Word Count: 300.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Sakura's jaw tightened as she laid eyes on him, his dark eyes staring back at her.
Sasuke stood tall and unapologetic, his eyes blank as though he had no idea why she was glowering at him and dropping into a defensive stance.
There was, however, a hint of mockery in his black eyes as if to say, 'Do you think I will protect you now? Will anyone protect you now?'
She didn't need protecting. She never had; she had just leaned on his protection like a crutch and allowed it to cripple her.
But Sasuke had needed someone to protect, needed someone to make him feel worthwhile and strong, and Sakura had been happy to oblige him in that matter. She wondered if he still felt that compulsion to protect, or if that part of him, like his morality and his heart, had withered away and died in the cool tunnels of Orochimaru's inner sanctum.
"Sasuke-kun." For the first time, Sakura noticed the pale, attractive red-haired girl standing beside him, tugging on his sleeve and flashing a curious stare at her with bright red eyes hidden behind thick glasses lenses. "Who is she?"
Sasuke never took his eyes off of Sakura. "Karin," he murmured. "Go find the others. Make sure they are alright, and once you find them, stay where you are."
The girl jerked her head back mutinously, and opened her mouth as if to argue, but a quiet look from Sasuke silenced her and seemed to make her think better of it. "Okay."
The girl headed off in the other direction through the trees, and Sasuke stepped firmly into the place where she had stood, effectively blocking her from Sakura's view.
Sakura bit her lip; she had her answer. Sasuke, it seemed, had found someone else to protect.