"Get some sleep."

Sakura nodded and curled up by the fire. He watched her from a nearby tree for over an hour before he realized she wasn't going to sleep.

Sasuke noticed his shirt was way too big for her and reached her knees; though it served its purpose in covering her, it didn't keep her warm enough. The cold must have been keeping her awake. It would have been much simpler if she would just have gone to sleep. He felt guilty for getting her wet, but wasn't sure what he should do. He had no idea how Sakura truly felt about him anymore and didn't really want to find out. He let out a slight growl as he made up his mind and jumped down from the branch.

Already regretting his decision, Sasuke sat down behind Sakura and pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. She was so small it wasn't hard for him to keep her warm when she was so close to him. She didn't say a word which he was grateful for. Her whole body was tense, like she wasn't sure how to react. She didn't fight him though, which he had almost expected. He partly wished she had; wished she was angry with him instead of willing to do everything he wanted. He was regretfully aware this was not a typical Sakura attribute and it was only with him she was so passive.

"Go to sleep," Sasuke said, his voice emotionless.

Sakura didn't know what to think. She wanted to believe that somewhere in his heart, Sasuke cared and that was why he was doing this… but she just wasn't sure. She had been very cold and he had known it… her dying might jeopardize his mission and that was probably all this was, nothing more.

Much warmer than she had been, and much more comfortable against Sasuke's chest, she let herself relax and closed her eyes. She was held steady by his knees and arms making it easy to drift off. In the recesses of her mind, she could have sworn she felt Sasuke rest his chin on the top of her head. As she felt this happen, she muttered, "Sasuke."

When Sakura awoke the world was rushing by. She was once again in Sasuke's arms while he ran at lightning speed through the forest. As much as she liked being close to him, she didn't particularly like being carried. She felt dizzy. She also noticed he had taken his shirt back.

"You really don't have to carry me you know," she mumbled.

"You were sleeping."

"Sasuke… Why are you doing this? I mean, I get the idea that Orochimaru sent you, but what does he want with me?"

Sasuke seemed irritated about something she said and took a minute to respond.

"If you knew Orochimaru wanted you, why did you come with me so willingly?"

Sakura closed her eyes. "I'd do anything for you Sasuke. I get the feeling you wouldn't just be running Oroshimaru's errands for nothing. So you had a reason for doing this… and if I can make it any easier on you, then I will."

She wasn't sure she wanted to hear what he had to say to that, or even if he had nothing to say, so she changed the subject.

"Sasuke, put me down, I can run on my own," she pleaded.

Surprisingly, he stopped immediately and let go of her. She could tell now that he was beyond exhaustion. She wasn't sure how he kept going.

"How long have you been awake?"

Sasuke glared at her and didn't answer.

"You haven't slept since you started tailing us have you?" Sakura accused.

Again, Sasuke ignored her, but that was answer enough.

"We're almost there. There's no point in stopping now," he said.

Sakura looked up at the sky and realized it was already about noon. She had slept all morning while Sasuke carried her after being awake for four days.

"You didn't have to carry me," Sakura said quietly.

"Let's go," he said, leaving her.

Sakura followed him for a good forty minutes. She was barely able to keep up with him, and she was under the impression he was going slower either so she could keep up or because he was so tired. Finally, he stopped in a thick, dark part of the forest where they stood at the bottom of a stone cliff.

Sasuke raised his hand and muttered something she couldn't hear causing the rock to shift to create an entranceway. For the first time since she had left with Sasuke, she felt scared. He turned to watch her, but made no move to force her to go inside. He knew he didn't have to and he was right.

Sakura quietly stepped inside the dark entryway and felt Sasuke close behind her. When they came to a division in the halls, Sasuke would press his hand to her back to guide her in the right direction. He couldn't possibly know how that felt to her, because if he did, she was certain he wouldn't do it.

He stopped her at a door and went inside. She followed him and realized she was in his room. There were very few things in it. His bed, another kusanagi, various weapons and ninja tools as well as an untouched sound ninja headband.

Sakura glared at this last item and briefly felt anger towards Sasuke for the first time. She suddenly felt his eyes on her and jerked her head over to look at him. His expression was hard and unreadable and she felt her anger fade instantly. He did, however, follow her previous gaze to the headband. He looked away and opened the closet door.

Sakura felt her heart tear at what Sasuke was willing to do to avenge his clan. She felt like she knew what kind of person he could have been… what he should have been… Loyalty was definitely one of his qualities. It was fierce and infallible when it came to his clan. He would do anything— even sacrifice his own life out of this loyalty to those he loved. That was a quality she could respect and understand... one he could not extend so freely to the living. She just wished he understood it was the same quality that drove her to protect him… Even at the expense of her life. She understood that his loyalty to Konoha was gone and to Naruto and herself, it was hanging by a thread. Though as much as he tries to sever that thread, it won't break… that is what makes her certain she can succeed.

Sasuke threw a pair of his black pants to her and a shirt. It seemed he had a closet full of them. She put on the oversized clothes and realized there was no mirror in the room. She sighed and sat down at the end of the bed to roll up the bottom of the pants and tie the shirt tighter so it wasn't as baggy. Realizing Sasuke wasn't moving, she looked up to see him leaning against the wall with his eyes closed tightly. He seemed to be debating something with himself.

He sighed and closed the door to the room beore he locked it. He seemed resigned as he made his way over to the bed and sat down.

