WARNING(S): Mentions of death, referenced murder, canon-typical dark themes, borderline yandere Sasuke (Platonic NaruSaku, implied SasuSaku)

Another morning had come. Rain pelted the roof with a deafening, rhythmic patter, the skies were gray and thick with heavy clouds, and the atmosphere left the young woman feeling drained as she went about her routine. A shower, some food, freshening up, and she was ready to get dressed - but one look out the window made her hesitate. With a sigh, she reclined on her chaise in her robe and slippers with a hot cup of tea, gazing pensively at the outside world.

Sakura hummed a distant tune as hot steam hit her face. The tea was floral, fragrant, and mild on the tongue. The burning logs in the fireplace threw a warm glow across the room, its popping and crackling soothing to her ears.

Despite the comfort of the room, her heart felt numb.

"We'll find him, I promise," her best friend had promised, cerulean eyes and a fierce expression flickering across her mind as if it had happened yesterday. It had been a week since the Jedi protecting this planet had followed a lead on the Sith, and their missing presence had set the citizens on edge. They weren't extremely important to the Galactic Commonwealth, but there were enough nobles and merchants to feel pensive about their largest source of protection off chasing heretofore unknown threats. Many had begun to grumble to themselves, cursing the Jedi. She, however, had faith. Naruto had been her oldest and dearest friend, and when he promised her something, he rarely broke it. He would find the last of their childhood triad, and he would bring him home.

The sound of a doorbell chiming from the first floor nearly made her choke on her tea. She turned, hesitant to get up; she hadn't been expecting anyone.

But then Naruto's beaming grin filled her mind, and she set her tea aside, the ceramic clinking against the end table, and got up from the lounge. She could practically hear him now. "We found him, Sakura! He's safe and sound!"

Her breath was short as she hurried down the stairs, nearly tripping over her own feet. She tugged at the ends of her sash again, putting an almost uncomfortable pressure on her ribs, but she didn't care - and as she got to her foyer and all but threw the door open, she parted her lips to greet her visitor--

--and it just as quickly died on her tongue, eyes growing wide at the cloaked man towering above.

"W- who--?!" She gasped, taking a step back into the warmth of her home. Her fingers gripped the door frame tightly, threatening to crack under her strength.

The hooded man paid her little mind, ducking as he stepped in after her. Rain dripped from the fringes of his clothing, dampening the stone as he calmly removed his shoes.

Sakura watched in horror - and surprise - as he removed the hood, and shocking amber eyes met her own. Familiar amber eyes.

"I'm home," the voice of her childhood friend - and crush - murmured as he gently shut the door, insulating them from the chill of the rain, "Sakura."

Gingerly, he reached out to cup her chin - and shut her mouth, which she had been unaware was open. There was a certain fondness in his face as he beheld her, eyes flickering up and down across her visage.

"Wh- what-- why--" She fumbled with her words, blinking rapidly. "What-- what happened to you, Sasuke? It's been ten years..."

The softness in his face hardened somewhat, and his hand left her face. "I'm sure you know what happened to me."

"But... why?" She searched his face, followed every scar and wrinkle, and unconsciously reached for him. "What did you have to gain? We looked for you - Naruto--"

" Don't speak of him to me, " he abruptly hissed, eyes narrowing into slits as he snatched her hand.

Sakura swallowed as his tight grip made her bones ache. He certainly had grown, not just in stature, but in strength since he had been kidnapped.

"Thanks to the Sith, I'm more powerful than I've ever been. For all that old man has done, it's thanks to him that I can protect what I love." Some of that softness returned to his gaze as he added, "I can protect you."

"What's wise about selling your soul to the devil?" She countered, clasping her other hand around his. "Sasuke, it's not just you that's chasing power. I've been an apprentice under the Grand Healer for a while now, and I can hold my own in a fight! I don't want to be a burden on you anymore."

A tiny smile spread across his lips, and he let out a wry chuckle. "Sakura... you could never be a burden to me. That Mark looks... divine on you. I can sense you've grown in strength."

The pink-haired woman let out a tiny squeak as he leaned in. Warm lips pressed against her forehead, right against the Seal. Power thrummed to the surface in response, an unconscious force pushing back against that malevolent power she felt bubbling inside of him.

"S- Sasuke..."

"You don't have to worry about me leaving you alone." Pulling back, he grasped her shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere, ever again. Would that make you happy?"

She stared openly at him. "What... did you do?"

His eyes flashed. "My master is no more, if that's what you're wondering. And I have no intention of following in his damned footsteps."

What should've been relief instead hung around her shoulders like dread. Killed? The Sith Lord Orochimaru? The man so obsessed with immortality and power that he went through apprentices like napkins? The man who singlehandedly carried the blood of countless Jedi like a cloak?

Sasuke's gaze was too intense, too probing - and she found that she had to look towards something else. She settled on his chin.

"You... you're going to stay?"

"That's my intention." He said it as fact. No questions about it, no implicit pleas for shelter.

Forcing a smile, she nodded and stepped away. "Let me brew you some tea while you dry off your cloak."

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A/N: Let me know what you thought!