Hellooooo, everybody!! Now before you kill me!! I'm super duper sorry I haven't updated in a while, okay! I'll even get on my knees to apologize! But honestly, it's been pretty tough with going back to school and everything. Originally, I wanted to completely wrap up Dragon Boy and Princess before coming back to this, but after seeing how long it was taking to write the epilogue because I wanted to get everything just right, and seeing all your lovely comments about how you couldn't wait for the next chapter, I was like screw it! I'm writing Torn! Of course I am still writing the epilogue of Dragon Boy and Princess, so anyone who's waiting for that, please don't get discouraged. It will come! Anyway, I'm sure you guys have waited long enough, so here is chapter 24!

            A powerful kick was sent directly into Sakura's gut, catapulting her backwards twenty meters into the rough bark of a tree. The sheer force of her collision with the tree knocked the breath right out of her. She coughed, bile rushing to her mouth. She slid to the ground, trying to catch her breath. Footsteps sounded as someone approached, but Sakura could not muster up the strength to look up, focusing on getting her lungs to work again.

           "Is that all you've got, Sakura?" a strong female voice asked. "If I were using all my strength on you, you'd have broken through at least ten trees, you know?"

           Despite the pain and soreness coursing through every fiber of her being, Sakura struggled to stand up, and glared at Tsunade, her eyes glowing green.

           The blonde smirked, her own hazel eyes ablaze.

           "Nice to see there's still some fight in you. Come on then! I don't have all day!"

           Sakura smirked herself, and willed the energy to course through her, drawing on her anger and the maddening feeling of helplessness she was striving to get rid of. She placed her foot on the tree trunk, and kicked off, launching herself at the Hokage.

           Sakura had started training with Tsunade a couple days ago. The first thing the Hokage had her do was sit down in the library and go through a stack of 25 books. Sakura hadn't grown up in Konoha, nor had she attended the Academy everyone apparently went to as children, so she had a lot to catch up on. It was all so fascinating and new that she had sped through all of them in only a day, staying cooped up in her room devouring book after book, and only eating because Mikoto forced her to.

           Tsunade had been extremely impressed with her and had started the practical teaching right away. Most things Sakura caught onto pretty quickly; she had always been a fast learner. The difficult part was that most of the things she was learning were about feeling it out, emotions.

           Her first particularly difficult task had been to bring a dying fish back to life using her "chakra". Now that had definitely been a trial, but after hours upon hours of work, she had finally managed to do it. It had been exhilarating. Of course, she had been exhausted by the end of it since her only experience healing someone had been through her blood.

           For that matter, Tsunade still didn't have an answer. She had basically chalked it up to evolution, which Sakura didn't feel was quite right, but what other answer was there?

           Sasuke had still not come back from whatever hole he'd crawled into, and a constant anger at him for abandoning her for whatever fear he had was always burning just under the surface. She hadn't gone to look for him, and according to Itachi neither had Naruto because of how angry he was with him. Sakura knew he would go eventually—Sasuke was his best friend—but it made her happy that he was holding off out of respect for her.

           Speaking of, she had also been hanging out with Hinata quite a lot. The shy Hyuga was a very good friend of hers now, and she felt as if she could share anything with her. Hinata had actually been extremely supportive about her training and would often come watch or bring her food. All Hinata and Naruto's other friends were apparently due to arrive back at the village any day now, returning from their respective posts. Unease was running through the village because of the lack of attacks and movement by the enemy, and it was starting to get to Sakura as well.

           She had to get stronger.

           "Alright, that's enough for today," Tsunade said, looking down at a battered and exhausted Sakura.

           "No, I can... I can keep going..." Sakura panted, struggling to raise herself on her elbows, and failing miserably.

           "No, Sakura. Enough is enough. Working hard is good, but if you push yourself too far, it all goes to waste. Get some rest," Tsunade said, helping her into a sitting position.

           Sakura leaned back against the trunk of the very same tree she'd been kicked against and closed her eyes.

