All characters within this fic are created and owned by Kishimoto Masashi

I'm not naïve, I expected changes, I knew there had been changes. After all I had seen that for myself, back when we had met again that time, in Orochimaru's underground lair.

I noticed the changes in their appearances, nothing really worth noting there. After all wasn't it to be expected we would all look slightly different.

Naruto's eyes sparkled with the same determination they always had, though he looked taller, leaner.

Back then I had mistaken the glittering in her eyes to be the beginnings of tears. My mind already dismissing Sakura as I watched my old teammate's reaction to hearing her name pass through my lips.

And in a perverse way I enjoyed her reaction.

Enjoyed the trembling of those lips. Enjoyed seeing the emotions she was feeling open for me to see in the glistening of her eyes. It thrilled me on some level to know that I could still affect her this way. Even after the way I had left them, even if the weakness she displayed before me disgusted me.

Her body may have changed, she may have looked stronger. But it seemed that mentally, she was still the weak, little girl I had left behind.

It wasn't until my return, until I watched her cling to the dobe, tears of relief washing down her face at his return, not mine. It wasn't until I watched those eyes once again. Watched as the tears disappeared and those glittering eyes I had seen once before returned, as she poured her chakra into his body healing him.

It was then I realized that those eyes she had shown me, were full of determination and strength, not sorrow and certainly not sadness. It wasn't until that moment that I realized maybe I had never really known the woman in front of me.

Yes, I had expected changes, but I have to say. The extent to which Haruno Sakura had changed, to me was unexpected.

Owari.

A.N

Ah yes, once again I realized I should be doing other things, but this just flew into my brain.

And after what two years? I still can't get the next installment of Destiny to sound the way I want it. Sigh maybe I'll get there one day.

K-H.