It was a cold night, sky was covered by what everyone wished to be clouds and the wind would only bring the screams of the dead. Tonight was not a good night. But then again, when had it been the last time there was such thing? Tonight was not a good night. Sakura knew that better than anyone and yet, despite all the cold, all the clouds and all the screams, she still was warm and cozy inside. It had been a long time since she last felt this way. And all because of him, a traitor, a murderer, a coldhearted bastard she wish she didn't care about - her first love.

Her heart would squeeze every time she remembered his soft breath on her ear, the whole hustle and bustle of the battle stopped by his enchanting whisper. "I will be waiting for you tonight. Meet me in the Uchiha's ruins."

Tonight was definitely not a good night.

What did he want? What was he plotting? Should she go... and by herself of all things? She had to think it through. Sure the almighty Uchiha Sasuke had returned and Team 7 had been reunited, technically she couldn't have been any happier. Except she wasn't.

Sakura might have been naive, but not anymore. She knew better now. Something was wrong, it just didn't feel right. And Sasuke wanting to meet her could only mean trouble. Logically she shouldn't go. Logically she should tell someone, anyone. Logically... yes, Sakura had always been a smart girl. But - there's always a but, isn't there? - that warmth inside her was burning away every rational thought.

It wasn't just that. Her heartbeat was racing far too fast, her hands sweating far too much, her throat tightening, every cell on her body wanting to see him, to feel him. Not that she liked him. Sakura no longer loved Sasuke, she had moved on. "This is nothing but curiosity," she told herself. Curiosity with a pinch of hope...

Whatever it was, whatever she wanted to call it, it undeniably brought her to him. Because, now, Sakura was breathlessly standing on those ruins that belonged to what once was a great Clan. The Uchiha Clan.

He was already there, waiting for her like he had told her. He was nearly not as nervous as her, in fact, Sasuke was just as cool as always. Clearly unconcerned about the risk of her not coming. After all, Sakura not coming to him was a scenery he didn't consider possible. He finally raised his head to face the girl in front of him.

Logic, rationality, intelligence if there ever was such thing in her, it all vanished the moment her emerald eyes met his.

"Sakura... you came."

"Were you not expecting me to?" she remarked immediately.

He smiled in midst of her cheeky attitude. She hadn't always been this way, not towards him at least. "Of course I was, I just thought saying it aloud would reassure my theory."

She frowned, alerted by his possible intentions. "What theory?"

Sasuke's hand went back to the broken stone table as he allowed his body to lean on it, having no intention of replying to Sakura's question. He was far too relaxed around her and she hated it. Could she not have the same feverish effect on him the way he had on her?

She sighed out of frustration, knowing he didn't plan to answer. "Well what brings the two of us here then?"

"For starters, you could come closer. After all I don't bite... much," he amusingly told her.

But Sakura had never been too fond of Sasuke's sense of humor -if he had any, since it always seemed to be far darker than she would like it to be. "I'm good, thank you."

He took a deep breath, leaving all jokes behind. "C'mon Sakura, if I wanted to hurt you I would have done it ages ago."

"See that's the problem Sasuke: you have hurt me!"

After such unexpected declaration she finally realized that, despite curiosity, despite all those symptoms that were consuming her, pain would still speak louder.

Sasuke lowered his head, unable to face her, aware that she was indeed right. He may be strong, brave and audacious on the battlefield but Sakura knew that in reality he was also a coward, always running away from problems, never admitting his mistakes. She knew it so she was already expecting another mute answer.

"I know and for that I'm sorry. Not that apologies will ever make up for everything I've done. But that's all I have left isn't it?"

Her eyes went wide in surprise, could she be hearing well? The great Uchiha Sasuke apologizing and to her out of all people? 'No Sakura don't give in just yet. It's a trap! He's playing you,' she thought right away.

"It's okay if you don't believe me," he continues.

"I don't..."

His onyx eyes bored into hers, almost for too long.

'Oh no... my voice just cracked didn't it? Don't let him know idiot! Don't let him see through you!' Sakura cleared her throat while trying to empower her own words. "I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but we're at war. People need us out there. I don't know what about you but I have no intentions of standing still here when I could be helping someone. So just get straight to the point, will you?"

Sasuke cool facade is hard to break but she could tell he was annoyed by her words. She had always annoyed him, hadn't she? He finally got up and since Sakura insisted in maintaining a reasonable distance, Sasuke figure he had to be one shortening it. Thus he determinedly started walking in her direction. Except Sakura was uneasy about this move of his, so she reluctantly stepped back as she focused chakra on her fist, ready to strike at any moment. She couldn't risk having him too close. She couldn't despite eagerly wanting him to.

There's no such thing as stopping Sasuke but that night Sakura did little to stop him. She told herself she wouldn't give in but she quickly found herself embraced by his wishes and whims.

He was already too close.

Her limbs froze by his gaze alone, she was unable to move any further from him and no matter how much she wished it to be due to some kind jutsu, both Sakura and Sasuke knew there was no jutsu needed to make her fall into his hands.

The two warriors scarred by the events of time stood in front of each other, almost as if they were both under this one spell, commonly known as love.