Okay, here's the third chapter! I really want to thank the reviewers. ^_^ they make me so happy. This is all from Sasukes POV, so things might be a little iffy.

I want to say thank you to

XxRoseLoverxX tigers-and-dragons Twisted Musalih

For being the first three to review. Thank you to all reviewers! You guys made my day brighter.

"Sakuras thoughts"/ flash backs, I'll make sure you can tell the difference…somehow

"Inner Sakura thoughts SHANNARO!"

Normal

All Naruto characters are copyright of Masashi Kishimoto

Sasuke was tired. He was having a tiresome battle when all of a sudden Naruto showed up. To think he would show up of all places. Not just him,

but some others of Rookie 9. Neji Hyuuga was there, along with Shikamaru Nara. Chouji Akimichi and Kiba Inuzuka were also apparently on the

same platoon. Sasuke thought it was funny. If he remembered correctly the same platoon tried 5 years ago to persuade him back. Now they

actually succeeded. He felt a little surprised. Sasuke thought they would leave him alone, seeing him as a lost comrade. But just as his enemy was

about to strike, they came to his defense…not that he couldn't defend himself. Sure the teamwork and cooperation was flawless, but he

suspected it was mainly because of Naruto. The idiot still hadn't given up on him.

He blinked, and before his eyes they were tossing his opponent around like a rag doll. Shikamaru had him bound is his Shadow Possession Jutsu,

from there Inuzuka had pulled off his Fang Over Fang combo with his animal companion. As the enemy flew through the air, the Akimichi stood

ready to crush him in his large hands. After a severe beating, Hyuuga did his clan pride by sealing off his chakra points in record time. As if that

wasn't enough, Naruto finished him off with a bruising Uzumaki Barrage. Sasuke almost felt pity for the man.

However he didn't have time to be pitying people. Sasuke gave the signal to his team to flee. Team Hebi gave him questioning looks but didn't

disobey him. As they retreated Naruto was in swift pursuit. Sasuke leapt from tree to tree while doing the handsigns for summoning. He called a

few snakes and told them to hold back Naruto. As he shortly gave the command he heard a sickening crunch. As Sasuke looked back he saw

Naruto rising from a pile of snake skin on the floor. Idiot.

He looked around for his team and to his disbelief, saw Jugo being held back by Chouji. Suigetsu was being tied down by Shikamaru and Karin was being restrained by Akamaru while Kiba was nodding his satisfactory. He turned around to see Neji attack him, dodging easily he retreated to a tree branch. All of a sudden he felt a presence, he turned around to catch a glimpse of Naruto. It was too late, he had already blacked.

When Sasuke woke up he was in chains, surrounded by anbu and had Narutos back to him. He considered attacking all of them all of them and escaping, however he knew nothing of his current platoon. Knowing his home village, they probably were being interrogated by now. Naruto interrupted his thoughts.

"Teme, you are going back to Konoha if it's the last thing I do. You said you couldn't be strong in such a weak place. But I guess the ironic thing is, because you left, I was able to become stronger."

"Baka, is that the whole reason why you train so hard? Just to beat me? Such a pitiful reason could never lead to you to power."

"Sasuke…power isn't the only thing. The reason why you fight is just as important. Sakura-chan and I try to become stronger to bring you back. But I guess once your revenge is over, you won't have a reason anymore will you? Ne, Sasuke."

Sasuke had no reply. He was about to ask what he knew about his vengeance when Naruto cut through his thoughts again.

"We're taking you to Baa-chan right now. I don't think you should give that attitude. Even after all these years, she's still packs a punch."

Naruto threw open the doors and for once didn't yell at the Hokage. He spoke with sincerity and a solemness Sasuke didn't know he possessed. As Naruto gave his parting words, he stared Sasuke directly in the eye.

"Teme, this is what's best."

The Godaime was not merciful. Sasuke expected this. Soon after a long lecture, he was told to step outside the office. The anbu lead him to a

separate chamber not once letting him out of their sight. Shortly he was told to enter the office again. As he walked in he thought he recognized

that mass of pink hair. Sasuke couldn't resist as he drawled "Long time no see, Sakura." Smirking, he knew she would run and greet him. She

would hug and declare her undying love. Well that was the way it was supposed to happen. Instead the girl just flinched. That was not supposed

to happen. Sakura was not supposed to flinch. The flinch turned into trembles. Oh, so she didn't flinch, she was just trembling from excitement.

After five seconds she stopped. All of a sudden her back straightened, and she whirled around to face him. Sasuke raised an eyebrow. There

were no tears, no worried expression. In fact her eyes had a hard look as she examined him.

"Shishou, this will interfere with my rounds at the hospital, how will that be taken care of?" She said, slowly approaching Sasuke.

"We will manage, but never mind that Sakura, make me proud."

"Hai!" She stopped about 3 feet in front of Sasuke.

