Meet me at the orchard.

Sakura

Sasuke huffed as he once again read the note that had been secretly put in his towel at training practice but a few hours ago. Such a silly girl, he shook his head, dwelling on that thought. Why was she even trying? She was barely even worth his recognition, let alone his love, if he could love that is…. Their years together in team seven should have made it apparent that he wanted absolutely nothing to do with her or the little innocent village they called home.

Revenge…that was what he really wanted. He wanted justice for every one of his family members' tragic deaths, not some high-strung jaunty stubborn little girl. Why couldn't she get that through her pretty little pink-haired head of hers?

Didn't she know that he was on the verge of starting a new life in the Village of Sound? Didn't she know that he was destined for better, a better life, a better home………a better girl…. Again, why couldn't she realize these simple ideas that he made very apparent every single day? She must be pretty dense if she still hadn't realized that after all the years they had been together in team seven, she still couldn't see that he wanted absolutely nothing to do with her. He was an avenger, a conquer, a warrior, not a friend, and definitely not a lover…..or at least not to her…. Besides what did she want with him anyways? She probably only wanted the Uchiha name as her own, just like any other girl he had ever met. That's basically what every other girl wanted, not any one of them really cared about him.

He had never quite realized how short the trip form his apartment to the orchard was until he was face to face with a small cabin lying in the middle of the orchard. He remembered that he, Naruto, And Sakura had spent many a nights on steak-outs there or there just to rest in between shifts of patrolling the village. It was a quaint little cabin consisting of only three rooms, the kitchen and living room adjoined with no barrier and a separate room for them to sleep. Sasuke always hated how Sakura was the one who always got to sleep on the bed while he and Naruto were forced to sleep on the floor. 'Out of courtesy for the lady' Kakashi would say. Sasuke inhaled deeply, and then knocked on the door. When he did not get an answer he decided to head on right in, and was shocked by the sight that welcomed him.

He was greeted by the unbelievingly enticing sight of Sakura's back, a strip of pale flesh pronounced in the dim lighting as she bent down to reach for something. He breathed in deeply once more to restrain himself from going over there and grabbing a hold of her. The scent of a barely existent fire flooded the room. The fire's lighting did anything and everything to amplify the smooth milky texture of her skin. Tonight she wasn't wearing her normal training attire. Instead she donned a long sleeve crimson blouse and simple white skirt and yet it gave her a more mature aura, as if she had steeped out of their daily routine just for him. Sasuke shook his to rid himself of the ridiculous thought. Why would she bother?

She had apparently had not heard him enter the cabin. He cleared his throat loudly with authority. She slowly turned his way and he could have sworn his heart skipped a beat.

The rich tan lighting of the small cabin settled on her peaceful face, heightening her allure. Long dark lashes lifted to reveal sparkling emerald eyes, eyes that for some reason looked a lot more at peace than he had ever seen them in his life. She seemed so calm and serene. What was wrong with her? Usually she was childish, noisy, and just as the many times he had stated (even to her face) annoying. Why was she acting as if she were another person?

"I didn't think you'd show."

At first her voice startled him for a moment. It held such innocence that it called towards him, yet he held his ground. When had she become this appealing? And then it hit him. Why did he show? He could have easily ignored the note and left for the Village of Sound right after training. Why the hell was he here?

Deciding not to look like a fool, he spoke up, "Hn."

It wasn't much, he knew, but he had no other thing to say to her. He was still trying to regain his composure. Lord, when had this girl gotten so attractive?

"Yes," her voice sounded so fragile, "…..here, you might need this."

She quickly turned to retrieve a navy blue bag from behind her. She held it out in front of her, offering it to him. Sasuke took it hesitantly, his hands brushing against hers for a short moment. For that moment he could have sworn he felt her cringe back, as if in fear.

Curious as to see what was inside the dark bag, he unzipped it. The first thing he noticed in the bag was a first aid kit. He shook his head at her gesture. She'd thought he'd get hurt- like that would happen. Next in the small satchel came a couple changes of clothes that looked similar to the clothes he used to face off with Gaara. And the last item…he wished he could laugh. How could have she have possibly known? At the bottom of the bag along with some food lay a bag of tomatoes. She smiled at his surprised expression. And just as soon as it had appeared, it vanished. He had never realized how uplifting even the faintest of her smiles were.

Resuming his normal stoic expression, he lifted his head to face her. Her countenance reflected a hint of satisfaction and a whole lot of another indescribable emotion. He knew it would have been nice to thank her for her generosity, but instead the gruff words of

"Is that all?" came tumbling out.

She hadn't even reacted roughly towards him as he full expected. Instead she offered a small smile and murmured, "One more thing."

Drawing a small silver heart shaped locket from her back pocket, she pulled his collar down suddenly to wind it around his neck. With the utmost care she snapped the clasp into place. He looked down to admire the locket and it gleamed under the tan lighting of the room. Abruptly, he brought his head back up, but not before getting a whiff of her strawberry scented hair- never again would that scent escape his senses. Inquisitively, he cautiously opened the locket.

A picture of team seven when they had first become genins was plastered on the left side of the heart, while a recent picture of Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura sitting on the balcony at the formal chunin banquet lay in the right side of the heart. Five years had transpired between both pictures. The changes of facial features had changed quite a bit he had noticed when comparing the pictures.

One thought stilled him. He couldn't help but think- wasn't she sad that he was leaving? Didn't she want him to stay? Did she even care about him leaving their village probably never to return?

Eyes cold and distant he spoke roughly, "Aren't you going to stop me from leaving?"

An angelic grin played across her lips.

"No," she answered easily. She had said it so casually; he couldn't help but wonder why. A distant thoughtful look claimed her eyes before she sighed deeply. Once she had reverted her attention towards him, her eyes glowed angelically.

"I figured out something today," she cast her head down, refusing to meet him eye to eye, "….you won't be happy here in the village, no matter what anyone says or does," she drew in a sharp breath, "…you're not supposed to live a normal life. You're supposed to avenge your clan and I know you will stop at nothing to achieve that," bringing her head back up, she smiled at him. "And all I wanted to do was wish you good luck with your goal"

Truth be told he hadn't heard much of what she had said except for the main points. Instead he had found her lips very interesting; the way her tongue curled when she pronounced her "S's", or the way it took refuge at the roof of her mouth when she pronounced her "L's". It wasn't until she finished her small speech that a sudden question popped into his mind.

"Sakura…..do….. do you love me?"