           "You've progressed a lot in these past few days, you know? I've never had a disciple like you. You're getting faster and stronger at an alarming rate. I'm sure that in time... Well, that will be well in the future, but you will certainly make an amazing Healer."

           This warmed Sakura's insides enough that she was able to open her eyes and smile at her mentor. Tsunade didn't seem like the type of person to give praise or compliments very often, so every kind word from her gave Sakura another boost of confidence.

           "And look who's here. Just on time as always," Tsunade said, looking off to the left.

           Sakura followed her gaze and saw a beautiful girl with pale lavender eyes and midnight hair running towards her. A tired smile made its way across her face as the worried Hyuga approached.

           "Sakura, are you alright?" Hinata exclaimed as she knelt down next to her.

           "Hehe, fit as a fiddle, Hinata," she said, although now she was painfully aware of the fact that she was drenched in sweat, she had bruises forming all over her body, and that her muscles burned with exhaustion. "Okay, maybe not."

           Tsunade rolled her eyes, and gestured to the pinkette saying, "Please take care of her, Hinata."

            "Yes, Hokage-sama," she said, bowing her head respectfully. "Oh, you've worked yourself too hard again, Sakura."

            She grabbed her arm, and slung it over her shoulder, heaving Sakura up, and supporting her with unexpected strength as Tsunade walked off. After a bit of walking, Hinata sighed and muttered, "Screw this, it will take hours to get back to your house at this rate. She left Sakura propped up against a trunk for a moment as she disappeared amongst the trees. Sakura felt kind of ridiculous being unable to walk on her own, and now being propped against a tree. She had pushed herself quite a lot these past few days, testing her limits to the point of breaking, and this was of course the result.

           A moment later, Hinata emerged from the trees, or at least, Sakura was pretty sure it was Hinata due to the familiar pale lavender eyes, for in front of her stood an elegant beast covered in sleek silver fur. The wolf was practically her height, its stature oozing power. It opened its mouth and spoke in Hinata's voice, startling Sakura.

           "Come on then, get on."

           Sakura limped over to the she-wolf, and cautiously slung one leg onto her back, settling slowly on her. She leaned forward until she was practically lying on top of her, and knotted her hands in Hinata's soft silver coat. She looked back at her strong form as she started running, not quite believing that her friend had just transformed into a wolf. And yet, tied to her back leg were Hinata's clothes. Apparently they didn't shift with her.

           In practically no time at all, they arrived at the Uchiha compound. No one on the way had seemed the least bit surprised to see a wolf running through the streets of Konoha, and they had barely even spared them a glance. Weird.

           As soon as they arrived, Mikoto burst out of the house, Naruto right behind her.

           "Oh, dear, you've really gone and done it this time, haven't you?" she said, clicking her tongue as she came towards her.

           Sakura slid off Hinata's back, and Mikoto caught her, gently supporting her by the arm.

          "Sorry, Mikoto-san," Sakura said, feeling bad for causing the kind woman to worry about her.

           "Let's get you inside," she said, disregarding Sakura's apology.

           Naruto shook his head at her as she passed him to the threshold, and she childishly stuck her tongue out at him. Mikoto settled her on the couch, and immediately went to busy herself in the kitchen. Sakura wrinkled her nose in disgust at herself, wanting nothing more than to take a shower, or maybe a bath seeing the state of her body at the moment.

           Mikoto soon came back with a steaming cup in her hand and handed it to Sakura. The drink reeked.

           "It's an herbal mix that's guaranteed to give you strength. It's disgusting. Drink up," she said, smiling wryly.

           Sakura blinked at her but didn't argue. She prepared herself for the worst, and put her lips to the rim of the cup. Just then, Naruto and Hinata came in hand in hand, Hinata now human and fully clothed.

           "Keep an eye on her," Mikoto said before walking off.

           "You can count on us, Mikoto!" Naruto said, saluting mockingly.

           They sat down on the couch opposite her while Naruto looked at her, amusement and worry flickering across his whiskered features.

           "What?" Sakura snapped.

           "Nothing. Just that you remind me a lot of myself," he remarked.

           "How so?" she asked curiously.

