long he has? Sakura thought. She saw Sasuke's head shoot up and turn in her direction. She froze.

"What are you still doing here?" He asked her as he stood. "I thought that you had to report to Kakashi."

"I lied." Sakura says turning her gaze away from the raven. "I wanted us to talk."

"We have nothing to talk about, Sakura." He says.

"You might not have anything to say, but I have alot to say." She chewed on her lip as she felt all the emotions that she kept tucked away rising to the surface. "So, just listen then."

Sasuke blinked, seeing the girl shivering out of nervousness and fear. I wanted so badly to reach out and touch her. Heal her. Apologize for everything he's done to her to make her feel so unwanted. Sasuke knew Sakura loved him, and he knew she would do anything for him.

Sasuke took in a breath as he looked at her. His eyes traveled over her entire being as slowly as possible. He waited for her to speak. After realizing that she was waiting for him to accept her, he cleared his throat.

"I'm listening." He says slowly.

Sakura sat on the ground and pulled her legs to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees as she looked up at Sasuke. Taking the hint, he sat on the ground as well.

She stares at him for a moment and Sasuke had the sudden urge to fidget under her gaze, but he remained poker faced. Butterflies swarmed around in his stomach as he watched her watch him.

"Do you really find me annoying, Sasuke?" Her voice was soft when she spoke. It hurt him to hear it. His heart ached. Her eyes traveled to his and Sasuke felt his breath get caught in his throat. He didn't know what to say or how to answer. He didn't know how to answer. 

He could say yes, and hurt her feelings; or he could tell her the truth and say no. 

Sakura scoffed whenshe got no answer from the raven and shook her head. 

"I knew you thought I was." She says softly. "Like an idiot though, I still love you." 

Sasuke's eyes widened. His lips slightly parted as he tried to say something but nothing came out. He wanted so bad to stop her from talking but then again, he wanted to hear her out. This was the third time that Sakura confessed herself to him, and yet this one seemed to weigh more on him than any of the other ones. Of course the first time he was adamant on leaving the village and becoming stronger, the second time his main focus was killing Naruto. Something that obviously didn't happen.He felt he needed to be alone after the death of his brother. He thought no one would love him or accept him for one leaving the village and two, trying to kill his comrades. 

"I know I've told you plenty of times how much you mean to me, but it just seems like you ignore me or brush it off." She continues. "Do I really bother you that much? I thought after you witness what all I would be willing to go through just for you that you would realize that what I say is real and true. But every single time my whole world comes crashing down because of soemthing you said or the harshness of you saying it. I-It hurts Sasuke. It's not fair how you brush me off and send me on my way but you allow Naruto to come and go as he pleases. I'm your teammate just as much as he is and I deserve the same treatment as him. Regardless of how I feel. I'm not asking you to love me back. But at least give me the same respect that you'd give Naruto. I may come off as annoying because I care. I grew up from that. I'm not the same twelve year old girl that I used to be. You don't have to protect me anymore. I–" 

"Shut up." Sasuke cringed once the words left his mouth. Sakura's eyes found their way to him once again and he avoided her gaze. 

"W-What?" 

"Sakura." Sasuke sighs. Mentally hating himself for the words that had yet to leave his mouth. "I keep you away because I want you to not have to worry about me. You've spent three years training just to be strong enough to stand beside Naruto and I. You've wasted too many tears on me and for what? I've hurt you in so many ways. So again: I ask you, why?" 

Sakura stared at the raven and he stared back at her determined not to flinch. 

"Why can't you just see that it's not because of what you did to me?" Sakura speaks softly. Sasuke wasn't used to that. I mean sure she spoke more feminine when she talked to him rather than talking to Naruto or anyone else, but this was something completely unfamiliar. He found himself scooting closer to the cell bars. Wanting to get a really good look at her as they spoke. This was obviously long overdue and Sasuke knew that she had to get this off of her chest. 

"What are you talking about Sakura?" He asks. "What do you want from me?" 

"Stop pushing me away like I'm gonna hurt you or something!" The girl's voice raised so high that it echoed off the walls. Sasuke's eyes widened watching as the girl shook trying to controll herself from what was happening. He wanted so badly to reach out and touch her. Console her. He could tell she was trying to hard not to break in front of him but she was becoming so close to that breaking point. He never understood how Sakura became so vulnerable when it came to him. He wasn't something special. He felt as though she only loved him because of his status and because he was somewhat handsome. He didn't want that kind of love. He wanted something genuine.  

"Sasuke, I love you because you're so smart. You keep to yourself and you'd rather do things on your own than to be thrown in a team." Sakura looked over at the teen, noticing that he had moved closer to the cell bars. "You were so determined to be the best version of yourself that you could be that you neglected what you really needed in order to thrive. You needed love, you needed friendship and you needed guidance. As a team we could've given you all of that and you abandoned us for your own personal gain. That was selfish and yet, I loved you anyway. I tried to kill you to release Naruto from a burden I put on him without even realizing. We wanted to save you from that darkness but you ended up going anyway. We felt like failures you know that? Especially me knowing that my love would never be acknowledged by you nor will it ever. I've come to accept that, but I at least want us to be. If I'm really that annoying to you than tell me. You wont have to worry anything about me at all. And if Naruto decides to ever say my name around you, stop him." Sakura stood to her feet and dusted herself off. "I'm not a child anymore Sasuke so stop trying to save my feelings. Either tell me what it is or I'll pull it out of you by force." 

Sasuke gulped as he stared at Sakura. She's matured so much. He thought to himself. He finally stood as well and beckoned her to come closer to the cell. She furrowed her eyebrows but stepped closer anyway. Sasuke reached out and touched Sakura's face, shocking her that he could even be so gentle. He stroked her face, making sure he moves loose strands of pink out of her face. Slowly though, he smiled at her. 

"Sakura, stop making me you burden alright?" He says evenly. "I didn't want you here because I wanted to become close to you on my own accord. I have alot of making up to you for you and doing that behind this cell wouldn't do any justice. Just let me finish my time here and you'll see me in no time, alright?" 

Sakura blinked slowly watching the raven's small smile stay painted on his face. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt her face flush red. 

"S-Sasuke." She stuttered as she spoke his name. Sasuke's hand traveled down to the girl's chin and he cupped her chin in his hand. 

"Sakura, it's okay to love me. But I realized my mistakes and I wanna make them right. Can you allow me to do that?" 

Sakura stepped even closer to the cell and stuck her own hands into the cell. Her arms found their way to Sasuke, gripping the fabric of his clothes. Her eyes lowered. She nodded slowly. 

"I understand." She whispers. 

"I'll see you tomorrow okay?" He says lowly. Sakura looked up at the raven to see him smiling warmly at her. She smiled as well making Sasuke blush. 

"Okay." She smiles. 

Slowly, they release eachother. Sasuke reaches up and flicks Sakura on the forehead. She frowned remembering he'd done the same thing once they reached the village and parted ways from eachother. He had told her he'd see her later, but little did they know he'd be in a jail for three years. 

"Go out and have fun okay?" He tells her. "I'll be here." 

"Okay." Sakura steps back from the cell and turns to leave. As she makes her way to the steps leading up to the Konoha Police department. Sasuke called out to her. 

"Sakura." He says. 

"Hm, Yes?" She replied looking over her shoulder at him. 

"You're annoying." 

She heard the playfulness in his voice and it caused her to smile and giggle herself. 

"And you're a loser." 

"Heh." Sasuke chuckled hearing Sakura use such a label for him. It made him smile as he listened to her footsteps fade away.