Sakura Haruno leaped from tree to tree silently. She was returning to Konoha from the Sand Village after completing her mission there. She had gathered herbs and made antidotes and new medications for the Shinobi there. Even though Sasori had been defeated, he was still alive, and was producing more amounts of poison than ever. She leaped to the ground gracefully and began running, letting her arms drift behind her so they wouldn't slow her down.

Sasuke Uchiha looked up at the sky. He was training in a clearing in the woods, but took a break and observed the clouds overhead. He created a Chidori and held it in his hand. It had been three years since he had abandoned the Hidden Leaf Village along with his friends. Sakura, I wonder how you've been… I hope Naruto and the others have made you happy. His heart melted when he thought of her, and he suddenly found it extremely difficult to breathe. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and scowled at himself for showing that much emotion. I can't allow myself to be this weak. The Chidori in his hand grew bigger, and it drowned out the sounds of rapid running footsteps coming towards him.

Sakura looked behind her, thinking she heard a noise in the trees. Quickly scoping out the forest, she relaxed, knowing that the only moving being there was her. She snapped her attention forward again, and saw a man standing there, holding a blue orb. Watch out! She thought fleetingly, and tried to stop, but she was running too fast and slipped on the ground. They collided, and the blue orb flew into a tree and obliterated it. She instinctively threw her hands out to catch herself, but they wrapped around his chest and they both fell to the ground.

"What the fuck? Watch where the hell you're going, you stupid--!" He stopped talking as soon as he saw pink hair draped over him. No way, it couldn't be.

Sakura groaned and stood up. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going and I…"

When she saw who was on the ground in front of her, she fell silent, and she felt like she was melting painfully from the inside. She stood there, frozen, staring at him in shock. Sasuke glared at her and stood up. "What the hell are you doing here? Get out of my sight."

He began to walk away, but she stopped him. "Sasuke… why are you doing this? Why did you leave your friends for Orochimaru, when you know what he's trying to use you for? I don't understand."

He glanced over his shoulder. "Go away, you mean nothing to me."

Sakura held her breath and felt a sudden courage spring to life in her chest. "Th-that's not true!"

Sasuke stopped in his tracks. "What?"

"You do care! How can you not, after everything we wen through together as teammates? As friends? You pretend not to have feelings but I know you do! Even Zabuza, as awful as he was, had feelings for Haku! Gaara had feelings for his siblings and later for us as friends! You can't just detach yourself, and--."

"Shut up."

Sakura stopped talking and stared at him.

Sasuke continued, "Shut the fuck up. You don't know me."

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't, you stupid girl! You-!" But he stopped as he heard rustling in the bushes. It was most likely Orochimaru looking for him. He didn't care what happened to him, because he could fight him off if need be. Besides, Orochimaru wouldn't kill him. But as far as someone like Orochimaru would be concerned, Sakura would just be in the way...

"Shit."

Without thinking, Sasuke grabbed Sakura and dived into the underbrush, covering her mouth.
"Mmff," she protested.
"Be quiet," he hissed. The footsteps were growing closer...