           "I used to want to be acknowledged by everyone in village. I wanted it so badly in fact, that I would train just as hard as you are and hurt myself even more in the process. I got strong eventually, but I wouldn't have if I had kept that up. You'll learn steadily, butdon't work yourself so hard."

           Hinata smiled fondly at her mate, which he saw, and in return, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, laughing.

           "Of course, this one was watching me secretly whenever she could."

           "N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata said, blushing in embarrassment.

           "Come on, I think it was cute, dattebayo!" he said, grinning cheekily.

           Sakura smiled at the adorable couple, and said, "Thanks for the advice, Naruto. I'll keep it in mind."

           "Good!"

           Just then there was the distinct sound of the front door opening, and laughter bubbled in. Itachi walked into the living room carrying his mate bridal style, both of them laughing merrily as he spun her around. They stopped as soon as they noticed everyone in the living room staring at them before they looked at each other and burst out laughing again.

           Mikoto walked back in, drying her hands on a towel with a look of bewilderment.

           "What's got you two so happy?" Naruto asked.

           Itachi put Mina down, both of them with huge grins on their faces.

           "We just went to the hospital!" Mina squealed.

           "Oh, my goodness, why?" Mikoto said worriedly, immediately going to examine the two.

           Naruto and Hinata immediately rose in worry as well, while Sakura... well, she couldn't do much of anything really lest she risk ripping a muscle. Then again, she wasn't worried; she knew exactly why they had gone to the hospital.

           "Relax, Kaa-san," Itachi said. "We went for a good reason." He looked at Mina lovingly. "It was for the first ultrasound."

           Sakura grinned from her spout on the couch as everyone else immediately starting clamoring in excitement. Mina and Itachi pulled out the sonogram, and showed everyone, coming to Sakura last. Only then did Mina and Itachi come off their hype and ask her what was wrong. She assured them it was nothing, and hurriedly asked them to show her the sonogram. Mina handed it to her, grinning excitedly. Sakura examined it, all her medical expertise kicking in. The head was already formed and recognizable while the rest of the body was on its way. Actually, it was a bit odd... there were two...

           Sakura gasped and looked at the couple in excitement.

           "You're having twins!" she squealed.

           "Yup! Two in one go!" Mina exclaimed, not able to contain her joy.

           "Wait what? Let us see!" Naruto said, grabbing the sonogram. "How can you tell it's twins?"

           "Look," Sakura said pointing. "Two heads."

           "Ooh!" Everyone said, leaning over the picture.

           "Congratulations!" Sakura said, sincerely, hugging Mina.

           "Wouldn't have happened without you," she said, grinning. "Well I guess it would have eventually, but definitely not now. So, thank you."

           "Yes, thank you," Itachi said as well.

           Everyone now looked at her, smiles on all their faces. Her own heated up, unused to all this positive attention.

           "I-It was no big deal! Really!" she insisted.

           "Well, this deserves a celebration!" Naruto exclaimed.

           "Oh dear," Mikoto muttered, apparently knowing what was about to happen.

           "And you're in luck, cause I'm throwing a party!"

           They all blinked at him.

           "What?" they asked in unison.

           "Well, I figured since everyone is coming back, we should have a party! It's been ages since we all saw each other under nice circumstances. Everyone loves a party, and here's just one more reason to throw one!" Naruto said, clearly trying to convince everyone that a party in the middle of a war was a good idea.

           "And I suppose you'll want to have it here?" Itachi asked, a knowing look in his eyes.

           "Well since you're offered so kindly! Yes!" He grinned mischievously. "Plus!" he continued when Mikoto gave him the stink eye. "It'll give Sakura a chance to meet everyone!"

           Mikoto's harsh look faltered at that, and Sakura internally rolled her eyes. Of course, Naruto was going to use her to throw a party, although it would give her a chance to meet everyone... Why not?

           "Alright, fine," Mikoto gave in. "But this place had better be as clean as right now."

           "Got it!" Naruto beamed. "Thanks, Mikoto!"

           She rolled her eyes and walked upstairs. Naruto then turned to all of them giddily, and yelled, "WE'RE HAVING A PARTY!"

