The Medic's Touch [SasuSaku]

Chapter 1: Blood Atonement

Author's Note:

Hello SasuSaku shippers!

Some of you might remember my profile from ffnet if you've been around for a long time (my username has changed over the years).

I used to write quite frequently for this amazing ship (I deleted most of those stories) as I've been part of the fandom for 10+ years now. I uploaded the first chapter of this story a long time ago on this platform, AO3 and ffnet but recently reworked it as my writing style has improved significantly and I really feel excited about this plot, so I wanted to do it justice.

A huge thank you to my friend for being my beta for this story and for giving me the courage I needed to start typing about my first ever ship once more as I haven't had the best experience in the past.

I really hope you all enjoy the first chapter!

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A soft sigh escapes Sakura's lips as she shakes her head gently, it was becoming a routine now and she couldn't approve of it in the slightest. After weeks of absence, here he was in her office once again having his injuries tended to, it was never the same type of injury either. No, he was far too clever to make the same error twice, however, he still failed to ever come back completely unscathed.

The joy in seeing his handsome face in her doorway was always short-lived, his poor physical condition never ceasing to put a dampener on the situation. To make matters worse, the Uchiha generally said next to nothing as she tended to him, he just sat there quietly. It wasn't particularly surprising, but was a little conversation after such a long absence really too much to ask?

Her tongue traces across her glossy red lips and she thoughtfully ties the bandage she had been working on into a knot, pressing her fingertips over the finished product for a brief moment. "No heavy weapons in this hand for a fortnight at least," She murmurs as her right-hand brushes a few strands of hair out of her eyes, her gaze meeting his as she sits upright and relaxes her shoulders.

"I don't understand why your body is always littered with small injuries when you get back from your missions, Sasuke. You were always so attentive," She states, rising from her chair to returning the items she had used to their original positions. Sure, there was the matter of his missing appendage, but given the sheer amount of time that had elapsed and his unrivalled technique, she had no doubt that his disability was not the cause for his constant stream of injuries.

"It's not important," he responds simply. Raven locks fluttering past his dual-toned eyes as he shrugs his caramel poncho over his attire; "It'll heal, it doesn't matter."

Sakura freezes, anger bubbling away inside her as she fights the urge to crush the glass jar she was holding. Was he putting himself in harm's way as part of his atonement? "Don't say that. Of course, it's important!" the medic snaps, her voice wavering as she turns to look over her shoulder at him; "If you honestly believe that allowing yourself to get injured will resolve anything, I will refuse to let you leave this village alone. This twisted blood atonement approach of yours needs to end."

Throat tightening, she slams the jar she was gripping down on the counter with as little force as she could muster. Bright eyes tremble as she instinctively strides up to the man she loved beyond her better judgement. He was foolish, and at times incredibly headstrong. But she was in too deep, there was no turning back.

A smirk creeps across Sasuke's lips as he silently takes note of how passionately the woman before him was attempting to persuade him to take better care of himself. Even to the extent of making threats. Such conversations were commonplace in the last twelve months, but despite the irritating nature of said conversations, Sasuke couldn't find it in himself to be irritated, much to his surprise.