Background- Team 7 (all age 17 for now) are in battle, slowly winning, last group goes after Sakura, but Sasuke jumps in front of her taking the blows, Naruto and Kakashi finish the attackers out of rage energy while Sasuke drops to the ground and falls unconscious.

Start -

Sakura drops to her knees, not sure what she should do. Her hands cover her mouth stopping the screams. She stretches her hand closer and closer to Sasuke's neck, fingers trembling with fear at what she might find out. A second before she gets the chance to find out, Kakashi grabs her by the wrist, a silent warning to stop. Kakashi kneels before the body of Sasuke and starts performing random tests. Sakura shakily gets to her feet and turns to run, colliding with Naruto. Having her escape route from reality blocked off all she can do is sink to her knees and cry, cry her silent tears. Naruto regards her and pats her back before going over to Kakashi. Sakura hears a strain of words.

*critical…body temperature dropping…needs shelter…*

Sakura sits rigid for a second, thoughts flying s she speedily looks at her surroundings. She had thought that they looked familiar . She jumps to her feet. "Wait!" Both Kakashi and Naruto turn to Sakura puzzled. "My parents," scans the area "have a summer cottage close to here; we can use that!

"How far?" Kakashi calmly refers, not wanting to get hopes up.

"Close, not even two miles, right behind that tree line." Kakashi gathers Sasuke in his arms and gives Sakura a not to tell her to lead the way. Sakura gulps and prays to her God that she's right.

Later that day -

Kakashi comes out of the little cottage. "He's going to be ok, I hope, but I'm going to always need someone to stay with him." His eyes rested on Sakura. "Who will take the first shift?" Before anyone could move Sakura's hand was up and was already going towards the house. Naruto opened his mouth to argue, but Kakashi raised his hand and whispered "Careful Naruto. Sakura feels responsible, let her be." Naruto nodded silently before going to pitch his tent.

"This is going to be a long day!"

Days later inside the house -

Kakashi stuck his head into the cottage to find Sakura holding Sasuke's hand tightly and sleeping with her head on the bed. Kakashi did what could only be assumed as a smile before walking in. He gently shook Sakura awake. "You deserve a break, go into the next room and get something to eat." Sakura stifled yawn, knowing there was no point in arguing with Kakashi, she stretched and went to the next room. Kakashi moved the chair to sit down, but the sudden movement and a slight noise caused Sasuke to open his eyes the first time in nearly 48 hours. Seeing Kakashi Sasuke relaxed and relieved the fighting tension left over form the battle. Kakashi started to explain to Sasuke what happened, but was interrupted by the drowsy unaware voice of Sasuke.

"Where's Sakura?" Sasuke was trying to sit up (unsuccessfully at that), but Kakashi stopped him and pushed him gently back down.

"Sakura's fine, no harm came to her because of you." Kakashi worded his sentences carefully. Sasuke smiled, relaxed, and calmly laid himself back down.

"Oh," a drunken appearance slides across his face (probably from being asleep for so long). "Good. I couldn't have handled it if something had happened to her." And with that Sasuke fell back to a sleep well needed. On the other side of the wall Sakura was leaning against the wall, every word heard. Not believing what she had heard. he does care! ran through her head over and over again. Sakura sank to the floor, food forgotten.

Kakashi walks into the little kitchen and sees Sakura sitting at the table deep in thought. "Sakura?" she jumps.

"Oh, Master Kakashi, you scared me!" He regards her answer, normally when people are frightened by simple things they know something they shouldn't, either that or their just chickens.

"Naruto is taking over your spot. You have sometime off." Sakura opens her mouth as if to argue, but thinks better of it, and closes it soundly.

"Alright, I'll leave for awhile then." Sakura grabs a bag that was resting by the nearby wall. Sakura walks quietly past Sasuke, looking sadly at him before exiting the room. Kakashi smiles, interesting…very interesting!



Sakura walks slowly out of the house then motioned for Naruto to go in side. She waited until Naruto was inside before breaking into a run, with tears running down her face. She didn't stop until she reached her spot. Her spot was an area of piled rocks over looking the lake, her favorite spot, on the very top. Once she was comfortably on the top she sat to contemplate her raging thoughts. She pulled her knees into her chest and rested her head on her knees. She remained that way for hours, all the while she was watched.