           For anyone who hadn't heard, they were having a party.

           Hunger clawed at his insides, coupling with the despair and guilt he felt. He turned, trying to find a position that would not cause him such discomfort, but to no avail. There was no escaping emotions. He knew that now.

           Coward.

           I know. You haven't ceased to remind me every single day.

           You need to hear it.

           ... I know.

           Sasuke hadn't gone back home since that terrible day. Instead, like the coward his inner kept saying he was, he had run away deep into the woods to his usual spot. It was a large oak tree whose branches instead of reaching up, splayed outwards, forming a flat surface upon which a treehouse was built. The Uchiha didn't know who had built it, nor when, but ever since he had discovered it, he had maintained it as well as he could. It was now his refuge.

           Ever since he had left, his family and friends' words had echoed in his head nonstop. Sometimes, they would blare one by one clear as day in his head, and other times all the words would mix, turning into his own personal torture of a cacophony of the harsh truth.

           Naruto hadn't come to get him yet. Part of Sasuke was relieved he hadn't, and the other part feared that fact because it meant that he was extremely upset with him. It was hard enough that his peers were disappointed in him, but knowing that Naruto was too was somehow a harder punch to the gut.

           He couldn't bear to think about Sakura because of the immense guilt that ate him on the inside every time he thought about what he'd done to her, and yet she was all he could think about. She plagued his mind day and night, and his desire to see her, and profess his feelings and sincere apologies to her got stronger every day. And yet the constant fear of rejection held him back from running to her; the fear that what he'd done was so horrible, she would not want him anymore, even if he was her mate.

           Yes, Sasuke had admitted to himself that she was his mate. As soon as she had kissed him, it had confirmed everything, and yet he had pushed her away! He had pushed her away and yelled at her! Her face frozen in hurt flashed in his mind, and he screamed in an effort to rid himself of the horrible image. He dug his nails into his arms so deep, he drew blood. Unfortunately, drinking his own blood did him no good. A metallic taste rose to his mouth as he remembered what it had been like drinking Sakura's blood. The way she had offered it without hesitation, not scared of him at all.

           He had ruined everything.

           Yeah you did, his inner grumbled, pissed beyond imagination at him.

           You know we're the same person, right? Sasuke questioned.

           Of course, but if you'd let me—YOUR INSTINCT—act, then we wouldn't be in this situation!

           He had a point of course. If he had listened to his impulses from the beginning, none of this would have happened, and Sasuke would probably be... well, he'd probably be happy.

           A twig snapped, and Sasuke sat up immediately, listening. He was just about to activate his sharingan when a blur of orange shot towards him so fast, he didn't even have the time to blink. A fist collided with his face, and Sasuke was sent flying out of the little hut, landing hard on the ground. Before he could even sit up, his attacker was above him, red slitted eyes making it clear that he was royally pissed off.

           It was Naruto in semi-jinchuriki form, a layer of red bubbling chakra coating his figure. Sasuke immediately deflated and looked up at his best friend wearily.

           "You've finally come," Sasuke stated, not bothering to get angry at him for punching him. He figured he deserved it.

           "I didn't think I'd be able to refrain from hitting you if I had come earlier, but apparently, I still couldn't," Naruto snarled, his faces inches from the Uchiha's own.

           Sasuke didn't respond, continuing to stare up at Naruto in resignation. What was he to do? He was weak, starving, and ashamed of himself beyond measure.

           "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Naruto asked sharply.

           He shook his head.

           Naruto smacked the earth right next to his right ear, sending a vibration through his body.

           "Do you know how badly you hurt her?" Naruto yelled.

           Sasuke looked away.

           "No! Look at me!" Naruto growled, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look into his angry red eyes.

           "You broke her, Sasuke! She had been holding herself together after everything that happened, and then you went and acted like an idiot, and broke everything!"

           Every word of his was like a knife to the heart, and he wanted to avoid his eyes so badly, the eyes of the person he'd failed. Well, one of the people he'd failed.

