She stood in the rain, clothes clinging to her body, and her hair draping over her face as she stared absent-mindedly at the stream below her. Her eyes closed, feeling every drop of water as it gently rolled down her face and arms.

She had watched him leave. She had stood by as he disappeared from her life, and now he reappears and she is supposed to be okay with that?

Of course, Naruto had tried to make it the way it was five years ago, but Sakura knew better than that. Things would never be the same. Sasuke had changed and Sakura wasn't sure if it was for the better.

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"Today is the day," Sakura told herself quietly as she stared in her bedroom mirror. Today was in fact the day. It was the first day that Team 7 was being officially reunited after five long years of separation.

How weird could it be? It's probably going to be just like it always has been. Sakura tried to persuade herself. She hadn't seen Sasuke since they had dragged him back from Orochimaru's cold, manipulative grip. How much has he changed?

Sakura pulled on her gloves, tied on her forehead protector, and headed downstairs. So deep in her thoughts, Sakura only followed her feet along the dreadfully familiar path to the Team 7 meeting spot.

"Sakura-chan!"

Sakura looked up to a smiling face that she was almost glad to see. Naruto stood waving, nearly jumping up and down with enthusiasm.

"Hello, Naruto-kun." Sakura smiled half-heartedly at the goofy boy who still acted five. He did not seem worried at all.

"What's wrong, Sakura? Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm just… worried. You know what I mean?" Sakura didn't think he would, but at least she could try to explain her feelings to him.

"Yeah. I do," Naruto said to Sakura's surprise. "But don't be upset, Sakura. I'm sure everything is going to be fine." Sakura was not so sure, but she appreciated Naruto's optimism. It gave her the light of hope.

"I sure hope so, Naruto. It's just… been so long."

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Sasuke followed slowly behind Kakashi as the headed down the familiar path. His head was hung low as people passing by in the streets stared and whispered. He even received a few dirty looks. He had assumed he would be getting this treatment after betraying them all, but he still felt uncomfortable in their unforgiving gaze.

"Just ignore them." Kakashi seemed to be sympathetic, a trait that he rarely let show. Sasuke felt some comfort in his words, but still could not lift his chin.

Sasuke feared that his friends would act the same cold, unforgiving way. He could not even forgive himself, especially for trying to hurt them. They had come to help him, to save him, and he repaid them by attempting to take their lives? He saw the pain in their eyes that day, especially Sakura's.

She had seen the monster he had become; power hungry enough to kill his best friends. He regretted that most of all.

Soon the bridge was in view and Sasuke could make out the figures of Naruto and Sakura leaning over the railing, talking to each other. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to turn around and lock himself in his room, but his feet carried him forward. Deep inside, he wanted to be with them, like it always had been. He missed them, whether he chose to show it or not.

As soon as his friends had noticed him approaching, Sasuke hid behind Kakashi, afraid of their response, his head still hanging low. He had lost his proud and arrogant stance. Kakashi stopped moving as they stood in front of the rest of his team.

"Sasuke-teme!" Sasuke looked up just in time to see a blur of orange speeding in his direction. He was quickly pulled into a bear hug, his ribs getting crushed under the pressure.

"Get off me, you dobe!"

"You're back!" Naruto exclaimed as he slowly released his grip. "You're finally back!" As much as Sasuke tried to act unfazed by Naruto's act of affection, he was rejoicing inside knowing that he still had his best friend by his side. Now for the hardest part.

Sasuke looked past his beaming friend to look into waiting emerald eyes. What if she hasn't forgiven me? Sasuke tried hard to not to think of the possibility.

"Sakura…"

"Sasuke." The tone of her voice was not angry, but to Sasuke it felt accusing and cold. He looked down. Has she not forgiven me? Is she that upset?

Sakura had been thinking of what she would say to him. She still loved him deep down in her heart, but she had been suppressing her emotions for him for so long that it was hard to relive them. Had it been five years ago, she would be all over him. Sakura was no longer a swooning fan girl. Sasuke was not the only one who had changed.

Although Sasuke had just responded normally to Naruto, now he looked timid and upset, like a child being scolded. Sakura couldn't help but feel sorry for him. She took a few steps forward, put her arms around Sasuke's shoulders and pulled him into a friendly, sympathetic hug.

Sasuke was confused. Is she mad at me or not? But soon forgot his worries and returned her hug. Oddly enough, Sakura was not surprised. He had changed, maybe for the better, but she still couldn't have feelings for him. Not after having moved on so long ago…

"So what now, do we have a mission, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto seemed to act like nothing happened.

"No, Naruto. The rest of the day is yours to get reacquainted with each other. Have fun." Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving his team alone. Sasuke looked back at Sakura, still wondering what was going in her head.

Sakura walked past Sasuke over to Naruto. "Want to go get some food?" She seemed to be talking to only Naruto. Sasuke observed this painfully.

"Would I ever! C'mon, let's go!" Naruto sped off and Sakura slowly followed. Sasuke stood still, head hung, feeling rejected and alone. He did not want to return to this.

"Hey, teme! Are you coming?" Sasuke looked up to see Naruto waiting for him. Sasuke must have looked puzzled, because Naruto continued, "Come on, slow poke! I'm hungry!" Sasuke took that as his invitation, though he wanted it to come from someone else.

"Don't let your head explode, you dobe. I'm coming." He pretended not to notice the blank stare on Sakura's face as he caught up with his team.

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