Sakura turned and asked Tsunade

"Has his chakra been sealed yet?"

"No, I haven't the energy today, so I'll leave it up to you Sakura."

She nodded. Sasuke didn't think he heard that right. She could seal his chakra? Tsunade, the great medic, fifth hokage trusted this little girl?

Another thing, since when did she become Tsunades pupil? Perhaps Sasuke was wrong in thinking that everyone would embrace him back as if

nothing had happened. Before he knew it, Sakura had pulled out a scroll and there was a sealing circle around him. As he felt his chakra being cut

off, he still couldn't believe that Sakura had come this far. He barely heard the Godaime order Sakura to stay over at his house. However, the next

statement really shocked Sasuke.

"Walk next to me, you will stay within my eyesight at all times, attack me and you will suffer the consequences. After two monthes, you will be

given a trial…" she barked. He also heard her mumble about if he left again because he was a jack-ass. This was not right to Sasuke. The girl who

cried bitter tears at his departure, who begged him to take her with him on his journey, just told him she would kick his ass if he acted out of line.

After inquiring about the chunin exams, he promptly left. He heard Sakura let off a string of colorful curse words and hurry after him. He smirked

and walked knowing she wouldn't do anything about this. Right as he neared the corner he felt a powerful flick which sent him crashing into the

wall in front of him. Frankly Sasuke was intruiged. He felt a flick with the destructive power of a blow. Refusing to let Sakura see his surprise,

Sasuke tried to taunt her.

"Sakura, I thought we were teammates. What happened to Team 7?" He drawled.

"Next time Uchiha, I won't be as gentle. Lets go, I want this as over as soon as possible."

With such a scathing reply, Sasuke grunted and walked obediently. He sighed, this was going to be tough with the new Sakura.

* * *

As they entered his house, Sasukes mind drifted toward his old memories of Team 7. He mentally shook his head. He had those memories locked up, they were too painful to think about. Severing bonds would be the best. Once they betrayed you, the pain was too great to bear. As Sasuke was cleaning up his room, he noticed Sakura walk in. She picked up his old picture of Team 7 and she smiled at him.

"Welcome home."

Those two words broke loose his memories of Team 7 and the bitter thoughts of the old days. He dropped to the ground. Sakura knelt down next to him.

"Sakura….why…why do you and Naruto keep coming after me?"

"We can't let a comrade and a friend fall Sasuke, you should know that. Naruto trained so hard because of you. I don't know what it's like being

lonely. I can understand only so much. I've been bullied a lot, but that's nothing compared what you guys been through. It made me feel selfish

that you guys were always protecting me. You and Naruto have been through a lot… yet you're stronger than a lot of the people I know. Heh,

slowing everyone down is the only thing I ever did for you guys. You may not realize it, but I guess being with you guys has made me a better

person."

Sasuke remained silent as he slowly thought about her words. Sakura went on.

"Now that I think about it, I must have been really annoying. Ne, Sasuke?"

Sasuke said nothing as he looked at the girl next to him. So she didn't completely change. For some reason Sasuke felt relieved. Why did he feel relieved?

Sakura decided she would be heading out to deliver a report, reluctantly Sasuke had to follow. As they passed the stalls and vendors he heard a familiar cry.

"TEME!!"

They turned to see Naruto, Kakashiand some weird boy. Sakura ran to greet them.

"Kaka-sensei, Sai, and Naruto! What are you guys doing here?"

"Dickless dragged us here for ramen" said the boy named Sai bluntly.

"Oi, Sai. Urusai." Naruto snapped.

"Domo" greeted his former sensei. However Kakashi was eyeing him wearily. Sasuke suspected his teacher was as shrewd as ever.

"Yosh! Ichiraku ramen for dinner tonight! Nee Sakura-chan lets go!"

"As long as you're paying. Get your ass over here Sasuke, you too Sai. Kaka-sensei you're coming with us whether you like it or not."

With that Sakura marched ahead of her teammates. As they ate ramen, the atmosphere was unusually calm and friendly. Sasuke wondered if his former teammates' laughter were genuine.

"Oi, Sasuke. Snap out of it. This is the the first time we have spent time together as a team, and you're sulking. Don't give me that scowl. Naurto help me out here."

"But Sakura-chan, his face always has that mean look."

God he couldn't believe this idiot. He had only been back in Konoha for a few hours and he was already acting like the old days. Sasuke mentally smiled. May Konoha didn't really change that much.

Ohh that was a bad chapter. I need to make my future chapters longer. Whenever I see the scroll for the page of the chapter, it makes me feel

unaccomplished. But that chapter could have been better. Remember this is from Sasukes POV, not Sakuras sassy thoughts. Ill throw in the

SasuXSaku later, because Sasuke will always awaken to his feelings slowly. Review please!! That's right. Press that button below. Remember,

you get a cookie! Thanks for reading.