Chapter One

The wind whips my short hair around as thunder rolls in the far distance. I grip onto my loves silky cloak and watch as the harsh air carries my tears away. My breath comes only in pained gasps as I lean above his near stiff body. How could I let this happen? Staring up at me, he grasps my shirt, and for the first time in my memories, I seem to see a tear glisten in his eyes. Realizing it is my own; I wipe his face and choke on the tears that haven't yet escaped.

I watch, terrified, as he slowly lifts his hands from his sides and removes the ring that he has always worn since I've known him. Laying his palm out flat, he waits for me to give him my hand. I struggle with the idea, then slide my hand into his. His eyes shine in the dull air around us, "I'm sorry," he says, in an almost whisper as he places the ring onto my right hands ring finger, the same finger it had resided on when he wore it.

He holds my hand up, his eyes showing the sadness that he was obviously trying to disguise. I shudder with agony, my tears streaming down my face and again landing on his. His hand slowly drops down against his chest and I cry out into the twilight. Burying my face in his cloak, I pull him closer, watching as my tears mingle with his blood. I was too late.

Maybe I should never get up.

To have him be the last thing I touch.

Such a sweet thought.

I sit up and stair down at his lifeless face, my tears cold and finally starting to slow down. I can't do that, I realize, brushing some of his hair out of his face. I can't let his murderer get away with this.

It can't end here.

I lean forward and kiss his icy cheek. Slowly, I stand up, not moving my eyes from his face. The face of the person I love more than anything else. The tears stop falling and anger fills my tear drenched heart.

I'm done playing.

I can't lose him.

Stars shine down on me through thin leaves as I travel the small forest path, trying to keep my steps quick and silent- I can't loose him. The night air whirls around me, cooling my face, but slowing down my progress. Anger pulls through me, trying to command my better judgment; how could I let this happen? How could I be so useless at such an important time? Why did I hold back? I try to push my emotions aside and focus on the ground ahead of me; he's been here recently.

My body pumps with the adrenaline of the hunt, my speed becomes better and I find it easier to run against the pushing winds than it would have been otherwise. My eyes quickly dart around for any signs of my target; how far ahead have I let him get? How much time lapsed before I finally began to chase after him? The cloak billows around me, partially blending into my surroundings.

Gradually, the forest thins and a small field begins to open into my view. Perfect. Hopefully my target will be within sight now. Distant memories of his face flash through my already troubled mind, and I fight to force them away. What he has done is far beyond forgivable, I think to myself, anything that I have ever thought about him has to be wiped out of my memory- there's no other choice.

The clearing comes into full view, and with it, a dark figure in the distance. Standing alone, it faces the nearly full moon, their back turned to me. The weary wind rushes about, dancing around and playing with the clothing of the figure. Those clothes- it's him. Gradually, I slow my pace down to a walk, anger ripping through me tells me to kill him now, but I restrain myself. At twenty five feet's distance, I stop. The rocks beneath my feet shuffle noisily and I know that he is aware of my presence.

Slowly, he straightens his posture and turns to me, looking like nothing more than a black silhouette against the night. He slides his hands into his pockets and begins to slowly walk towards me, his steps turning up more of the small stones. Watching closely, I search him for any threatening motions- nothing. As he gets closer- his facial features become clearer and play a smile. Secretly, I retrieve one of my kunai.

"You'll be sorry you stopped here," I say, my voice tense and angry. I keep my eyes on him. He continues with his small nonchalant smile and stops, merely ten feet from me.

"Sakura," he begins in a relaxed tone, "the only thing I regret is not killing him sooner." He shrugs and smirks at me. My anger tares away at me- I can't hold back much longer- can I? I shed my cloak, making it easier to move.

"Sasuke, you've messed with the wrong person," I say in a low tone, tightening my grip on the kunai. I've held back long enough! Quickly, I charge at him, the wind whipping violently through my hair. As I get within two feet's distance of him, he's gone.

I look around quickly, then feel my arms being pulled back and held behind me. Sasuke holds them with just one of his hands and rests the other on my right shoulder. He pulls me back against him, memories of Itachi flash through my mind, Sasukes breath warm on my bare neck.

I try to struggle- I have to get out of this! I have to kill him! I can't just let him get away with this! I try to slip my arms out of his grip, but find it impossible. Have I not changed at all after two years? Am I really this useless? His warm breath weakens me, and I find my strength diminish even further, when the breath is joined by a voice.

"Sakura," he starts, his voice barely a whisper. I try to keep my thoughts straight, but find it difficult. "You're just an operative Sakura, you can get out of this." He says softly, his lips inches from my ear.

"I'm not in anything I want to get out of," I say, trying to think through what I was saying as it came out of my mouth. He loosens his grip, then turns me to face him.

"What do you mean?" he asks, I could hear the disbelief he was trying to hide. Confusion played on his pale features.

"Well, first of all, I'm not 'just an operative' anymore," I begin, feeling my energy come back. "Thanks to you- I'm a member." I hold up my right hand and show him the ring that now was on it. I wait for a moment as I watch what I had just said sink into his mind. " And secondly," I say pushing his hands off of me, "I want to be." Sasuke remains silent for a moment, and a little thunder is heard in the distance, a storm is approaching- but I ignore this.

"You didn't have to accept it," he says silently, setting his sight on the ground ahead of us. I keep his eyes on him, my silence remaining. My eyes travel on his face. It's been two years since I've last seen those eyes this close to my own, and last time they were filled with rage.

So much has changed, almost to a point where it's like we've switched attitudes. His eyes are distant and thoughtful, I find myself becoming trapped in them. Sakura! Keep your mind right! You can't let him distract you! I back away from him, remembering what he has done. I feel the anger flow back into me, now at full force.

He finally breaks the silence, "Why?" he asks in an almost emotionless tone. I feel hot tears cry out to escape, but I push them back and the anger seeps into my heart.

"You killed the one I loved," I state, clenching my hand into a tight fist. Sasuke's face goes blank with shock and disbelief.

"You loved Itachi?" he asks. I drive my fist into his face.