Disclaimer: I own nothing. That genius is Kishimoto.:)

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

During the day I waited, watching Oto through the trees. Masking my chakra, I sat in the branches all day, mere feet from the open.

As much as I hated the idea, I had to go back. We needed that scroll or the mission would be a failure. In all likelihood I would meet Sasuke again in the tent, and as much as I loathed the notion, my duty came first to my emotions.

I had grown, and my emotions had to stay under control. Somehow, though, he always seemed to be able to rub me in just the wrong way, to crawl into my skin like an itch I couldn't be rid of.

Never again would I let him see how much he still tortured me. It was one thing to admit he had hurt me in the past, but never more than that.

As the sky darkened, though, I prepared myself for a fight. My obligation was to retrieve the scroll or redo it, killing anyone in my path. I was an ANBU, and that was what I was meant for. To protect Konoha.

I waited until the town had stilled, and the quiet world of night had settled. Sasuke had to know I was coming back, so I had to prepared as well.

He would kill me, but first he would have to catch me. My emotions could make me strong, and I'd learned how to use them to my advantage.

I couldn't be rid of them, no matter how I tried, but I could siphon them for a purpose.

The mask served no real purpose any more, so I discarded it. My face was my mask tonight.

The rest of the missing-nin in Oto were likely waiting for me as well. My chances were practically none, but if I was to die, I would die fighting. Not meek and whimpering his name.

Swing lightly from the edge of the woods, my pale skin reflected the eerie light of the moon. Even though most of the dangers would be in the tent I was heading to, I still took precautions of stealth.

I completely hid my chakra, and watched the motionless camp with an a disbelieving eye.

With each quick leap, the tent grew closer, but it seemed in slow motion. I could control the rest, but my heart pounded erratically as I slipped inside, standing tall.

A hand to my kunai strap, I waited for an attack from the shadows, but none came. Instead, a low rumble reached me. My eyes flicking to the left corner, I spotted pale skin with two orbs of black fire, meeting his stare.

Not looking away, I swept my peripheral vision for the scroll, slowly taking out a single kunai.

He hadn't raised the alarm as I'd thought. He was seemingly alone.

"If I'd wanted you dead I would have killed you while you sat in that tree all day. I already told you, I am curious and under truce."

To convey his words, he stepped forward, revealing the scroll in the palm of his hand.

Suspicion flashed across my face before I swept it away. Without breaking his gaze, I reached for the paper, careful not to touch his skin.

His hand had my forearm before I could react, "I'm coming back. Under truce. You are my proof."

His words both sank into my mind like a drug, and chilled me to the core. The feel of his hot but cold flesh actually calmed my racing heart, but I nonetheless tried to wrench my arm from his grasp.

He simply stepped closer, dark eyes intense and threatening wordlessly. Hating it, I nodded minutely, my face as hard and feral as my mask.

I would never let him hurt me again.

He saw the force and threat in my harsh eyes and mouth as well, and, smirking, Sasuke pulled my arm closer before relinquishing his hold on me.

"What about your teammates?"

I tucked the scroll into my belt, closing my eyes for a second to control my furor.

"I left a missive to tell them I had clan business," he said carelessly, though I knew he understood my inflection.

Without another word, I made to leave, finally being able to turn my back to him and not look back to see if he was following.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Since he assumed I was the weaker, he let me set the pace, not wanting his 'proof' to be in any way debilitated. Finding a swift gait, though, we soon reached Konoha with barely any more contact than to pass the stew bowl.

When we reached the forest on Konoha's border, two jounin guards appeared to escort Sasuke in. I nodded my thanks to them, and took my leave without a glance to the man who'd broken my heart.

As I entered the gates, Naruto came into sight, "Sakura-chan!"

He hugged me, and laughed. He had been on a mission when id left on mine so it had been a while since I'd seen him. Smiling, I returned the embrace.

"Ichiraku's?" my best friend asked after we began to walk up the hill.

"Definitely," I replied, his happiness infecting me. My smile faltered as I felt someone watching me. My gaze left Naruto for a second, and rested on Sasuke, who'd arrived in the village gates.

Naruto's eyes followed mine, and soon he was walking me even faster, his hand protectively behind my back, an hard glint to his smile now.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Hi again:) I know I said the next chapter would be longer, but it just felt right to rest here. I updated twice in 24 hours, though! The big agreement comes up in the next chapter, so stay tuned!(I always wanted to say that) Also, I didn't plan for Naruto to have romantic feelings for Sakura, but if you guys want him to, let me know. Review to tell me whether or not he should be like a brother or...not. Thanks, and any thoughts at all are greatly appreciated. Oh, and to everyone who reviewed(christina51879, haliz, C.A.M.E.O.1 and Only, Saiya-San, and Pibinezz) I luv ya!