SASUKE P.O.V

I followed quietly behind the team members as they proceeded was different, being in the Anbu uniform i had once longed for as a child. It had fitted perfectly, the steel chestplate hugging me nicely. It was nice, that, for once, I had no desire to hurt anything. It was different, having other people to talk with. I looked down at my hands. They held so many scars; each marking the history of my youth. My teenage years had been washed away by hatred, something I found myself starting to regret more and more everyday.

I looked back up to see Karin and Suigetsu fighting again. They never gave up, did they? It was nice though, intresting to say the least. Every conversation they had turned into a fight. A lovers spat...? Hm. I could never see them together like that, but then again, I never really thought of people getting together. I had never concerned myself with love; yes, I have thought about the remaking of my clan; but honestly, I figured I'd be dead by now.

A short and defined whistle disturbed my thoughts, causing me to look up. Sakura stood on top of a tree stump, a head above everyone else. She carried herself proudly, unlike how she had as a child. I could tell that she now had honor, and even pride. The way people looked at her; everybody had hope.

"Okay," her voice rang out, "Well, camp here. We are close to the Sand Village, so we'll all have time to rest up for a couple of days then move out. We'll also restock supplies." She stopped talking and looked down to her subbordinates. One of which bowed respectfully before speaking out.

"Permission to speak?"

She combed a hand through her hair, closing her eyes mometarily. "Permission granted."

"Why are we stopping?" The voice belonged to a young man, maybe 16 at the oldest. His face could not be seen, for the mask that hung on it. "You said yourself that there might be people out there," he made a hand gesture, "People dying and fighting right now as we speak and you're saying we should just stay and rest?" His voice sounded so familiar...

"Ah, Konohomaru. You're just like how Naruto used to be." She looked at Naruto, who had his mask off. "Konohamuru, tell me something... If we ran into a fight without all of our chakra, who would be the dumbasses?" Her question recieved a few snickers. The kid stood there in thought before smiling and mouthing an 'Oh'.

A few of the men started setting up there tents, and Sakura walked over to Itachi as they began speaking to eachother, I watched as they conversed, curious as to why they were as close as they were. It disturbed me; and that i didn't like at all. It was weird that i would notice this, but believe me... I noticed.

I left a few moments later, heading to the nearby spring that gave the Sand their water for supplies. Their drinking water came from another river in the East. It was warm water and it easily washed the dirt off my face. I layed back looking up. It only took a few minutes before footsteps came. I sighed as Karin stopped near my body. She was weird. I never understood her love for me. I had tried to kill her (Yes, this is kept up with the current manga so if you have not read it beware of spoilers). Once she broke out of Kohona she came back, head down; all pride lost. Yet, she still liked me...?

"You must think I'm stupid." Her voice spoke finally breaking the silence. "I ... came back. I knew that you probably...k- hurt me." She looked at me, her eyes not showing useless longing, but instead regret. "I wanted to stay in Kohona, let them execute me ya know... but the Hokage, she...saved me." This time I looked at her; a mask of coolness covering my surprise. "Yeah, at the very last second. But she wasn't the one who wanted me to stay alive. It was the pink haired girl."

Sakura P.O.V

I noticed Sasuke leave. Itachi had been talking to me about the plan, but I wasn't really paying attention. I watched as Karin followed him. I wrinkled my nose, a habit that picked up from Kiba. I still don't know why I did what I did for her, but the past can't be undone. That is something I learned from long ago. I walked up to Naruto, passing him and then stopping. He kept looking straight, but stopped also.

"What do you think?" His voice was always calm im moments like this.

"We're being followed." I spoke quickly.

"The Sand?"

"No Gaara trusts me and you; plus he'd send word to the Hokage if he did."

"You don't think?"

"I don't know." i said, walking away. The whispers of our conversation lost in the nights' wind.