Sakura had never seen him so worn out. No matter what he was always on guard, and even now he was no different.

"You know I won't do anything stupid… You can relax Sasuke. I realize I'm no match for you; besides, its not as if I didn't follow you here on my own accord," Sakura said, hoping he would let down his guard a little.

He didn't acknowledge he ever heard her as he pulled the rope from around his waist and dropped it to the floor along with the cloth it held. His Kusanagi was set against the wall and Sakura felt relieved that he seemed to relax a little.

She looked at him as he lay down on the bed. His eyes remained open, not really seeing anything. He didn't seem like he ever really slept; his mind was too active and troubled to allow for rest.

It made her want to cry when she realized the pain and torment he endured. It wasn't fair… and she wished he would let her get closer. She would never hurt him like that, but he was unreachable, or so it seemed. In a dark place that he would never let her enter. She noticed the deep gash on his cheek for the first time.

"Where did that cut come from," she asked, thinking cut hardly described it.

"Training," Sasuke said, the memory leaving a scowl on his face.

"You mean Orochimaru did it." Sakura stated.

Sasuke almost flinched as she scooted closer to the head of the bed and rested her hand on his cheek where the gash was.

"What are you doing?" he asked threateningly.

Sakura ignored him and emitted glowing chakra from her hand. Sasuke touched his cheek when she moved her hand and realized that she had healed it. So she had become a medic nin. It definitely suited her.

"At least you haven't been wasting your time," he said, looking back at the ceiling.

"You can go to sleep you know," she said quietly after a moment.

"I don't sleep well."

"Why not?"

Sasuke looked over to her slowly. The truth was, he didn't trust anyone here. He was always on guard, thinking he was going to get stabbed in the back. It made him feel strange that Sakura was sitting there telling him to relax and that she would be there. He was used to being alone. He had learned that depending on someone only ended in pain. So why was he suddenly feeling more relaxed in her presence? He sighed, realizing the answer was obvious. Regardless of everything, he trusted her.

Sakura watched as Sasuke fell asleep and couldn't resist the urge to be close to him again. Afterall, she had no idea what was in store for her once he woke up. She might not see him again. So she gave into her desire and rested her head on Sasuke's chest, pulling herself onto him. She wished she could stay there forever and soon drifted into a light state of unconsciousness.

"Well, aren't you two just adorable."

Sasuke immediately opened his eyes and glared at the intruder.

"Orochimaru wants to see you… and the girl."

Sasuke watched Kabuto leave and then noticed Sakura passed out on top of him. He could feel her heart beating since she was wrapped so tightly around him. He almost didn't want to move. Almost.

Only for a moment had she felt good. Now she was just making his uncomfortable. He pushed her to the side and got up, reassembling his attire. Sakura too awoke and seemed to know what was happening.

"Let's go," Sasuke said, leaving the room.

Sakura felt an overwhelming sense of dread as she followed Sasuke down the dark corridor. No wonder he was always in such a bad mood. She would be too if she lived here.

They soon arrived at Orochimaru's door. Sasuke seemed to hesitate a moment before entering without a single glance at Sakura. The room was even darker than the halls with only two torches to light the vast space of the room. Before them, Orochimaru appeared.

"Sasuke. I see you have done as told. I knew you would," he said.

Sasuke didn't say anything. In fact, he seemed angry, but Sakura couldn't tell why.

"Tell me, have you not yet figured out why I asked you to bring her here?"

Sasuke's glare deepened as Orochimaru spoke but he didn't say anything. Sakura got the feeling that Sasuke knew what he was talking about though.

Orochimaru turned his gaze towards Sakura making her sigh inwardly. He was as despicable as she remembered and couldn't understand how Sasuke could stand to be near him for so long.

Sakura watched as Orochimaru released chakra from his hand and showered her in it. At first she felt fear, not knowing what he was doing to her, but it was over before she had time to panic. She glanced down at herself and noticed her old outfit had replaced Sasuke's clothes. It was the dress that Orochimaru would have remembered her in. On top of that, she noticed her hair was long, much longer than she had had it in years.

She looked up at him, clueless as to why he would do such a thing, when realization dawned on her as she saw Sasuke's expression.

He was looking at her like she was ultimately there to destroy him. Orochimaru didn't care about her at all… he cared about making sure Sasuke could overcome whatever ties he still had to Konoha and more specifically… to her.

There was no question now that there recent encounter had obviously affected Sasuke in some way that Orochimaru would find bothersome. Either Sakura's presence would break Sasuke, or it would make him stronger. Either way could be good or bad for her. But he could no longer go on the way he was and she hated knowing she was only going to make his life more difficult.

"Kabuto, take the girl back to Sasuke's room and make sure she can't leave when he isn't there," Orochimaru said.

Sasuke watched Kabuto lead Sakura from the room.

"It's for your own good, Sasuke. Once you are completely detached from her and Konoha completely, you will be able to have such power. I know that is important to you. That is why you need to take whatever it is you want from her and rid yourself of her for good. Get it out of your system. She will remain here with you as long as you like and until you are completely focused on your training once again. When the time comes, she will leave. Do you understand?"

Sasuke glared at Orochimaru with a hatred getting closer and closer to rivaling that of his hate for Itachi everyday.

"You made me do this simply because I faltered once during training?"

"Stop acting like you are upset. You are glad she is here and that is exactly what you are going to destroy in the coming weeks. "