The trio rested in the hospital; while the boys shared a room, Sakura had a room all to herself. It took about a little more than a week for them to recover and replenish their strength to their full capacity. Thankfully, they did not suffer from major injuries. However, Sakura was unconscious for a couple of days due to the genjutsu's side effects. Nobody knew what it was and what she had seen, but it seemed to affect her to another level.

During her stay, her mother was the only person from the Haruno clan to visit her. While the reason why her father refused to visit her was unknown, the rest of the clan was far too afraid. They felt inferior to her and the facade she puts up made her unapproachable. Instead of a leader, the head of the Haruno clan had made Sakura seem like a God to her clan. She seems too superior to go near, a position even higher than her father.

When she woke up, her two teammates were at her side. Both of them were so relieved to see her awake and embraced her without much contemplation. While each of them had their share of serious conditions from previous missions, the rogue ninjas who attacked the pinkette seriously wanted to abuse her or kill her. The damage they had done to her was undisclosed.

Her bright emerald eyes were dull when she awoke from her slumber which arose worry within her team and the Hokage. Days after that, she could not get a wink of sleep with her dark circles as evidence. None of them could understand her condition.. Well, probably except one guy.

Sasuke.

They were alone in her hospital room, late at night. The Uchiha had sneaked in during the dark, assuring his roommate had slept. It was their last night in the medical ward, but the pinkette was asked to stay for a little longer.

"Sakura?" He whispered as he entered her room with a creak of the door.

She was sitting on her bed while looking out the window when he came in. "Yeah?" She turned to him. "What do you need?"

The ravenette walked over to the bed and sat on the stool beside it. He started at her for awhile before casting his gaze downwards, as if ashamed of something.

"In that genjutsu.. What was it about?"

Silence.

He continued, "It activates whenever you try to sleep, doesn't it?"

"How did you know?" She asked, making him lock eyes with her.

"That genjutsu...can only be used by a user of Sharingan. It's a secret technique that is passed on only in the main house." He explained. "It isn't something that is used to distract you, it's objective is to damage your subconscious mind."

Her emerald eyes widened just a little bit at the new discovery.

Sasuke added, "The scene you watched is your worst nightmare and it relives in your mind whenever you lose consciousness."

"Is there...no way for me to release it? But how did they know about my fears?"

The Uchiha shook his head, "They don't. The technique digs the greatest fear from your mind and plays it in your head. If the caster's Sharingan is strong enough, he can see your weakness and use it against you."

He reached out his hands to grab both of hers and looked at her straight in the eye. His eyes were full of worry and determination. "While I'm not sure if he saw your fear, you must tell me what it is so I can release it for you. Only a Sharingan user can dispel it. If this goes on for any longer, you'll lose your sanity."

Her hands were shaking and he could feel it. The pinkette looked elsewhere, contemplating if she should reveal her weakness to him. Even though he is trustworthy, her pride wouldn't allow her to appear weak in front of others. He squeezed her hands, begging her to let him help her.

For a little while, she thought. Maybe being insane would do me good. But she knew she couldn't be so selfish.

She bit her lip and released it again before finally responding. "Fine." She took a deep breath. "My fear.. Is my future."

She expected him to look amused by her ridiculous fear, but he was confused more than anything else. He definitely did not expect that, but he was trying to understand.

"Basically, I'll lose every little freedom I have once the prophecy of the Trio Prodigies is fulfilled. I'll become my father's puppet and be isolated from the society." She said simply.

To fear the lack of freedom more than death meant something; it shows just how manipulative her father is and how depressing of a life Sakura had lived.

Sasuke frowned at her answer, sympathising with her. He witnessed how heavily guarded she was as a kid. Nobody could go close to her. Ninjas of the Haruno clan were everywhere with her walking in the middle. Everybody could barely see the tiny pinkette in the crowd of bodyguards.

He placed a hand behind her head and activated his Sharingan, "Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't see it in your dreams ever again. And I won't allow your nightmare to come true. I promise."

Before she could say a word, he gently closed the gap between their lips and kissed her tenderly. Her eyes widened in shock and her body couldn't react. His lips moved against hers and she felt the insides of her stomach flutter, it was almost painful and too ticklish to bear.

She felt him immerse himself into her mind and searched her mind for the core of the genjutsu. It was painful for him to reach her nightmare because he knew she had to reminisce it again, but it's now or never. The painful dream played in both of their minds simultaneously and he could feel her grip his shirt, balling her fists. His heart hurt when he watched the dream, how lifeless she was in the scene, being worshipped just because of her name. She was a bird locked in a cage, birds without wings and couldn't sing.

In just a few moments, he found the genjutsu seal in her nightmare and released it. He reluctantly pulled himself away from the kiss and she fell limp in his arms. The Uchiha laid her down on her bed and tucked her in before giving her a forehead kiss.

"Sweet dreams." He whispered lovingly and left the room.

==

They trained harder than before after the incident. It was only a matter of time before the rogue ninjas attack again and they must be prepared for it.

Sasuke and Sakura had been a little awkward after their little kiss in the hospital and Neji did miss the flustered look between the two. Although he said nothing, he has his suspicions and it would be a lie if he said he wasn't jealous. However, he can never be sure and if they don't want to talk about it, he wouldn't pry. Aka and Sumire seem to notice something going on between the two of them as well and the two tigers often play with each other, leaving Raimu out.

Raimu only licked his paws and turn to his master, sensing his displeasure.

While the Uchiha and the heiress are two quiet people, they became much more quiet around each other, but they often hang out together. The two of them have gotten closer after their intimate moment in the hospital. It wasn't only because of the kiss, Sakura had allowed him into her mind. He knows her better than anyone else.

They were resting in the ground in silence and Neji decided to come in between them because he wasn't happy about what they both share that he didn't know about.

The two of them were puzzled by the Hyūga's actions.

"There's something both of you are not telling me." He stated. "I don't mean to pry, but it's rather lonely to see both of you being lovey dovey."

Sakura blushed, "What? We are not! We're just really close friends!"

"And I'm not?"

"I helped her recover from the genjutsu and that's all there is to it." Sasuke said.

He cocked his eyebrow. "How? Not even Lord Hokage could help her."

"It's a secret technique in my clan. Not even I know how to cast that level of genjutsu, but I learned how to release it."

The pinkette turned away from the boys, hiding her flushed cheeks as she recalled the memory. Her hand unconsciously touched her lips which were connected to Sasuke's; the fluttering feeling returned to her body.

"Why didn't you tell the Hokage about it?" Neji questioned.

The Uchiha shrugged. "Like I said, it's confidential."

"Hmph."

Although Neji would be heartbroken if Sakura returned Sasuke's feelings instead of his, he knew he would be happy for them. Because Sasuke is a wonderful person, he believes in him and he wouldn't trust Sakura with anyone else. He would not get in their way and he certainly will not end up like the rogue ninjas who were so salty about their heartbreaks. Petty.

==

Dedicated to 21_alyssa for following me and adding some of my Naruto fanfics to your Reading List!

Who's excited that this story is going to end? :')

~Joelle

Published: December 2014
Rewritten: 6 June 2018