           "And yet—" Naruto's voice broke, tears forming in his eyes. "And yet she still wants to be with you! She... she doesn't want you to be alone anymore!"

           Sasuke's heart skipped a beat as his throat constricted, and for the first time in a long time, his eyes moistened, and a tear slipped down his cheek.

           Sakura didn't want him to be alone anymore? She wanted to be with him?

           Sasuke's unprecedented reaction shocked Naruto so much, his coat of chakra fell away, and his eyes returned to their regular stark blue. He hastily got off of him, and stood up, wiping his own tears from his face. He didn't look at him as he spoke in a clipped voice. "Listen, Teme. Whatever happens, you're still my best friend, and I'll forgive you... eventually. But do Sakura and yourself a favor and get it through your thick skull: you are not alone anymore. There's someone waiting for you patiently, and she's all yours. So, hurry and take her. Jeez, and they say I'm dense..."

           Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at that. When had he gotten dumber than Naruto?

           On a totally unrelated note, Naruto said, "I'm having a party tomorrow night at your house." Sasuke furrowed his eyebrows. "Everyone is coming. If you want to come, and you're finally gonna make things right, you're welcome, but if not, don't even bother coming."

          Strange that Naruto was telling him he was welcome in his own house, but Sasuke didn't question it. He simply nodded, then realized Naruto wasn't looking at him, and said, "I'll think about it."

           "Good," Naruto said shortly. He rummaged through his pockets momentarily and threw him something red before taking off into the woods. Sasuke sat up, stunned at his abrupt departure before his nose picked up the scent coming from the bag, and all his attention was riveted on it.

           Blood.

           He ripped it open and tore into it hungrily, sucking until he could no longer breathe. The pleasure was short lived, but it revitalized him. Of course, Naruto would think about his wellbeing despite being angry with him. That's just how he was.

           He sat back on his palms and licked the last of the blood off his lips when his inner decided to speak suddenly.

           You know what our fatal flaw is, don't you?

           Sasuke stayed silent, partly because of the shock of such a random question, and partly because he didn't quite know how to answer.

           It's our fear. Our fear of being alone makes us act without thinking, hurting ourselves and the people around us.

           ...

           We've been like this too long, Sasuke! There's no need to be like this anymore! We have Sakura! It's time for us to change! Aren't you done feeling pathetic and miserable?

           ... yes. I'm sick of it, but it's not as easy as it sounds! Letting go of that fear... will be the hardest thing I'll ever do.

           You mean that we'll ever do. But we can do it! Especially with her by our side!

           He was right of course. His inner was right quite a lot these days, which kind of irritated Sasuke.

           Ok then, Sasuke said before he could lose his nerve. Tomorrow we'll go to that party and apologize to Sakura.

           We're probably going to have to grovel at her feet.

           ...

           Sasuke!

           All right, all right! Whatever it takes, we'll do it.

           You said we! Oh Sasuke, I knew you loved me!!

           Shut up.

           ...

           ...

           By the way, you do realize Naruto is throwing a party at our house, right?

           Yes, I am aware.

           But, it's our—

           It's best not to dwell on his idiocy.

           You're right.

Sooooo, what did you guys think? I know this chapter was kind of filler-y, but trust me when I say that this is necessary for what is going to happen next. I know everyone is eager for Sakura and Sasuke to just make up and get together, but just bear with me. I mean the story wouldn't be interesting if there was no drama, right? Not to mention, Sasusaku wouldn't really be Sasusaku without drama and complications. Anyway, please don't expect the next chapter right away because as I posted on my message board, this school year and the next are going to be really important for me, and my future, so updates will not be as frequent as I really need to make sure to concentrate on school these two years. Of course, that doesn't mean I will drop this story ever. I will see through it to the end because I know personally how annoying it is when people don't finish their stories, and you see that the last time they updated was three years ago. Anywho, hopefully, big things will be happening next chapter, so stay tuned for more drama and action! Also, who else is proud of our baby Sakura this chapter? Am I right? And twins! Yay! Predictions as to gender people? Alright, I gotta sleep, so peace out, and I'll see you guys next time. Ja ne!