Disclaimer: I own nothing from Naruto, and below are quoted lines from the manga, chapter 699.

Chapter 1:

Sakura watched while Kakashi spoke with Sasuke about being pardoned and why. The wind lightly ruffled his obsidian locks, brushing gently across his forehead and highlighting his mismatched eyes. His stoicism was the same as always while he accepted the responsibility for his actions and affirmed that he was about to embark alone to atone for his sins. She couldn't just let him leave like this.

"Tsunade-sama's just about to complete your prosthetic hand from Hashirama-sama's cells…"

Surely he could at least wait until he had two hands again and they could all know he would be able to hold his own without a doubt. She knew he was ridiculously strong and could take care of himself, but everyone had to sleep. Everyone had moments where they weren't entirely focused on the outside world, where they were vulnerable to stealth and trickery. Sakura would breathe easier if he could perform hand signs and protect himself.

"I...I need to see it for myself. How the world works. All those things I've overlooked, I have a feeling I'd be able to see them better now...and if I miss this chance...I don't think another will come. Plus, there's a few things that have been bothering me."

NO. He couldn't do this to her again. He had to know how she felt, how heartbreaking it would be to watch him turn his back on her and walk away again. Walk away from everything they could have and share together. There was no way she could just let him walk away without asking him once again, offering herself up one last time. If he refused this time, she would try to move on, try to give up. Try being the operative word. She'd never get over the rejection. It had been one thing when he had rejected her offer of companionship before. They had been young, her weak to his strong, and they had been naive. Now, he had fought with her, seen her strength. She had had his back, and he hers. She had saved him and Naruto from their own stupidity and arrogance. He had apologized to her, for everything. That had to mean something. It just had to. It was now or never, shannaro!

"What...If I told you...that...I'd like...to come...too?..."

Oh goodness. The look on his face didn't exactly change, but Sakura was able to notice the signs of tension in his face. The slight widening of his eyes, the miniscule dropping of his jaw, and the sudden rigor mortis that seemed to over take his entire body. She'd messed up. There was no way he was going to agree to take her with him. He was going to reject her offer, again, and she was really going to have to give up on the love of her life. She hadn't really thought out her offer, just knew that if she let him leave without offering something, she would regret it for the rest of her existence. It had been impulsive and desperate, and she braced herself for the impact of his rejection even as she peeked up at him and met his steady gaze. His eyes closed...here it comes.

"It's my road to redemption. You have nothing to do with my sins."

Her shoulders slumped and she quickly cast her sight to the ground to prevent him from seeing her pain. Sakura was painfully aware of the silent figure of Kakashi standing awkwardly next to her. She had no idea where the words came from as she responded.

"Nothing to do...you say…"

The feeling of fingers tapping her forehead startled her as her head shot up to lock gazes with Sasuke. Ebony and violet met sparkling green.

"I guess another member along the journey wouldn't be so bad, as long as the Dobe doesn't decide he needs to come as well."

Sakura couldn't believe her ears. That hadn't been a rejection, right? He had actually agreed to take her with him...she was going to be traveling alone...with Sasuke. ALONE.

Well, fuck.